TV Confidential with Ed Robertson

ed robertson

TV CONFIDENTIAL: A radio talk show about television brings you lively conversations every week with the stars, writers, directors and other creative people behind the scenes of some of America's most popular shows. An engaging blend of talk and entertainment, TV Confidential often compares today’s programs with those of the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. read less

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TV CONFIDENTIAL trailer

TV CONFIDENTIAL trailer

Television is one of the few things that we have in common. Just about all of us has a favorite show that we either grew up watching or binge-watch today, or a favorite star whose career we continue to follow. That’s the premise behind TV CONFIDENTIAL, an engaging blend of talk and entertainment featuring lively conversations with the stars and other creative people behind the scenes of some of America's most popular TV shows. Originating from Los Angeles, CA, and hosted by award-winning, nationally known author Ed Robertson, TV CONFIDENTIAL not only features exclusive, in-depth interviews with such iconic stars as Jaclyn Smith (Charlie's Angels), Robert Wagner (Hart to Hart), Barbara Feldon (Get Smart), Eric Braeden (The Young and the Restless), Laraine Newman (Saturday Night Live), Louis Gossett, Jr. (Roots), Burt Ward (Batman), Ed Asner (Lou Grant), Nichelle Nichols (Star Trek), and Shirley Jones (The Partridge Family), but often compares today’s programs with those of the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s. That makes TV CONFIDENTIAL unlike any radio show or podcast on the air today. Check it out yourself and, if you like what you hear, please consider subscribing to our show or posting a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Episodes

Julie Rogers Pomilia on the legacy of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans

Julie Rogers Pomilia on the legacy of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans

TVC 675.1: Ed welcomes back Julie Rogers Pomilia, granddaughter of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans and the author of Your Heroes, My Grandparents: A Granddaughter’s Love, the storybook tale of a little girl who just happened to have two famous relatives and who cherished every moment that she spent with them. Julie also worked very closely with Steve Nycklemoe, director of operations for The Hollywood Museum, in putting together the Happy Trails exhibit, honoring the life and legacy of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, that is currently on display at the Museum. In this segment, Julie shares memories of hunting and skeet shooting with her grandfather, discusses why family was always important to Roy and Dale, and why Roy always took his responsibility to his fans very seriously.

Why Roy Rogers was the original Rhinestone Cowboy

Why Roy Rogers was the original Rhinestone Cowboy

TVC 675.2: Julie Rogers Pomilia, granddaughter of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans and the author of Your Heroes, My Grandparents: A Granddaughter’s Love, talks to Ed about how why Roy Rogers and Dale Evans came to adorn their costumes with rhinestones; Dale’s prolific writing career, which included thirty songs and many songs (including “Happy Trails” and “The Bible Tells Me So”); and why Roy and Dale didn’t always comprehend the impact of their lives and career on the public at large. The Happy Trails exhibit at The Hollywood Museum features a host of never before seen personal items from the Roy Rogers collection, including an impressive array of vivid color movie posters, personal furniture made for Roy and Dale by actor George Montgomery, plus vintage photos, collectibles, costumes, merchandise, and more. For tickets and more information, go to TheHollywoodMuseum.com.

The Ethos of Ryan’s Hope

The Ethos of Ryan’s Hope

TVC 675.3: Ed’s guests are Emmy Award-winning actress, screenwriter, and novelist Louise Shaffer (Ryan’s Hope, Search for Tomorrow, The Edge of Night, All My Suspects, Talked to Death) and film and television historian Tom Lisanti (Talking Sixties Drive-In Movies, Carol Lynley: Her Film & TV Career in Thrillers, Fantasy and Suspense, Trippin’ with Terry Southern: What I Think I Remember, Dueling Harlows). Louise is among the four dozen alumni of Ryan’s Hope (ABC, 1975-1989) that Tom interviewed for his latest book, Ryan’s Hope: An Oral History of Daytime’s Groundbreaking Soap, everything you wanted to know about the Emmy Award-winning daytime drama, as told from the perspective of the people who brought you Ryan’s Hope. Topics this segment include why part of the appeal of Ryan’s Hope for viewers and performers alike was that it was very concrete; why series co-creator Claire Labine was such a great writer of dialogue; and why many of the actors on Ryan’s Hope bonded with each other because they shared a background working on the stage.

Louise Shaffer, Tom Lisanti, and the Oral History of Ryan’s Hope

Louise Shaffer, Tom Lisanti, and the Oral History of Ryan’s Hope

TVC 675.4: Emmy Award-winning actress Louise Shaffer (Ryan’s Hope) talks to Ed and guest co-host Tom Lisanti about the instrumental role that Ryan’s Hope co-creator Claire Labine played in helping Louise transition from acting to writing, and why Maeve Ryan, Helen Gallagher’s character on Ryan’s Hope, was the hardest character on the series for Louise or any other writer to write for. Other topics this segment includes Louise and Tom’s favorite storylines of Ryan’s Hope, plus Louise shares a few memories of working with Ben Gazzara on Run For Your Life. Louise is among the four dozen alumni of Ryan’s Hope that Tom interviewed for his latest book, Ryan’s Hope: An Oral History of Daytime’s Groundbreaking Soap.

Charlotte Stewart, David Lynch, and Neil Young

Charlotte Stewart, David Lynch, and Neil Young

TVC 675.5: From June 2016: Actress and author Charlotte Stewart (Little House on the Prairie, Twin Peaks, Little House in the Hollywood Hills) shares a few memories about working with David Lynch on both Twin Peaks and Eraserhead, plus she talks to Ed about the “David Lynch-like” approaching to directing that Neil Young took when Charlotte worked with Young on the film Human Highway. David Lynch passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at age seventy-eight.

Michael Schlesinger and The Back Story of Biffle and Shooster

Michael Schlesinger and The Back Story of Biffle and Shooster

TVC 674.1: TV Confidential remembers Michael Schlesinger, the film executive and champion of classic movie restoration who was also the writer, producer, and director of The Misadventures of Biffle and Shooster, a collection of 1930s-style comedies—all starring Will Ryan and Nick Santa Maria—that pay homage to The Three Stooges, Abbott and Costello, Laurel and Hardy, and other vintage comedy teams from the Golden Era of Hollywood. Though filmed circa 2013, the sets, camera shots, attention to detail, and, above all, the performances of everyone involved in the Biffle and Shooster films are all so convincing, they look and sound as if they really were unearthed from the 1930s. Michael Schlesinger passed away Thursday, Jan. 9 at age seventy-four. In this segment, which originally aired in August 2018, Mike and Will join Ed and Greg Ehrbar for a conversation about the origin of the Biffle and Shooster characters (and how Mike came to be involved with them); the painstaking dedication to authenticity that Mike took to making the Biffle and Shooster shorts; and how Mike parlayed his friendships with such stars as Robert Forster, H.M. Wynant, and Robert Picardo into getting each of them to appear in the films.

Pat Boone on The Spiritual Hunger of Elvis Presley

Pat Boone on The Spiritual Hunger of Elvis Presley

TVC 674.2: Part 2 of a conversation that began last week with singer, actor, producer, and entertainment legend Pat Boone. Pat stars, along with Michael Learned, Kevin Sorbo, Tom Wopat, and Dean Cain, in the biopic Our Crossroads, a true story of family and faith that is scheduled for release in July 2025. Pat and Kevin Sorbo also both play Thomas Jefferson in The American Miracle, another film that is slated for release later in 2025, while Pat can currently be seen in Reagan and Miracle in the Valley, both of which are available now for viewing on demand through Amazon Prime. Topics this segment include Pat’s longtime friendship with Elvis Presley, which began in 1956 and continued until the day The King died in 1977; why Elvis was terribly shy with most people when he wasn’t performing onstage; and the time that Elvis met evangelist Oral Roberts, which Pat had arranged at Elvis’ request.

Pat Boone, Shirley Jones, and Barbara Eden

Pat Boone, Shirley Jones, and Barbara Eden

TVC 674.3: Pat Boone talks to Ed about working with Shirley Jones in April Love, with Ann-Margret in State Fair, and with Barbara Eden in All Hands on Deck. Pat can currently be seen in Reagan and Miracle in the Valley, both of which are available now for viewing on demand through Amazon Prime, while Pat’s latest movies, Our Crossroads and The American Miracle, are both scheduled for release later in 2025.

The Legacy of The Simpsons on Television

The Legacy of The Simpsons on Television

We'll be back with a brand new edition of TV Confidential later this week. In the meantime, please enjoy this clip from January 2015 in which Tony, Donna, and Ed look back at the legacy of The Simpsons on television and on pop culture in general. The first regular episode of The Simpsons originally aired on Jan. 14, 1990.

Knight Rider: A 1980s Version of The Lone Ranger

Knight Rider: A 1980s Version of The Lone Ranger

TVC 673.1: Part 2 of a conversation that began just before the holidays with Nick Nugent, author of The Knight Rider Companion: Abridged Edition, everything you wanted to know about the classic TV series starring David Hasselhoff, Edward Mulhare, and the voice of William Daniels. Topics this segment include how series creator Glen Larson originally saw Knight Rider as a contemporary rendering of The Lone Ranger; why KITT and the car were two different entities; the show’s impact on 1980s pop culture; and the throughline between Knight Rider, My Mother the Car, and 2001: A Space Odyssey. The Knight Rider Companion Abridged Edition is available from Black Pawn Press and includes new and updated interviews with series creator Glen Larson, series stars David Hasselhoff, William Daniels, and Rebecca Holden, and many other key personnel; an updated Hall of Fame Autograph Guide, Vehicle States Guide, Knight Rider Fonts Guide, Knight Rider Logos Guide, Knight Equipment Guide, and a complete series episode guide; several pages of one-of-a-kind artwork created exclusively for the abridged edition.

Why Knight Rider Continues to Endure

Why Knight Rider Continues to Endure

TVC 673.2: Nick Nugent, author of The Knight Rider Companion: Abridged Edition, discusses some of the new material available in his book. The Knight Rider Companion Abridged Edition is available from Black Pawn Press.

Pat Boone on Our Crossroads, The American Miracle, and Miracle in the Valley

Pat Boone on Our Crossroads, The American Miracle, and Miracle in the Valley

TVC 673.3: Ed welcomes back Pat Boone, the legendary singer, actor, and all-around entertainer who not only celebrated his ninetieth birthday a few months back, but also recently marked his seventieth year in show business. Pat Boone and Michael Learned star as Bob and Barbara Fraley in the biopic Our Crossroads, a true story of family and faith that also features Kevin Sorbo, Tom Wopat, and Dean Cain. Our Crossroads is scheduled for release in July 2025. Pat Boone and Kevin Sorbo also both play Thomas Jefferson in The American Miracle, another film that is slated for release later in 2025. Pat can currently be seen in Reagan and Miracle in the Valley, both of which are available now for viewing on demand through Amazon Prime. Topics this segment include how Pat met Michael Learned for the first time just before filming their scenes together in Our Crossroads; how Pat approached providing the voice of our sixteenth president for “The Legacy of Abraham Lincoln,” a 2023 episode of the animated series Star Spangled Adventures; and why films have always been influential on our culture, particularly among young people.

Dawn Moore and The True Legacy of Clayton Moore

Dawn Moore and The True Legacy of Clayton Moore

TVC 673.4: Ed welcomes Dawn Moore, one of the top marketing and branding professionals in the luxury retail industry, and the daughter of Clayton Moore, the actor known to three generations of television viewers as The Lone Ranger. The 2024-2025 television season marks the seventy-fifth anniversary of the premiere of The Lone Ranger (ABC, 1949-1957) on TV. Topics this segment include the throughline between what Dawn does for a living today and what her dad was doing forty and fifty years ago, when he was promoting the brand of The Lone Ranger through his many personal appearances; how her dad was a master of crafting whatever questions were asked of him, whenever he did interviews; the many people who entered careers of service because of the values that Clayton Moore embodied through his performance as The Lone Ranger; and her dad’s wry, nonchalant reaction to Dawn telling him that she had met Elizabeth Taylor one day in the course of her work.

Dawn Moore, Clayton Moore, and The Lone Ranger Creed

Dawn Moore, Clayton Moore, and The Lone Ranger Creed

TVC 673.5: Dawn Moore, daughter of Clayton Moore, talks to Ed about the origins of the Lone Ranger Creed; how her dad embodied the words of the Creed every day for the last fifty years of his life; and how Dawn displayed quotes from some of the tenets of the Creed on the window of the Harry Winston jewelry store on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills to help calm her neighborhood on the day after of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Other topics this segment include the various connections between Clayton Moore, Roy Rogers, and Dale Evans, and how that is captured in some of the vintage photographs that are currently on display as part of the Happy Trails exhibit at TheHollywoodMuseum.com. For more about Dawn, go to MooreAbout.com.

Why James Garner Ended The Rockford Files in 1980

Why James Garner Ended The Rockford Files in 1980

We'll be back with a brand new edition of TV Confidential later this week. In the meantime, please enjoy this clip from January 2015 in which Tony, Donna, and Ed look back at the circumstances that led to James Garner to end The Rockford Files (NBC, 1974-1980)in the middle of the show's sixth season. The final episode of The Rockford Files aired on Jan. 10, 1980 during This Week in TV History.

The Life and Times of Norman Lear

The Life and Times of Norman Lear

TVC 672.1: Ed welcomes entertainment journalist and comedy historian Tripp Whetsell. Tripp’s latest book, Norman Lear: His Life and Times, is the first comprehensive biography of the legendary, Emmy Award-winning producer of All in the Family, Maude, Good Times, The Jeffersons, The Fact of Life, and many other series that helped elevate the American network sitcom. While much has been written about Norman Lear, before and after his death on Dec. 5. 2023, Tripp’s book shows that there remains much to learn about the legendary “man in the white hat”— since Lear himself was often reluctant to discuss his early life in great detail. Topics this segment include how Lear got his foothold in show business by way of Danny Thomas, and his roots in the golden era of variety television throughout the 1950s and early ’60s. Norman Lear: His Life and Times is available wherever books are sold through Applause Books. For our listeners in Southern California, Tripp Whetsell will appear at Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd. in West Hollywood on Wednesday, Jan. 8 beginning at 7pm.

The Many Fathers of All in the Family

The Many Fathers of All in the Family

TVC 672.2: Tripp Whetsell, author of Norman Lear: His Life and Times, talks to Ed about how the latitude that Norman Lear often gave his actors and his writers on his television shows was often a double-edged sword; Lear’s years as a motion picture producer in the 1960s; and the events that led to the premiere on All in the Family on CBS in January 1971. Norman Lear: His Life and Times is available wherever books are sold through Applause Books. Tripp Whetsell will appear at Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd. in West Hollywood on Wednesday, Jan. 8 beginning at 7pm.

Penny Singleton, Harry Cohn, and Rod Serling

Penny Singleton, Harry Cohn, and Rod Serling

TVC 672.3: Part 2 of a conversation that began just before the holidays with Steve Randisi, author of Penny Singleton: A Biography, a comprehensive look at the life and career of the actress who not only achieved worldwide fame in the 1930s and ’40s as the star of the Blondie movie series from Columbia Pictures (and, later, to TV audiences as the voice of Jane Jetson on the original Jetsons TV series and, later, the Jetsons movie), but who made history in 1958 when she became the first female president of an AFL-CIO union, the American Guild of Variety Artists. Topics this segment include how Singleton was nearly fired from the first Blondie picture because of an incident over a cigarette; the values she formed while growing up in South Philadelphia; and how her longtime connection with Rod Serling resulted in her appearance opposite John McGiver in the Twilight Zone episode “Sounds and Silences.” Penny Singleton: A Biography is available from Bear Manor Media.

The original Good Morning, America

The original Good Morning, America

We're taking a few days off for the holidays, but we'll be back with brand new editions of TV Confidential in the new year. In the meantime, please enjoy this Blast from the Past clip from January 2015 in which Tony, Donna, and Ed look back at the premiere of A.M. America, the precursor to Good Morning, America, on Jan. 6, 1975. An offshoot of Ralph Story's A.M., a local program produced by KABC-TV in Los Angeles, A.M. America never found an audience on a national level and was canceled ten months later.

Alan Hale, Gilligan's Island, and The Lobster Barrel

Alan Hale, Gilligan's Island, and The Lobster Barrel

We're taking a few days off for the holidays, but we'll be back with brand new editions of TV Confidential in the new year. In the meantime, please enjoy this Blast from the Past clip from January 2015 in which Tony, Donna, and Ed celebrate the life and legacy of Alan Hale, the actor known around the world as The Skipper on Gilligan’s Island. Alan Hale passed away on Jan. 2. 1990, thirty-five years ago This Week in TV History.