Morgan Fairchild: Too Sexy for TV, Pee-Wee Herman, and Hollywood's Golden Era

Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Weirding Way, Media.

Speaker 2 (00:06):
Babies, Sand So Pretty Babies, Into the City Dunning, the
money Man World.

Speaker 3 (00:23):
Hello and welcome to Eighties TV Ladies, where we look
back in order to leap forward. We are so excited
to share with you. Are oh so exciting one hundredth
episode of this podcast, Mazel talk to our Eighties TV Ladies,
your hosts, Susan Lambert HadAM and Sharon Johnson.

Speaker 4 (00:45):
Hello, I'm Sharon, and I'm Susan.

Speaker 5 (00:49):
Happy one hundredth episode to you all, To Sharon, Melissa
and Kevin, and to the entire rest of our team,
Sergio and Sailor the other nineties TV Baby Serta, Anna
and Meghan. Oh my goodness, I am so proud of us.
I'm so blessed to be doing this show with all
of y'all. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Speaker 6 (01:09):
Right back at you, Susan, and many thanks to all
of you our listeners, especially those who were around from
the very beginning.

Speaker 4 (01:17):
Shout out to Michael and Ann and Amy and.

Speaker 6 (01:20):
Some of our very first fans and patrons, and to
all are awesome, fabulous patrons. We could not be here
without you, especially Michael Kate and Megan Kate, Missus, Becky,
Jeanette Valiere, Sean King, music Lover, and more.

Speaker 5 (01:38):
We have so many cool patrons. If you want to
be a patron, find us on patreon dot com slash
eightiestv Ladies. We have a very very special guest to
celebrate for our one hundredth episode, we are thrilled to
bring you the one, the only, the iconic Morgan Fairchild.
We are going to talk with her about everything from

(01:58):
her eighties ladies days of Flamingo Road and Falcon Crest,
to her activism and her new podcast, Two Bitches from Texas.
Morgan Fairchild is an actress, activist, and now a podcaster.
She is also an author from the eighties. Morgan Fairchild
Superlooks is a style book from nineteen eighty four. If

(02:21):
you love eighties styles, you might want to go track
that one down. It looks amazing.

Speaker 6 (02:27):
Morgan Fairchild broke ground playing Sandra Bernhardt's lesbian lover on
Roseanne in nineteen ninety two, and her appearance on Murphy
Brown in nineteen eighty nine earned her a nomination for
Guest Performer in a Comedy.

Speaker 5 (02:43):
She has appeared off Broadway and in touring shows like
Singing in The Rain where she played Lena Lamont of course,
which I would have loved to see Gentlemen Prefer Blonde
and The Graduate.

Speaker 6 (02:54):
And in December twenty twenty four she was one of
the stars from Ladies of the Eighties and Davis Christmas,
which we covered on this show with Stan Zimmerman and.

Speaker 5 (03:04):
We did a watch through on our Patreon that was
so much fun.

Speaker 6 (03:08):
So without further ado, let's go, let's welcome to Eighties
TV Ladies.

Speaker 7 (03:13):
MS.

Speaker 4 (03:13):
Morgan Fairchild.

Speaker 7 (03:16):
Oh, thank you very much. Ladies. Is nice to be here.

Speaker 5 (03:20):
This has actually been a dream come true. You were
on my original list from when we started this podcast,
so it's such a pleasure and a gift to have
you on Eighties TV Ladies today.

Speaker 7 (03:30):
Oh well, that's very kind of you. Thank you. I
had no idea.

Speaker 5 (03:34):
I made a list of who we wanted to talk
to and various shows we wanted to cover, and you
were on the list. You've had this incredible career in
some of the most iconic shows of the eighties, nineties,
two thousands, every decade of television in the last fifty years.

Speaker 7 (03:51):
Yeah, I've been around forever.

Speaker 5 (03:55):
I'm so curious what you've seen change in television in
front of him, behind the tell I mean you've seen
a lot, right, What are the changes? What do you
feel is so different? Good or bad?

Speaker 8 (04:08):
Well, I mean the whole industry is just totally changed,
and especially in the last ten years. You know, when
I moved out to LA I had done Search for
Tomorrow in New York for a few years in the
seventies and then moved out here, and you know, it's
just totally changed from when I got here because back then,
I mean, I feel sorry for young kids starting out
now because back then, you know, your agent would get

(04:30):
you a meeting with casting director maybe that have you
come in and read a scene, and then maybe have
you come in and read an audition for something. But
when you were in the room, you got to talk
to the casting person. They got to know you a
little bit, and you know, if you were auditioning, they
would have they would say, could you do it a
little different, could you try this one a little more
this way? You know, so you've got a little direction

(04:52):
on what they were looking for. Now, the people, you know,
the kids are like having to just do everything on
video and then send it in no direction, no idea
what they're looking for and no real chance to meet
and get to know the casting person, because that was
always the great thing. You might not get this part,
but if they liked you and saw talent in you,

(05:12):
then you might get something else. So I think it's
it's very hard for kids now. And you know, also,
there were only three networks when I came out here,
so if you got something, a lot more people got
to see it, and that might get your next job
because somebody saw you on Barnaby Jones or Happy Days
or more con Mendy or whatever. More people saw it.

(05:34):
Now everything is so diffused and there's a lot of product,
but you know, they don't have the kind of audiences
that things used to have back back back in the day,
back in the day, back in the day.

Speaker 5 (05:52):
I'm so curious. So you moved from Texas to New
York City in nineteen seventy two, is what to work
on soaps?

Speaker 8 (05:59):
Like?

Speaker 5 (05:59):
Was that a huge transition going from Texas?

Speaker 7 (06:02):
I moved up there because I got divorced.

Speaker 8 (06:04):
I was a child bride and got divorced and had
to make a life decision. I had started in the
theater when I was ten, so I had a great
kind of career going in Dallas, doing a lot of shows,
a lot of commercials, a lot of runaway production movies
and things. So I could have stayed there, but my

(06:24):
sister was going to Juilliard, and I thought, you know,
I'm starting my life all over again right now, young,
and I'm just going to go see if I can
do anything. So when I first got up there, I
was still taking theater jobs outside of New York. And
then at one point, I just in seventy three, I
just thought, you know, I got to stay in New York.
If I'm going to say I'm a New York actor,

(06:45):
I got to stay here and see if I can
get a job. And couldn't get an agent. Nobody wanted me.
Everybody said I had the wrong look. It's the seventies
and they wanted real people, and they said you don't
look real.

Speaker 7 (06:56):
I said, thanks so much. Can I read? I read no? No.

Speaker 8 (07:02):
So you back then, they would have what they called
open called so if you didn't have an agent, you
didn't have anything. If you would just go and stand
in line all day and they give you three minutes
to read, you know, so I would go and stand
in line for five hours and get up there and
then say, oh, no, you don't have the right look.

Speaker 7 (07:17):
I said, can I read? Can I just read? No,
you don't have the right look. Yeah.

Speaker 8 (07:21):
So you know, at one point I finally said to
one of them, you know, what do I got to do?

Speaker 7 (07:25):
Break my nose? But we get an audition here.

Speaker 8 (07:28):
So they kept saying, oh, you're too elegant, you're too porcelain,
you're too glamorous, and and you know, to me, being
a kid from Texas, I didn't think I was all
that glamorous.

Speaker 7 (07:37):
I just thought I was kind of washed out, little blonde.

Speaker 8 (07:41):
But you know, it was.

Speaker 7 (07:43):
It was a tough getting started.

Speaker 8 (07:45):
And then I got searched for tomorrow and I was
doing Kojak, and you know, things that were shooting in
New York and commercials, a lot of commercials back then,
but not at first.

Speaker 7 (07:54):
You know, that would took a while to get going too.

Speaker 8 (07:57):
But then at a point again I had to decide
my contract was up on search and I thought, you know,
I'm seeing that if they come here into New York
to shoot like Kojak, usually whatever came to shoot, if
they wanted a waspy blonde, they cast it in La
So I thought, you know, I'm going to go out
and just see if.

Speaker 7 (08:14):
I can work in LA. I don't know if I
can work in LA.

Speaker 8 (08:17):
Kept my apartment for a while in New York, and
you know, I figured, well, if I follow my face,
I'll come back to New York and do another soap
or something. And so I got out here, and I
was so lucky. When you're young, you don't realize how
lucky you are. But I was here and I had
a casting director who believed in me, Ruben Cannon, who
was a wonderful maan who believed in me and got

(08:37):
me my first job. Because getting that first job is
really hard. Nobody wants to take a chance on you.
And the theater resume. I mean when I came out here,
I'd already been working for seventeen years. You know a
lot of theater and the soap and you know shows
in New York and Kojak and different. You know Runaway,
I mean New York production. But those don't mean anything.

(08:58):
You're coming out here and starting all over again. So
Rubin believed in me, and you know, I was here
like a month and got my first job, uh and
playing a blind ex Peace Corps worker with very little
makeup in my hair and a ponytail, and I thought,
oh good, oh, I don't have to do the glamour stuff.

Speaker 7 (09:15):
I'd just be an actor and being an actor.

Speaker 5 (09:19):
And what was what was that end? Was that on
a movie a TV show.

Speaker 8 (09:22):
It was a show called Rafferty with an actor called
Pat named Patrick McGowan who was the prisoner did the
prisoner and for people who weren't familiar with the prisoner
and danger Man which secret agent man. The Johnny Rivers
music hit was the theme song for it when it
played in the States, had been you know, was a
big British star.

Speaker 7 (09:41):
And for people who don't go back that far Braveheart.

Speaker 8 (09:43):
If you ever saw the movie Braveheart, he plays the
bad king who throws his son's lover out the window.

Speaker 7 (09:49):
That's what my first.

Speaker 8 (09:50):
Job was, dealing with a time of mentality. So it's
one of those things, it's like ill, it's the old
only job I've ever had. Where the director and it
was a brand new show and so this was going
to be their first episode of a brand new show.
So the director had me come over to his house
for dinner beforehand, and his wife were just lovely to me,

(10:13):
and then he sat me down and explained all the
rules about Magowan. You know, don't speak to him, don't
look at him, don't say anything, called him mister McGowan,
you know, don't look, don't speak to him.

Speaker 7 (10:23):
Unless you've spoken to blah blah blah.

Speaker 8 (10:25):
And so, of course, by the time I arrive on
the set, I'm totally terrified of this guy who's the
danger man, secret agent and the prisoner and all of
cult classics and stuff.

Speaker 7 (10:35):
So I got there.

Speaker 8 (10:36):
Of course, it's everybody's first day of a brand new series,
and we were shooting at Warner Brothers, and for some reason,
we didn't have trailers. They had a makeup section set
over in one edge of the sound stage, and they said,
we'll go over there.

Speaker 7 (10:48):
It's my first job in Hollywood. I don't know what
to do.

Speaker 8 (10:51):
So I go over to this curtained off area and
I'm kind of sitting there and there's nobody there.

Speaker 7 (10:55):
I don't know what to do.

Speaker 8 (10:56):
And then I feel like I'm being stared at, and
I kind of look over and I see Magoon over there,
kind of with these kind of you know, John Lennon glasses.
He's got peering over looking at me, you know, and
he's a tall guy, like six'.

Speaker 7 (11:07):
Three he's a tall, guy.

Speaker 8 (11:08):
Kind of standing there staring at, me and, so, uh you,
know so then he kind of sidles over a little by,
little and you, know you're just trying to be, blase
knowing you're being. Scrutinized finally he comes he comes over
and he's just standing there staring at. Me SO i just,
said you, know there seems to be some question of
How i'm supposed to address. You and he, said, well
you can call Me pat Or patrick or for ALL i.

(11:31):
Care AND i, said, well, shit it's, Fine i'll call you.
Shit so we got on like a house of fire
because he liked people who stood up to him. Lot
but that was sort of my intro To, hollywood what
what you, know dealing with this sort of major menacing
star and h and being sort of challenged on the

(11:54):
first day of the set And i'm playing this blind,
woman and of course they promised me they were going
to give me somebody from the brailler to work with
me on the blind, thing and then they, didn't So
i'm just kind of winging playing. Blind and so we're
sitting there reading lines together and he looks at me
and he, says are you gonna do it that?

Speaker 7 (12:09):
Way And i'm like, yes and he said, good that's, Good, like, oh.

Speaker 5 (12:16):
Oh my, god that that is scary and.

Speaker 6 (12:21):
Awesome what a great first job it seems to have
turned out to be In.

Speaker 8 (12:27):
Hollywood you, Know rubin was so kind and stood by me,
because LIKE i, said that's always the hardest thing is
to get that first kind of showcase job and to
work with a big star like.

Speaker 7 (12:38):
That and it got me. Going it got me.

Speaker 8 (12:41):
Going it gave me the impromoter THAT i was, workable
THAT i could do.

Speaker 7 (12:45):
It so thank you always To.

Speaker 5 (12:48):
Ruben it was so. INTERESTING i was listening to your
podcast and the interview With Linda gray is, amazing and
you guys both talk about both talk about being cast
in female roles but that didn't always have as much
depth on the page as you may have, wanted and
trying to find ways to make your character. Pop can
you talk a little bit about that for yourself and

(13:10):
those early roles for you what you tried to do.

Speaker 8 (13:14):
WELL i was very fortunate THAT i grew up in
the theater and So i'd been kicked around a lot,
already SO i knew a lot of other things that
some young people starting out.

Speaker 7 (13:24):
IN la don't.

Speaker 8 (13:25):
Have they don't have that kind of. Background so it
was always trying to find that. Thread and BECAUSE i
frequently got cast playing bad, guys.

Speaker 7 (13:33):
You, know the first thing you want to know is
that they never think they're the bad.

Speaker 8 (13:36):
Guy that they always have a reason for what they're,
doing and they don't think they're the bad.

Speaker 7 (13:41):
Guy and so that was kind of the.

Speaker 8 (13:44):
Basis and ALSO i was very fortunate THAT i had
grown up doing a lot of comedy with a, brilliant improvisational,
Actor Larry, dwyer who was a mentor to my sister and,
myself and SO i could do, comedy which a lot
of the pretty girls couldn't do.

Speaker 7 (13:58):
Comedy and so.

Speaker 8 (14:00):
If they wanted a glamour girl who could go On
New heart and do comedy or go On Happy days
and do, comedy you, KNOW i could hold my own doing.
Comedy and, so you, know back, then there weren't that
many ladies who could go on the. Soap usually they
just kind of had you do the straight lines for
the you, know for the. Regulars but they kind of

(14:20):
started catching on THAT i could do comedy and also could,
improvise which stood me in very good.

Speaker 7 (14:25):
Stead, again thank you to theater.

Speaker 5 (14:26):
Background and you were one of the like kind of
inventors of the eighties power, lady like the, smart, elegant
driven woman who gets whatever she. WANTS i, mean is
that you or or was that just what the times
were asking you to? Do you?

Speaker 8 (14:47):
KNOW i always Thought i'd be typecast in an ingenoux
with the little pointing nose and all that stuff and
the kind of fine bone blondie. Thing so but WHEN i, think,
Like i've been here maybe three, months AND i got.
UP i was up from my FIRST tv movie and
it was With Chuck, freeze who was the king OF
tv movies at the, time and it was going to

(15:08):
be a rip off Of. Carrie the Movie carrie with
The telekinesis and all of that had come out the
year before The Carrie.

Speaker 7 (15:14):
Park kaylin's was going.

Speaker 8 (15:15):
To do, that and she was the queen OF tv
movies at that. Time and then there were two other women's.
Part so one was the evil sorority queen because it's
out of, college and the other Was carrie's sister who
wants to join the sorority but loves her.

Speaker 7 (15:27):
Sister so she's kind of.

Speaker 8 (15:28):
Torn and SO i go in AND i read For
chuck and he, says you got.

Speaker 7 (15:33):
IT i, mean back then they could do that the.

Speaker 8 (15:35):
Producer now it's like six weeks of going to networks
and everybody approving.

Speaker 7 (15:40):
You but so i'm you, know, ACTOR i.

Speaker 8 (15:42):
Said you, Know i'd really like to read for the
sister BECAUSE i think she has more gray. Areas she's
torn between hers the love of her sister and da da.
Dada and he, SAW i want to. BRUNETTE i, SAID
i wear a. Wig so we go back and forth
and finally he, says, honey you haven't been here very,
long have? You AND i said, no, sir he, said
let me explain something to. YOU i can get a
good anginue, anywhere but a good bitch is hard to.

Speaker 7 (16:05):
Find and it's a bad guy doesn't, work the show doesn't.

Speaker 8 (16:09):
Work and think Of shane Without Jack, palance you, know
and so and he, said you have the gravitas to
be the, bitch and SO i, thought, well you, know
it's a kind of a one dimensional.

Speaker 7 (16:21):
Character i'll do WHAT i can with.

Speaker 8 (16:22):
It and it's a LITTLE tv. Movie who's going to see?
It And i'll at least have A tv movie. Credit,
well it was the number ONE tv.

Speaker 7 (16:27):
Movie of the.

Speaker 8 (16:28):
Year AND i mean everybody From David duchovny WHEN i
visited THE X file set to The governor Of pennsylvania
When i'm you, know every all these guys is the.

Speaker 7 (16:37):
Guy loved initiation Of.

Speaker 8 (16:39):
Sarah so it kind of put me on the map
playing bad. Guys BUT i, also BECAUSE i do a
lot of, COMEDY i ALWAYS i always had a lot
of one, liners and like WHEN i did the pilot
Of Flamingo. Road you, know it's a two hour movie
remake of A Joan crawford, movie AND i am not
The Joan crawford. Part so you, Know i've got like

(17:00):
eight scenes in a two hour. Movie and my only
purpose there is to come between the Two starcrofts lovers
because he happens to be married to, me so, uh you,
know SO i just ad lib ad limb stuff AND
i make her a funny. Bitch and that's when people
and it's What Larry hagman did On. Dallas so you're
waiting to see what they. Say you, know you're because

(17:21):
because you're a funny bad. GUY i MEAN i can
also be a real scary bag. Guy but you, know
BUT i think it's more interesting to make it a
funny bad, guy Especially i've got a series and a
long term thing.

Speaker 6 (17:31):
There but wasn't it also On Flamingo road that the
Uh Jerry folwell and his group sort of came after
you and basically saying you, were IF i get the quote,
right too hot FOR tv or something like, That.

Speaker 7 (17:50):
No too sexy FOR, tv.

Speaker 4 (17:51):
Too sexy FOR. Tv.

Speaker 8 (17:53):
Yeah what happened, was you, know we'd had our first
Year Flamingo, road and we didn't know yet if we
were picked, up but we'd had our first season and
So people magazine had done this big interview and photo
layout and would shot the cover and, everything and Then
Ronald reagan got.

Speaker 7 (18:08):
Shot and bumped us off the.

Speaker 8 (18:11):
Cover and then because the show hasn't picked up, yet
they don't know what to do with. It so they've
got a, story they've got the, photos they got everything
ready to. Go and Then Jerry folwell And Reverend wildman
and The Moral majority declared me too sexy FOR tv
and handed me my cover.

Speaker 7 (18:28):
Back thank you.

Speaker 8 (18:29):
Boys so that gave him a hook to put it
back out there and probably in a much better more
memorable way that it would have been to begin.

Speaker 5 (18:38):
WITH i love.

Speaker 4 (18:42):
That, yeah every now and then they do something.

Speaker 8 (18:44):
Worthwhile, yeah they target, you but at. Backfires WHEN i
was Doing Jimmy kimmel a few weeks, ago you, KNOW i,
said censorship didn't just get started, now you, know so.

Speaker 6 (18:58):
Stra they've been at it for a, while But i'm
so glad that it actually turned out to be a
good thing for you and for the.

Speaker 4 (19:04):
Show so that's, Fantastic thank, you much to their.

Speaker 6 (19:07):
Chagrin and then On Falcon crest you played in a
very interesting character as.

Speaker 4 (19:14):
Well when you went, there, WELL i.

Speaker 8 (19:18):
Was very interested in doing that because something About amelia
had come out A tv movie the year, BEFORE i
think a year or two, before and it was the
first time incest had ever been addressed on, television and
they had promised me this storyline that was going to
be the first time the adult repercussions of incest would be.

(19:38):
Covered SO i, thought you, KNOW i always liked doing
a kind of clastic. THINGS i like doing things people
don't expect w and, sometimes you, know people, think Because
i've played a lot of bad, guys it's kind of
if they don't know my. Work you, know they think
it's more of a one dimensional kind of, bitch you,
Know BUT i always liked try to find the, layers
AND i was very interested in doing something like that
that had never been done.

Speaker 7 (19:58):
Before but then they kept not.

Speaker 8 (19:59):
Right So i'm on the, show but they're not writing the. Story,
yeah And i'm Playing David selby's. Lawyer But they've got
me sitting on the corner of his desk and, miniskirts
saying CAN i get you some? Coffee and SO i
said to, them you, know my uncle's a judge and
my cousin prosecutes for The Justice, department AND i know
this isn't what attorneys.

Speaker 7 (20:19):
Do they don't get you.

Speaker 8 (20:20):
Coffee, yeah so you, know please try to give me
if you're not going to give me that, story and
give me, something you. Know so and they kind of
kind of had me hanging around and. Everything BUT i
remember at one, point because all of us on The lomer,
shows we would frequently wear our own, clothes and SO
i was always wearing my own, stuff AND i, was you,
know wearing all kinds of, fashion you, know high end fashion.

(20:41):
Design SO i was wearing a lot Of Wendy gill.

Speaker 7 (20:44):
Jewelry.

Speaker 8 (20:45):
THEN i don't know how you ladies, are But Wendy
gill was very big in the, eighties and she was
very big with the big, jewelry big, airrings big, cuffs
big necklaces and. ANYWAY i was coming out of the
soundstage to go to lunch one day and one of
the producers was walking by and he, says you, KNOW
i just finished watching dailies and we were all, saying,
Boy morgan is wearing those big ear rings, again so

(21:05):
maybe you could try wearing more like pearls Like Jane.
Wyman AND i, Said, John i'll tell you. What you
give me a storyline AND i will wear. Pearls but
until you give me a, storyline every woman In america
is going to say the next, day did you see
those ear Rings Morgan fairchild had.

Speaker 7 (21:21):
On that's my.

Speaker 8 (21:23):
Storyline to you give me a, storyline ALL i got
is a visual. Honey i'm going to make it fun
and interesting if you don't give me something to do.

Speaker 7 (21:33):
HERE i love.

Speaker 5 (21:36):
That that's so. Smart it's so smart.

Speaker 8 (21:38):
That finally they wrote the, storyline you, know and then
then you know it Was it was really. Interesting i've
done a lot of research on incests and adult repercussions of.
Incests and they Got john, McMartin WHO i Love broadway
actors Starting, follies my all time favorite play a musical
to play my. Father SO i had wonderful people to work,

(21:59):
with WHICH i really. Appreciated and they finally started writing
the story, storyline which was.

Speaker 4 (22:05):
Great oh that's. Fantastic.

Speaker 7 (22:08):
Yeah WELL i kind of had to push, him.

Speaker 5 (22:13):
You, yeah to like hack and you, know find your
own path into getting some great.

Speaker 8 (22:19):
ROLES i said to, Him, john you know it's a visual.
Art you don't give me something to. Do at Least
i'm going to be something to look.

Speaker 4 (22:25):
At that is.

Speaker 5 (22:27):
AMAZING i was. Smart so it sounds like it was
such a fun experience of EIGHTIES. Tv i'm always like
because people were just talking to producers and everybody was
in the in the, thing and it was a little more,
casual even though it was hard to break. In it
was hard all. Over but you have this amazing story
about working With Paul rubin's and meeting him and then

(22:50):
Doing pee, wee AND i want you to tell. That
BUT i also am so excited about you were going
and visiting all these sets, Too like it sounds like
you were just like everybody was sort of hanging out
the way we dream Of.

Speaker 7 (23:03):
Hollywood.

Speaker 8 (23:04):
Yeah, Yeah like WHEN i was Shooting mork And, Mindy
taxi was next, door so we would all go back
and forth and, visit you, know and. Stuff it, was you,
know WHENEVER i was on The paramount, lot you, KNOW
i go by and visit The Happy day set because
they were all so. Sweet they're such a great group of.
People but if you want The paul's, story you, KNOW
i had been asked a host night at The, improv

(23:25):
which was a comedy show back. Then and at The
improv and you, know So i'm over in the afternoon
for the rehearsal and the older guys and mostly older,
guys are going through their. ACT i Remember Shaky green
was on the. Show so they're running through their act
and then this young guy comes, in and you, know
he comes over and he, Says i'm your last.

Speaker 7 (23:43):
One but he, Said i'm not going to run through my.

Speaker 8 (23:46):
ACT i just stopped by to tell you whatever happens,
TONIGHT i won't hurt.

Speaker 7 (23:52):
You And i'm, like, okay what the hell is he gonna?

Speaker 8 (23:57):
Do, Anyway so that night he comes in and it's
Pee Wee herman in full, drag and you, know and
he has this big brown paper bag a full of
plastic spiders and snakes that he's throwing at me and
doing all this crazy. Stuff and again coming from improvisational.

Speaker 7 (24:11):
Theater you, Know i'm just. Going we're having a great.
Time you. Know so as soon as you know they're,
finished he, says you got, Me you got. Me nobody
ever gets. Me you got.

Speaker 8 (24:18):
Me and you, know so we became great, friends you,
know and so you, know we would go a lot
of places together and and he would have me go
with him a lot of times to because he was
get started to get nominated for awards and stuff With
Pee wee's.

Speaker 7 (24:31):
Playhouse and so we would go.

Speaker 8 (24:33):
To things together and he would always come in Pee,
wee always come as Pee. Wee then i'd be in
some Evening, gollton he'd be as Pee.

Speaker 7 (24:40):
Wee we're a great couple.

Speaker 8 (24:43):
Anyway so one DAY i still have my answering service back,
then AND i get this call and they say we
have Pee Wee herman on the, line AND i, said,
okay AND i got out of. That. Paul you, KNOW
i know your real. NAME i have to say It's Pey.

Speaker 7 (24:56):
Hermon and so he, SAYS, I i've got my first.
MOVIE i, said oh, great, great he said we. Have
we're in a shoe string.

Speaker 8 (25:03):
Budget he, SAYS i have a big favor to ask
AND i, said like What and he, said, well we
need some celebrity, cameos and everybody's turned us down and
we have no. Money AND i, said, okay just don't
tell people everybody's already turned you. Down and he, said
we have NO i, SAID i got the no, MONEY
i got The when do you need?

Speaker 7 (25:19):
Me and he Said.

Speaker 8 (25:20):
Thursday SO i, said, okay let me see IF i
can get Off Falcon. Crust so you, KNOW i got
cleared By Falcon crest for the. Day so they were
shooting on the back lot At Warner, brothers which is
kind of looked like a wilderness, forest you, Know Robin
hood kind of area at that. Time AND i arrived
and they're doing this ninja fight and SO i, said,
guys you, Know i've had four and a half years
of kung fu In chinatown And New. YORK i can

(25:41):
do this ninja fight for you other than falling out
of a, tree because IF i break a Leg Falcon
crest is going to sue. Me so we do the
ninja fight and Then Jim brolan arrives As Pee wee
And i'm looking at we have no. Script we don't
know what's going, on we have no, sides we have no,
script we don't know what we're. Doing so he arrives
in The peee costume And i'm, like what are you?
Doing Because i've done the pilot Of hotel With jim

(26:05):
a couple of years, before SO i knew.

Speaker 7 (26:06):
HIM i, said what are you doing this? PERIOD i
SAID i don't, Know.

Speaker 8 (26:09):
SO i said just look at each other and, SAY
i know you, are but what AM? I and we
said what does it? Mean, oh it doesn't, matter it
doesn't matter to be funny in. Context just do. That
so we do, that and, then you, KNOW i look
At jim AND i, said do you have to go
back to work? Today and he said, NO i got
the whole day. OFF i, said, yes so DID I
you want to do? More and he said, yeah what
can we? DO i, SAID i don't. Know let's go

(26:29):
talk to the. Guys so we go over and Get
paul And Tim. Burton it Was Tim burton's first movie and, say,
guys you got us for the. Day you want to
do something? Else and they're, like what can we? Do
because you, know we have no money and we're on
the back lot here and you, know kind of borrow
the back, lot but we.

Speaker 7 (26:44):
Don't have what else could we? Do where could we?

Speaker 8 (26:47):
Shoot So jim, says let me make a phone, call
so he Calls Aaron spelling and they are not shooting
on The Hotel fairmont set that, day So Aaron loans
is The Fairmont hotel lobby. Set so now we go
over And jim becomes a big game hunter And i'm
a spy And paul is a bell. Hop you, know
you've got that paging Mister herman, scene and that whole
scene in the, movie which a lot of people really

(27:08):
seem to, like is like just thrown together because the idiot, said,
hey you want to do more and so and we
just put it together with Like mickey And.

Speaker 7 (27:17):
Judy doing a play in the bar and you, know.

Speaker 8 (27:21):
So it's all just thrown. Together you used to be
able to shoot that way, back you. Know now now
you can't do that so. Much even then you couldn't
do it, that but you.

Speaker 7 (27:29):
Know you do it when you're trying to help out
a friend and they have no.

Speaker 5 (27:31):
MONEY i just love. That and who did you love working? With?
You you guested on so many, Shows Love, Boat simon
And Simon magnum P I Murphy brown with An emmy,
Nomination like who did you love working? With who would
you have gone back to? Instantly?

Speaker 7 (27:48):
Oh, god so, many so.

Speaker 8 (27:50):
MANY i was so fortunate to get to work with
so many wonderful. People Natalie. WOOD i Adored roddy. McDowell
we became great. FRIENDS i Adored. Roddy you Know Vincent
price WHEN i first came, out he and his. WIFE
i did a pilot for, them an episode of their.
SERIES i, mean just got to be friends with so many,
people because back, then when you came out and you

(28:11):
worked with, people you got to know.

Speaker 7 (28:12):
Them you sat around the set and.

Speaker 8 (28:14):
Talked and now the kids all just you, know they're
always on their phone and then they go straight to
their dressing, room so you don't really get to talk to.
People but back then you made friends and lifetime, friends
and so it was great.

Speaker 7 (28:29):
Fun Buddy ebsen And Lee.

Speaker 8 (28:31):
MERIWEATHER i, MEAN i did a couple Of Barnaby jones
AND i, mean your.

Speaker 7 (28:35):
Younger audience won't even know what that. Is but you,
know we're just the. Kindest.

Speaker 8 (28:40):
Uh they were one of the few that every TIME
i guest did on the, show they would come over
to my trailer together and welcome me to the. Show
and you, KNOW i mean they were just lovely old,
style Old. Hollywood but it was great fun back then
because a lot of the ACTORS i had grown up
watching were still alive and a lot of them were still.

Speaker 7 (28:59):
Working SO i got to work With Betty.

Speaker 8 (29:00):
DAVIS i, Mean i'd go to go to gala, dinner
should be sitting Between Jimmy stewart And olivia De haviland
Or Robert, mitcham and you, know it was like you
would meet people and if you didn't work with. THEM
i remember one, time maybe my third job was With
Robert wagner on a show Called switch And, so and
Then i'd worked With natalie after. That and so one

(29:21):
Night i'm over At chasin's having dinner and R j
comes over to the table and, says we have a
friend at our table who is a big fan of,
yours and we'd love to meet.

Speaker 7 (29:29):
You would you would.

Speaker 8 (29:30):
You mind coming over to the table and saying, hi
And i'm, thinking, sure you, know SO i come.

Speaker 7 (29:33):
Over my, god It's Fred.

Speaker 8 (29:35):
ASTAIRE i mean all the DAYS i spend In New
york and dark in theaters Watching fred And ginger And
fred and everybody dance their hearts out and get me
through those low depressed moments of my life WHEN i
started out In New, york that Freda stair wanted to meet.

Speaker 7 (29:51):
ME i you, know so it was, always it was.

Speaker 8 (29:54):
ALWAYS i remember one TIME i was At mommy's home
AND i was on the way to the ladies from.
Mommy zone was a very very hot rest a restaurant
town in the late eighties and really, HARD i mean
late seventies and early, ages very hard to get. Into
and but you know they were letting me in and
only way way to the ladies room And Roger moore
leans out and, SAYS i just loved you on The
Dream merchants when one of my early. Miniseries And i'm,

(30:15):
like my, god You're James. Bond what are you doing
home On saturday night Watching Dream? Merchants but you know
you would just you, know meet lovely, People Anthony, quinn
different people and chat and.

Speaker 7 (30:28):
Get to be friends and.

Speaker 8 (30:29):
Everything so it seems like those days are gone somewhat,
now WHICH i kind of, hate because the camaraderie is
what makes theater and film a fun. Industry that we're
all in it, together and you know that it's a fun,
industry and that you've become, friends you become friends for.

(30:50):
Life AND i was so grateful that so many of
the older ACTORS i was fortunate to work with who
are big, stars would treat me like an, equal just
a new, person but an equal as opposed to who
are you?

Speaker 7 (31:00):
Kid you, know get?

Speaker 8 (31:01):
LOST i Mean, Wood Natalie wood And roddy McDowell AND
i when we were shooting A memory Of Eba, riker
we were shooting on The Queen, mary and you, know
we had the whole.

Speaker 7 (31:12):
Ship so the three of us would go.

Speaker 8 (31:14):
To lunch in our nineteen twenties outfits and sit in
the grand ballroom on The Queen mary and have lunch
every day and then tell me Old hollywood stories and.

Speaker 7 (31:22):
Stuff you, know it's LIKE i dreamed of Growing.

Speaker 6 (31:25):
That just sounds absolutely astonishingly. Amazing at the beginning when
all these things, start happy meeting all these, people did
you go through a period where you just in your
brain kept saying to, YOURSELF i cannot believe this is
happening to.

Speaker 4 (31:39):
ME i cannot Believe i'm actually.

Speaker 6 (31:40):
Sitting next To Fred astare or sitting next To Natalie
wood and having this.

Speaker 4 (31:45):
Conversation.

Speaker 8 (31:47):
YEAH i, mean you, know because these are PEOPLE i
grew up, with and as my sister will, ATTEST i
drove my whole family nuts for years Playing West Side
story through from beginning to. END i would have my
mother drop me off at the theater for the first.
Matinee and that was back in the days when the,
theater you, know you came in and you had a,

(32:09):
loge you had the lower and then you had a higher,
area but you had a big flat space in between,
them not like. Today AND i would do all the
dances all, Day i'd, say through every, show AND i
do all the dances with, everybody you, know especially before
anybody else got. There and, so you, know to get
to work With Natalie wood was, just you, know heaven for.

(32:31):
Me and to get to be friends With George shakiraz
And george is kind enough he invited me to be
his date for them fiftieth anniversary showing At Grumman's chinese
Of West Side story after the fifty years after the,
premiere and to be there with all these PEOPLE i
had watched for so many, years because everybody who was
alive came and just you, know just to see them

(32:52):
all after all those years THAT i spent dancing in
the dark of a theater with.

Speaker 5 (32:58):
Them was there a moment where you were, like MAYBE
i need to give this up or were you, like,
No i'm doing this no matter.

Speaker 1 (33:06):
What between horseback riding and grinding it Out monday Through,
FRIDAY i really need some good. Gloves if you are
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Speaker 5 (33:23):
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Speaker 7 (33:57):
Back, well don't have a lot of other.

Speaker 8 (34:01):
OPTIONS i have no computer, Skills so, YEAH i don't
THINK i could even run.

Speaker 7 (34:06):
A cash register at A.

Speaker 8 (34:08):
Starbucks so, YEAH i mean there's always, times especially SINCE
i started WHEN i was, ten where you, think you,
know is this.

Speaker 7 (34:20):
WHAT i should?

Speaker 8 (34:21):
Do SHOULD i be practical and try to get a
teaching degree like everybody else SO i can.

Speaker 7 (34:26):
Teach with this falls?

Speaker 8 (34:27):
Through BUT i was so fortunate THAT i kept, working
not always in things THAT i wanted to work, on
BUT i got married very young AND i was. Supporting
by the TIME i was, NINETEEN i was supporting a
husband and his, mother and.

Speaker 7 (34:40):
You, know so it was it was.

Speaker 8 (34:42):
Difficult SO i kind of had to get the. Job
AND i think that always stood me in good stead.
Too is you, know it wasn't a hobby for. ME i,
mean it was whether we're going to make the car
payment or? Not is IF i get this, job whether
it's a commercial or little movie or a new theater
show or.

Speaker 7 (35:00):
Whatever so there was always that kind of pressure on.

Speaker 8 (35:03):
It but, NO i mean there have been slow times
as a younger performer and also as an, Adult they've
always you, know of, course being an, actor you always
Think i'm never going to work. Again i'm never But
Jane fonda told me that her father every, time every
time he was between, shows he swore you'd never work.
Again you, know it comes with the.

Speaker 7 (35:20):
Territory you always, THINK i never they don't like me.
Anymore i've worn out my welcome And i'm never going
to work. Again but the.

Speaker 8 (35:28):
Other thing that you learn is that you just keep
putting one foot in front of the.

Speaker 7 (35:33):
Other and who was, It Robert?

Speaker 8 (35:36):
Cross somebody was, asked you, know what is what is
the secret to? Life and he, said it goes. On
it just goes. On and that's with your career. Too you,
know you just kept put in one foot in front
of the.

Speaker 7 (35:52):
Other so.

Speaker 5 (35:55):
And can we ask? You so we talked With Stan
zimmerman on our Podcast The coat The eighties Of Divas,
christmas and we loved. It and it was right down our, alley.
Okay and what an incredible cast and You Nicolette, Sheridan Donna,
Mills Lenda gray and of Course Lonnie. Anderson was that
a fun?

Speaker 8 (36:14):
Shoot oh my, god we had so much. Fun we
had so much. Fun it was so great BECAUSE i
realized when we started, SHOOTING i was the only one
who knew all of.

Speaker 7 (36:24):
Them nicolette had.

Speaker 8 (36:25):
Done her first series Was Paper, dolls which was one
of my series in the. Eighties donna And londie AND
i had Done Bob hope specials together numerous, ones And,
linda you, KNOW i started On. DALLAS i mean that
first YEAR i created The Jena wag. Characters SO i
was the only one who knew. Everybody So i'm introducing.
Everybody but it was great fun just sitting around talking

(36:48):
AND i, SAID i said one day to the, LADIES i,
said you, know when we were younger and we get,
together it's like who are you? Wearing where are you
going for? Dinner or when you know what's going on
today is oh?

Speaker 7 (36:57):
House the here for? Placement oh how are the grand?

Speaker 8 (36:59):
Kids AND i think we're all fortunate, too because Like
linda And, donna they look, great And nicolette is younger
than we. Are lonnie look. Fabulous, everybody you, know for
old BRODSK.

Speaker 7 (37:13):
I think we aged. Well you.

Speaker 8 (37:15):
Know so there's nobody that was on the set that you,
said oh my, god what Have oh, okay everybody and
just it's such a great group of, ladies really nice.
People and again that's the nice thing about this industry
is when you get to work with nice, people AND
i think maybe they were worried we'd have diva fights or,
something but none of us bring that to the.

Speaker 7 (37:35):
Table you. KNOW i Love, LINDA i Love. DONNA i
Mean lannie was such.

Speaker 8 (37:41):
A wonderful human being and that whole, shoot all she
could talk about was cooking for her grandkids For christmas
and her famous mulled wine, recipe and you, know just
such a family. Lady and her husband was there every
day with, her and so her daughter.

Speaker 7 (37:59):
Visited so it was very much to.

Speaker 8 (38:00):
Family, said And donna's daughter is in the movie and she,
visited you, know so very much kind of a family
affair that.

Speaker 7 (38:06):
Movie we were hoping we'd do.

Speaker 5 (38:08):
MORE i was going to, say any chance of Divas christmas,
TOO i need A Davis christmas.

Speaker 7 (38:12):
Too, well that's very kind of.

Speaker 8 (38:14):
YOU i, mean tell Tell, Lifetime, Lifetime tell, lifetime because
we were really hoping we'd do. One you, know we
had a great, time so we were hoping it.

Speaker 7 (38:25):
Would be a Yearly christmas.

Speaker 5 (38:26):
Event all, right, well, we'll, we'll, we'll we'll tell our
listeners to, go you, know shake shake the trees a Lifetime.

Speaker 8 (38:34):
Lifetime ladies of The eighties of Divas. Christmas you want
more more?

Speaker 5 (38:38):
DIVAS i was playing.

Speaker 7 (38:40):
For The ladies Hit, paris you, know.

Speaker 5 (38:43):
Uh And I'm i'm Also i'm going to be really
grateful and appreciative of your activism over the years and
your sort of outspokenness in the face of both what's
happening now but that you've always. Done you were EARLY aides.
Activists what drove you for? That like what brought you
to that and did you ever feel like it in?
Danger do in terms of it like your, Career oh it?

Speaker 7 (39:05):
Did THE aide thing did? Well you, Know i'm a science.

Speaker 8 (39:09):
NERD i wanted to be a, doctor a paleontologist WHEN
i was a. Kid So i've just always kept my hand.
In so one of my weird hobbies is emerging viruses in,
epidemiology and so WHEN aids came, ALONG i had been
tracking it already before it had a. Name and so
suddenly When Rock hudson got, sick you, KNOW i was
the only like famous person that could go on television

(39:30):
and explain what a retrovirus is and how you do
and don't get it and things like, that AND i
felt a moral. Obligation i'm so. Aquarian you, Know i'm
always trying to save the. World, YEAH i felt a
moral obligation to try to get people educated about it
because there was so much fear. Mentality people under forty
listening to this would probably not know the kind of

(39:52):
fear that Gripped america about this disease at that. Time
SO i did lose, FRIENDS i did lose work kind.
OF i did GET i, think written off of a
show because of it on my, activism BECAUSE i became
as one friend who was a casting director later told,
me you, KNOW i became, controversial so you, know my
name would come up in a casting session and z, oh,

(40:14):
no she's doing all THAT aid.

Speaker 7 (40:15):
Stuff she's. Controversial we can't do.

Speaker 8 (40:17):
That SO i know it hurt my, career but it
was the best THING i ever did with my, life
BECAUSE i did THINK i helped educate. PEOPLE i, MEAN
i testified Before congress to get funding FOR aids, research
worked with Doctor fauci and Ce Efrett cooper was The
Surgeon general at the, time worked all through the eighties
and nineties with. Them and you, know, nowadays because of

(40:40):
a lot of the education and also because of a
lot of the, research now people who are diagnosed WITH
aids don't face a death sentence like they did. Then
so you, know you feel like you did some little
part in world history Or american history to help save some.
Lives so that is much bigger consolation than you, know

(41:00):
being on SOME tv.

Speaker 9 (41:01):
Movie, WELL i appreciate, it AND i also appreciate your
sort of outspokenness, now or at least just speaking out at,
anything because it's a really scary.

Speaker 5 (41:13):
Time how do you stay engaged and not get overwhelmed or?

Speaker 8 (41:16):
Disheartened you, know it's my whole approach to. Life you
put one foot in front of the. Other you recognize
what's going. On you try to alert other people to
what's going, on people who you.

Speaker 5 (41:26):
KNOW i.

Speaker 7 (41:27):
Don't my fiance died OF.

Speaker 8 (41:28):
Covid one Reason i'm very active ON covid education, too
BECAUSE covid is not, over and it is not just a,
cold and it has long term repercussions in your. Body
AND i have a lot of friends who are in
different various ways disabled now and some with. Cancer i'm
waiting for kidney, TRANSPLANT i, mean but also just brain
fog and no longer functioning and able to. WORK i

(41:49):
have a lot of friends in that. Category, Now SO
i try to educate people on, that but a lot
of because my fiance passed, AWAY i was a caretaker
he At parkinson's for years before the LAST covid.

Speaker 7 (42:00):
INFECTION i don't have, KIDS i have. CATS i have.

Speaker 8 (42:05):
Time you, know other people are wrapped up in taking
care of their families and other. THINGS i have time
to read and educate myself on a lot of. Things
SO i try to educate. PEOPLE i try to put out.
ARTICLES i try never to call anybody any. NAMES i
don't believe in, that AND i try TO i try

(42:26):
to just put out facts so people have the facts
to work. With sometimes they want to hear. That SOMETIMES
i get a lot of. Pushback SOMETIMES i get called
a lot of ugly. Names Sometimes i've got a lot of.
Threats but, AGAIN i feel a moral, obligation especially in
this precarious time we're living in right, now to just
remind people about facts and what is happening to our right,

(42:47):
now what is happening to our, democracy and remind people
because apparently they didn't teach civics AFTER i got out
of high, school so people don't understand how it's supposed to,
work how the government is supposed to hand hang, together
and it's supposed to work to guarantee your. Rights SO
i try to educate, people print a lot of, articles
And i'm kind of an. AGGREGATOR i put out articles

(43:10):
THAT i think are, interesting in videos THAT i think are,
interesting especially the last couple of, days and so let
people see what the real facts are and they can
make up their own. Mind i'm not trying to sway,
anybody or brat, anybody or browbeat, anybody although a lot
of them try to, me but that's not my approach to.
Life my approach is to be, kind to be of

(43:33):
a generous, heart to reach out to other, people and
to remind people that we're all human and we are
all in this together and we need to care for each.
Other to, me that's The christian value THAT i was raised,
with to care for one, another and as a quote
from The, bible and so you, know that's always my

(43:57):
approach to. Life SO i just try to. Help that's
always been my kind of, thing is you, KNOW i
just want to. Help if it's people WITH, aids if
it's people who need a little, cash if it's saving.
ANIMALS i try to get a lot of dogs and
cats rescued on My twitter and The Blue sky.

Speaker 7 (44:16):
And, instagram you, Know but it's always trying to reach.

Speaker 8 (44:18):
Out we were fortunate that our mentor In dallas that
we grew up with always said that acting is reaching
out in love to your fellow. Man and that's always
the Way i've approached the work And i've approached my,
life AND i would just like to see our country
return to that and remind each other that we are

(44:38):
all in it.

Speaker 7 (44:39):
Together we may.

Speaker 8 (44:40):
Differ on ways to achieve the, best more perfect, union
but we shouldn't be debating the, facts the facts of the,
facts and we should not be demeaning each other and
denigrating each other's. Humanity that we are all here, together
and we are all human beings under the eyes of The,
lord if that's the way you want to look at.

(45:02):
It but we are all in it together to sink or,
Swim SO i think it's better to.

Speaker 6 (45:07):
Help that's really that's really, Beautiful and as you, said
we just need more of that kind of an attitude
and that kind of. Approach we, are whatever our differences,
are if we approach each other from a mindset of
being willing to listen and being willing to have our minds,

(45:27):
open then we can accomplish. Things we can't accomplish things
if we don't do, that and that's the problem we.

Speaker 8 (45:33):
Have, well AND i, KNOW i mean just for me,
Personally like one Actor i've worked with a couple of
times years ago and has become a very vociferous in
his kind of WHAT i consider right wing. Approach and you,
KNOW i run into him at a green room and
an autograph show AND i go over AND i can
see him sort of clinch up As i'm coming over

(45:53):
because we disagree on. Politics BUT i, said you, KNOW
i heard your wife has cancer and how is she?
Doing and he just, went, Oh, morgan thank, you thank
you for. Asking you, know it's like just remembering the,
humanity just remembering the person that's in, there that we are.
All we are all people trying to get through this

(46:13):
thing called life, together.

Speaker 5 (46:17):
If we.

Speaker 6 (46:17):
MAY i, mean you mentioned your sister, again and we'd
love to talk and hear more about your Podcast wow
and how it got, started how the two of you
came to create, it and, yeah we'd love to hear
more about.

Speaker 7 (46:30):
It oh, well that's very kind of. You thank you so.
Well you, know we started off in theater.

Speaker 8 (46:36):
Together i'm only a year and a half, older and you,
know we just went through everything.

Speaker 7 (46:40):
Together she's the one who went up To.

Speaker 8 (46:41):
JULLIARD i got married young and supporting, people and we
had kind of two different. Approaches now she's teaching acting
In texas and winning like best you, know acting coach
In texas awards all the. Time her name Is Catherine
hart and her company Is heart And soul J.

Speaker 7 (46:55):
R T t And.

Speaker 8 (46:56):
Soul for anybody interested in acting. Classes but, she you,
know DURING, covid we just realized we kind of were
trying so hard not to step on each other's work,
schedules and with the time difference Between texas AND la
and we were just weren't talking as. Much so we
started scheduling A sunday, afternoon late afternoon talk every week
when she would finish teaching and would drive up to

(47:18):
our lake. House it's an hour and a half. Drive
we would just talk and you, know talk about the,
world talk about, childhood talk about mom and, dad talk
about our, cousins talking about our, friends you, know just girl,
talk sister. Talk and so the last SPRING i had
a reading With John, edwards who was a guest on our,
podcast and he had, said you, know you should really

(47:39):
think about doing other things, too and opening yourself up
to writing or doing other. Things And i'm starting to,
think you, know everybody's doing a, podcast why don't we
do a podcast and just do what we, Do.

Speaker 7 (47:52):
Like what you ladies.

Speaker 8 (47:52):
Do you talk and we talk to each, other and you,
Know i've got a million friends in the business and
a lot in foreign policy AND dc connections and stuff
over the, years and let's just have people on and
just talk about, stuff you.

Speaker 7 (48:05):
Know so and so that's what we.

Speaker 8 (48:07):
Do so some of them are a little more serious than.
Others some of the, podcasts but the one With Linda
GRAY i thought was. Hysterical but our producer wants to
do a pre. Interview but then he writes a script that's, like, So,
linda what was it like the first day you Met
Larry hagman on the?

Speaker 7 (48:21):
Set you?

Speaker 8 (48:22):
Know AND i but Whereas i'll, say BECAUSE i Know, lida, Say,
linda tell the story about when you And larry were
doing THIS pr appearance and you're all in white for
this big gala and you go to the top of
the hill for this fancy house of this big gala
with billionaires and. Stuff and then you're coming back down
in this like kind of fancy rickshaw and you get
stuck in the mud trying to get it out and

(48:42):
you get covered in chicken. Shit and then you have,
that and so we just have a grand old. Time
and then the one we Have Patrick duffy, too who
is the, sweetest dearest man and you, know telling funny
stories And i'm trying to get him to talk.

Speaker 7 (48:54):
About man From.

Speaker 8 (48:55):
Atlanti it's not Just, dallas you, know talk about, life
talk about your, feeling talk about, things you, know not
just the hit show or like With Donna.

Speaker 7 (49:03):
Mills let's talk for a minute about nuts.

Speaker 8 (49:05):
Landing and THEN i want to know what made you
decide to adopt at fifty?

Speaker 7 (49:10):
Four you, KNOW i want to, know like what made
you decide to move to la when you were doing
really well In New? York you, know how did you
make the business? Decision how do you make these life?

Speaker 8 (49:18):
Jumps you, know these are the things that are interesting
to me is the people's.

Speaker 7 (49:22):
Stuff so that's what we try to aim.

Speaker 8 (49:24):
For and, also you, know have people laugh and sometimes
share grief or share, emotions share when they were, scared
share you know when times weren't, good so that our
sees sees we are all in it. Together everybody goes
through rough. Times everybody has times when they think nothing's
going to work out in their life for, them and you,

(49:47):
know it's somebody believing in, you somebody willing to, listen somebody,
saying you, know just come talk to.

Speaker 7 (49:52):
Me that makes a huge.

Speaker 5 (49:54):
Difference you had on an influencer and that was an amazing.
Interview that was really. Cool but you, know.

Speaker 7 (50:00):
My sister's he's a student of.

Speaker 8 (50:02):
Hers and then we just taped AND i don't know
when they'll, run but we just taped With Jess, sinclair
who was also a student of my sister that my
sister took on when she was a, kid and now
she's on this show JEN v and it's a huge.
Hit she has superpowers and so there's one of. Them
and then we talked to my Friend Norm, ornstein who
is the foremost expert on The congress In america and

(50:23):
voting rights and certainly all these are important. Things so
we've talked To, john we talked To Tom nichols from
The atlantic Of, russia expert friend of mine who taught
at The Naval War college for twenty five years and
now writes for The. Atlantic so it's kind of all
over the. Place when people were, saying, oh you, know, like,
so what's your.

Speaker 7 (50:39):
Theme and it's my theme is WHOEVER i want to
talk to this? Week it's, like WHOEVER i feel like.

Speaker 8 (50:45):
Talk i've got a lot of, friends let's see get
to come, on you, know so and just cover the,
gamut BECAUSE i don't want it to be Just, hollywood
AND i don't want it to be too heavy on
politics BECAUSE i don't want to alienate. PEOPLE i don't
want people to feel that they are not welcome and,
so BUT i do want it to be on ideas

(51:06):
and concepts and what's happening now In america and possible
ways to solve it or reach out or recognize that
the danger we're in without name, calling without you, know
yelling at each, other without any of that. Stuff, so you,
know when when we decided we're going to do, it
then you have to sit around and figure out what
are you going to call? It and you, know and

(51:27):
so we're kicking around all these names AND i thought
a lot were too, cute, ye and it's like a
lot we're too.

Speaker 7 (51:31):
Boring and not.

Speaker 8 (51:32):
Memorable and FINALLY i just, said you, know to my
producer and my, SISTER i, said you, know it's really
just two bitches From texas sitting around talking and trying
to save the.

Speaker 7 (51:40):
World and SO i, said two bitches From. Texas it's
two bitches From, texas which is kind of the irreverent.
THING i, like you, know, yeah.

Speaker 6 (51:52):
Do you have kind of a wish list that you,
have like in the back of your mind of people
that you haven't had on yet that you'd really love
to talk?

Speaker 8 (51:59):
To, yes, well of, COURSE i, mean and a couple
of people That i've asked that you, know said. No
at this, POINT i, think you, know and, LISTEN i
know how that works because if people come to MY
pr guy with with the you, know request for a,
podcast you, know my question is how many followers do they?

Speaker 7 (52:16):
HAVE i, mean is anybody gonna hear? It da da da?

Speaker 8 (52:18):
Da and we're starting, out you, know SO i understand
that some people may want to wait and see if
we actually do.

Speaker 7 (52:23):
Anything SO i won't mention who they are that said
no or said we'll get back to. You we'll get
back to you when you have three million.

Speaker 5 (52:31):
FOLLOWERS i don't know what you're talking. About no one ever.

Speaker 8 (52:35):
SAID i know you can you late can identify.

Speaker 7 (52:39):
It so it's been great.

Speaker 8 (52:42):
Fun it's been it's been really great fun because you,
know we divvy up the. RESEARCH i don't know how
you guys do, it but you, know like one of
us will read a, book you, know Like John edwards
had a book. OUT i read his. Book Steveh tabalowski
had some older books. Out my sister found when she read.
THAT i go research you a lot Of stevens other
interviews and video, interviews written interviews With John edwards sayme,

(53:04):
thing you look at his other, interviews what is he
comfortable talking? About and, then BECAUSE i Know john a,
Little i'm, like would you feel comfortable talking about?

Speaker 7 (53:11):
This is this?

Speaker 8 (53:11):
Okay or like when we just Had, norman which is
not run. Yet norman they lost a son a few years,
ago they lost their, son and SO i had to,
say you, know would you feel comfortable talking about this
BECAUSE i know you established this debate institute in his,
honor which you few and he said, yes yes of.
Course so you, know but you you don't want to
put people on the. Spot you don't want to do gotcha,

(53:33):
things especially to, Friends i'll never talk to you. Again you,
know you just try to find fun people who can
tell a funny, story but also who can educate. People
it's like our first one that ran Was Donna, mills
and that's kind of like, normal you would think, That
but Then Tom nichols was our next, one and we
didn't know if people would transition to From Donna hollywood To.

(53:56):
Tom foreign policy and military poddles and, stuff.

Speaker 7 (54:01):
Well you, know the issues we.

Speaker 8 (54:02):
Discussed what the feedback we got, was it's so nice
to hear people talking about ideas without name calling and
screaming at each.

Speaker 7 (54:10):
Other AND i learned a, lot you. Know so part
of it is again educating.

Speaker 8 (54:14):
People and like the one With, norm we talked to
him about The Voting Right tact And Second article two
things and stuff like. This so, again because it seems
like a lot of people get confused and don't know
what their rights really.

Speaker 7 (54:28):
ARE i think they don't.

Speaker 8 (54:29):
Teach civics, anymore and so a lot of, people especially younger,
people don't really know how this all fits. Together so
sometimes it's nice just to have a discussion trying to
keep it light of.

Speaker 7 (54:41):
Where are we? Going how did we get? Here what
can we do about?

Speaker 8 (54:44):
It what's some positive thing we can do today to
make a, difference you, know and give people, hope you,
know talk about the real, issues but also give people
hope positive steps they can.

Speaker 7 (54:56):
TAKE i think is. Important positive is always. Important, Agreed.

Speaker 5 (55:01):
AGREED i want to do one more throwback. Question you
started as a stand in For fade done away On
bonnie And. Clyde is that?

Speaker 8 (55:10):
Correct, NO i started WHEN i was ten in the,
theater AND i wasn't her stand, in because a stand
in is actually.

Speaker 7 (55:20):
These are all just. Jargon these are technical.

Speaker 8 (55:22):
TERMS a stand in is somebody who stands while they're
doing the lighting setup to do the lighting so the
star doesn't have to just stand. THERE i was a
double for, her not a body double which implies, nudity
just a. Double so a lot of the driving scenes
or if you can see her where she's supposed to
be her and she's in, silhouette or it's behind the you,
know shooting from behind in the driving, scenes it's Not,

(55:44):
faye it's.

Speaker 7 (55:44):
Me i'm or.

Speaker 8 (55:45):
Double and So benette was great, fun you, know it
was great. Fun that was the first Time i'd been
on a movie set after years already of being in the,
theater so it was.

Speaker 5 (55:54):
Fun and so when people are seeing the, movie if
it's a driving scene and it's behind fade in the,
way that is actually, You.

Speaker 7 (56:02):
Well there's. One there's.

Speaker 8 (56:03):
One it's real easy to tell it's me because it's
one that people mostly remember from the movie where they're
doing a getaway from the bank robbery and they they
and it's a little narrow country road and they've got
a little old fashioned truck coming at them with a
load of chickens on the, back and it's, like are
they going to hit or? Not because it's a narrow,

(56:25):
road and you shoot it from the back of my
head Because i'm supposed to be, DRIVING i, Think but
if you because you're looking at the, chickens wonder if
we're going to, hit you're not looking at the back
of my head because my hair is longer than phase
and a different colored blonde. Phase but your line doesn't go,
there you.

Speaker 5 (56:41):
Know but that's one.

Speaker 7 (56:42):
That's easy to spot in the movie that it's me
instead Of.

Speaker 4 (56:44):
Fay that is.

Speaker 5 (56:46):
Amazing and you were, Sixteen, yeah that's pretty, Incredible, LIKE i,
mean did you know what did it feel? Like Because
i've read a little bit about the making of. It
it was part, of you, know this new wave of,
cinema so it was very. Different it was made very
differently than a lot Of hollywood at the. Time, so,
like was it a chaotic? Set was it a very buttoned?

(57:09):
Upset did you feel Like i'm part of something really
cool and? Interesting what was it like for?

Speaker 8 (57:15):
You, well it's like every movie when you start, off
you have no idea this is going to become a cult.

Speaker 7 (57:21):
Classic you're just, working you.

Speaker 8 (57:22):
Know and SO i had been BECAUSE i was in the.
THEATER i was getting ready to walk out the door
to go do opening night of a funny thing happened
on the way to the, forum AND i get a
call from Because i'd been doing.

Speaker 7 (57:35):
Some commercials in.

Speaker 8 (57:36):
Town there was a gentleman who owned all sound stages
where you shot everything In dallas at that. Time and
he called and he, said you want to be in a?
Movie AND i, said, yeah, Sure CAN i call you?
Tomorrow he, says, no, no, NO i need you. TO
i need you to be on the. Set if you
want to do, it be at The North park in
at five am. Tomorrow And i'm, like five, Am i'm
opening nights and. Nights so he, said, well if you

(57:58):
want to do, it you got to be.

Speaker 7 (57:59):
There, well, okay, Okay i'll do.

Speaker 8 (58:01):
It and Then justice he's getting off the, phone he, says,
oh can you drive stick? Shift and of, course being an,
ACTOR i lied to my cheeth and, said of.

Speaker 7 (58:09):
Course you.

Speaker 8 (58:09):
Know THEN i got to the theater and, say, guys
you got to take me out in the alley at
intermission to show me how to drive stick. Shift, fortunately
those old cars are kind of like big. Toys they're
not too fancy with this, shifting but you. Know so
THEN i arrive at The North park in at five
am and the pitch. Black it's Like november And texas
it's cold and it's pitch black still at five, am

(58:30):
AND i don't know What i'm. Doing they put us
all everybody on this big bus and drive us like
an hour and a half out of town into the
middle of, Nowhere. Texas it's just flat with some scrub
oaks and dirt roads and you, know real, country and
then they kind of dump us all, there AND i
don't know what to. Do SO i said to, somebody you, know,
well what SHOULD i? Do and they, said, well whyn't

(58:51):
you go look at the? Set AND i, said, okay
where's the? Set they, said go down that, road you,
Know so here's this pitch. Black they give me a little.
Flashlight it's this rutted dirt. Road And i'm walking down
this road And i'm walking and walk in my little
flashlight AND i don't see anything that looks like a.
Set and finally the sun is just starting to come
up AND i see this guy walking toward, me kind

(59:12):
of with his hands in his, pockets kind of slouched,
over AND i, said excuse, me, sir do you know
the way to the? Set and he looked up and
it Was Warren. Batty AND i tell, You warren baby
with the son coming up behind him at twenty eight
was the most gorgeous Thing i've ever.

Speaker 7 (59:24):
Seen and he, Says i'll show you the. Set i'll
show you the.

Speaker 8 (59:29):
Set took me down to the, set which was it
was the day they were Shooting Dub taylor, scene who
Is MICHAEL.

Speaker 7 (59:36):
J pollard's? Father where they go.

Speaker 8 (59:38):
And he's telling them to stay away From bonnie And
clyde because they're going to get you, killed which indeed they,
did you. Know so it was kind of an important.
Scene but you, know because everybody's talking so. Soft i'm
used to.

Speaker 7 (59:49):
The theater where you filled the, theater and.

Speaker 8 (59:51):
These people are talking so. SOFT i can't really hear
them very. Well i'm creeping closer and closer trying to hear,
them you, Know and that's WHEN i, Realized, oh filmmaking
is very. Different you can talk really because the microphone
does it for.

Speaker 4 (01:00:02):
You SO i was.

Speaker 7 (01:00:04):
Great it was great being on the.

Speaker 8 (01:00:05):
SET i, MEAN i think it Was Gene hackman's maybe third, Movie,
phase maybe third. Movie Stelle parsons was, Fabulous Michael pollard was.
Wonderful warrent obviously was a doll and have a lot
of pressure because you, know up until then he had
been known more as a glamour boy actor and this
was the first, time you, know being a. Producer AND i,

(01:00:26):
know my teachers at school would follow me around and,
say What's Warren baby really? Like And i'd say he's
really smart and they'd, say oh, yeah AND i, said,
no he's really. Smart And Arthur PENN i would baby
Said arthur's children when they would come visit the set
IF i didn't have anything to, Do AND i remember
there was one day where they were shooting a scene
and you, KNOW i was just kind of hanging around
and this one young, actor very very, nervous had kind

(01:00:48):
of a nice, scene not a huge, thing but a
nice scene in the. Movie it was a nice showcase
then a. Thing and he was very nervous and they
were kind of running, late And i'm kind of holding
his hand all. Day and that Was Gene, wilder and you,
know had the kind of memorable scene in the. Movie
and you, know years, LATER i rented A gene on
the street In New york AND i, Said, gene you,
know you remember the kid who sat with you on

(01:01:10):
the set all Day alonni And.

Speaker 4 (01:01:11):
Clyde that was.

Speaker 1 (01:01:12):
Me that was.

Speaker 5 (01:01:13):
You, yeah.

Speaker 7 (01:01:16):
But just so many wonderful.

Speaker 8 (01:01:18):
People just getting to be a fly on the wall
and get to watch them, work watch how they did
everything for, camera which was very different from Everything i'd
done growing up in the. Theater you, know you're just always,
learning just, learn just watch and, learn and you.

Speaker 7 (01:01:32):
Know so it was it was great.

Speaker 8 (01:01:33):
FUN i, mean nobody knew it was going to be
this huge hit and become a cult. Classic nobody. Knew
you never know when you start the things you think
are going to be really great sometimes fall apart in
editing and, promotion and nobody ever hears of, them so
you never have an idea of what's really going to
happen with. Him BUT i was very fortunate that that
was my first movie set because that's WHEN i kind
of fell in love with movie. Sets and you, know, Thanks,

(01:01:56):
YEAH i love, theater but you, KNOW i love movie.

Speaker 7 (01:01:59):
Sets that's.

Speaker 5 (01:02:00):
Amazing oh my, gosh thank you so. Much people can
find the podcast at Two bitches From.

Speaker 8 (01:02:08):
Texas, yes Two bitches on, YouTube, spotify anywhere you get
your podcast probably just like you guys and uh.

Speaker 7 (01:02:15):
Anywhere it's just Two bitches From.

Speaker 8 (01:02:17):
Texas and we've got a few episodes you can pick
and choose whatever once you. Want Steven tabolowski's very, funny
AND i think The Linda gray The donno millis To Patrick.
Duffy patrick's a very sweet, guy and you, know And
Linda pearl makes us a brief appearance in her. Bathrobe
we're very casual around this.

Speaker 7 (01:02:35):
Place it's.

Speaker 5 (01:02:37):
Fantastic, listeners definitely go and check it. Out it's pretty.
Amazing it's one of my new. Favorites so thank, you thank,
you thank you so much for coming on our podcast
today and being telling us all about being an EIGHTIES tv.

Speaker 8 (01:02:51):
Lady oh, well thank, you thank you for having, me
and thank you for doing, this because it's so nice
when people do remember how fun things were in the
eighties and so many fun shows and kind of iconic
shows that came out in the seventies and. Eighties so
it's nice when people.

Speaker 7 (01:03:05):
Remember, thanks thank.

Speaker 1 (01:03:07):
You between horseback riding and grinding it Out monday Through,
FRIDAY i really need some good. Gloves if you are
tired of, stiff uncomfortable, gloves you Need Bare.

Speaker 5 (01:03:23):
Knuckles that's b Ear.

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Fatigue they have super, awesome strong and flexible gloves for
all heavy duty, occasions, gardening outdoor, work and even. Welding
my kids love their welding. Gloves stop wearing out your.
Hands use our exclusive Code EIGHTIES Tv ladies get fifteen
percent off any product at Buybare knuckles dot. Com thelink
is in our description.

Speaker 4 (01:03:56):
For our audioography.

Speaker 6 (01:03:57):
Today you can Find Moorgan child on our Website morganfairchild
dot com and on Her. Instagram Morgan fairchild. One that's
the number one and my new.

Speaker 5 (01:04:10):
Obsession Morgan Fairchild Super looks book is available On. eBay
links will be in our description.

Speaker 6 (01:04:16):
And please check out the Two bitches From texas podcast
at Two bitches From texas dot com or wherever you
find your.

Speaker 5 (01:04:23):
Podcast and that's too like the number two. Two, hey
if you want to let your representatives know what you
think about what is happening In america, today you can do.
So you should call their. Office the website five calls
dot org can help you find your rep and give

(01:04:44):
you scripts for what to. Say check it out and
lift your. Voice five calls dot org the number five
C A L l s dot org can really help
you out and makes it.

Speaker 6 (01:04:56):
Easy for our next, episode we have such a really wonderful.
Guest we'll be joined by a dear friend Of melissa
And susan from their usc film school, Days Miss Karen.

Speaker 5 (01:05:08):
Elstad karen is a vice president AT, hbo so a
MODERN tv lady in her own. Right she is also
the daughter of an incredible EIGHTIES tv. Lady her, Mom Linda,
elstad wrote on many many cool shows in the seventies and,
eighties Including dallas And One day at a, Time.

Speaker 6 (01:05:29):
Karen is going to tell us stories about her, mom
hanging In texas With Larry, hagman and the eighties shows
AND tv movies That linda wrote.

Speaker 5 (01:05:37):
For Including Divorce, wars A Love story Starring Tom selleck
And Jane, curtin for which she won The Humanitis. Prize
AND i remember that this is a, really really fun.
Episode we had such a blast talking With karen on,
it so don't miss. It tune In.

Speaker 6 (01:05:55):
As, always we Hope EIGHTIES Tv ladies brings you joy
and laughter and lots of fabulous new and old shows to,
watch all of which will bring us closer to being
amazing ladies of the twenty first.

Speaker 4 (01:06:06):
Century EIGHTIES Tb ladies one hundred.

Speaker 5 (01:06:10):
Episode maybe T B ladies one hundred. Episodes you need
to pop champagne

Speaker 2 (01:06:22):
Hand so pretty into the, City money manor e

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