Hollywood Obsessed

In Part Two of this candid and entertaining conversation, Tony Miros continues his deep dive with Gregory Harrison—exploring the bold choices, unforgettable roles, and personal stories that defined his life as one of television’s most recognizable leading men. Gregory opens up about producing and starring in the cult-favorite TV movie “For Ladies Only,” the groundbreaking project that turned him into an ’80s heartthrob and unexpected pop-culture sensation. He shares how real-life experiences inspired the story, what it was like training with Chippendales dancers, and how the film’s success connected him with a passionate and loyal fan base.
 
The conversation also revisits Gregory’s scene-stealing turn on “Falcon Crest,” where he stepped into villain territory for the first time as the slick and deliciously devious Michael Sharpe—earning award nominations and proving just how fun it is to play the bad guy. From his comedic work on the cult miniseries “Fresno” alongside legends like Carol Burnett, to his lasting friendships with co-stars across decades, Gregory offers a behind-the-scenes look at the joy, pressure, and evolution of life at the top of Hollywood.
 
Gregory then reflects on one of the most meaningful projects of his career, the powerful film “It’s My Party,” and what it meant to help tell a compassionate, human story about love and the AIDS crisis alongside an all-star cast. He also shares heartfelt memories of working with icons like Olivia Newton-John, his continued success on shows like “9-1-1” and “General Hospital,” and the enduring on-screen chemistry he shares with longtime collaborators like Wendie Malick.
 
It’s a moving, funny, and deeply personal conversation about legacy, resilience, and what it really means to be a star. And as Gregory looks ahead—writing his memoir and continuing to create—he reveals the one thing he hopes people will remember most: that he lived his life as a good man who always tried to take the high road.

GREGORY HARRISON
Gregory Harrison is an American actor, born in Avalon, California. Harrison gained widespread recognition for his role as Dr. George Alonzo "Gonzo" Gates on the popular television series, Trapper John, M.D., which aired from 1979 to 1986. His portrayal of the charming and skilled surgeon earned him critical acclaim and a loyal fan base.

Besides 7 years on TrapperJohn, M.D., Harrison has appeared in countless other TV shows including Logan's Run, the miniseries Centennial, Falcon Crest, One Tree Hill, Joey, Rizzoli And Isles, and most recently, 3 years on General Hospital. He has also starred in over 50 TV movies and a dozen feature films. 

In addition to his television and film work, Harrison has appeared in numerous stage productions on Broadway and regionally, including Steel Pier, Follies, Chicago, Guys And Dolls, and The Lion InWinter. 

Harrison is also known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in supporting environmental causes and the arts. An avid surfer, Harrison has been on the advisory board of the Surfrider Foundation for decades. He has long been a spokesperson for cancer charities and, with 38 grateful years of sobriety, he continues to try to help others live clean and sober lives. 
 
Gregory Harrison Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/p/Gregory-Harrison-100058317420519/
 
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Music by⁠⁠ ⁠QubeSounds⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠

In Part One of this lively and revealing two-part conversation, host Tony Miros sits down with beloved television icon Gregory Harrison—best known as Dr. “Gonzo” Gates on “Trapper John, M.D.” and Michael Sharpe on “Falcon Crest.” Gregory takes us all the way back to his childhood on Catalina Island, where his family ran the famous glass-bottom boat and where, as a teenager, he first fell in love with acting after watching stars like Doris Day and Rod Taylor film scenes right in his own backyard. That spark would carry him through his service as an Army medic during the Vietnam era and ultimately into a decades-long Hollywood career.

Along the way, Gregory shares incredible behind-the-scenes stories from his early days studying acting on the GI Bill, learning from powerhouse performers like Karen Black on “Trilogy of Terror.” He reflects on his breakout year starring in “Logan’s Run,” his close friendships with co-stars like Heather Menzies and Donald Moffat, and the unforgettable moment he landed his breakthrough role as Dr. “Gonzo” Gates on “Trapper John, M.D.” opposite the formidable Pernell Roberts—a collaboration that would shape his life both professionally and personally.

Gregory also pulls back the curtain on life as a top TV star in the 1980s—screen tests, studio lots buzzing with shows like “The Love Boat,” “M*A*S*H” and “Charlie’s Angels,” and working with stars such as Cheryl Ladd. He also opens up about the realities of fame, the pressures that come with sudden success, and the personal challenges he faced behind the scenes—including his journey to sobriety and what he’s learned about resilience, compassion, and staying grounded in Hollywood.

It’s a warm, honest, and often funny conversation about talent, resilience, and the remarkable life of a true Hollywood leading man—packed with stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

GREGORY HARRISON
Gregory Harrison is an American actor, born in Avalon, California. Harrison gained widespread recognition for his role as Dr. George Alonzo "Gonzo" Gates on the popular television series, Trapper John, M.D., which aired from 1979 to 1986. His portrayal of the charming and skilled surgeon earned him critical acclaim and a loyal fan base.

Besides 7 years on TrapperJohn, M.D., Harrison has appeared in countless other TV shows including Logan's Run, the miniseries Centennial, Falcon Crest, One Tree Hill, Joey, Rizzoli And Isles, and most recently, 3 years on General Hospital. He has also starred in over 50 TV movies and a dozen feature films. 

In addition to his television and film work, Harrison has appeared in numerous stage productions on Broadway and regionally, including Steel Pier, Follies, Chicago, Guys And Dolls, and The Lion InWinter. 

Harrison is also known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in supporting environmental causes and the arts. An avid surfer, Harrison has been on the advisory board of the Surfrider Foundation for decades. He has long been a spokesperson for cancer charities and, with 38 grateful years of sobriety, he continues to try to help others live clean and sober lives. 
 
Gregory Harrison Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/p/Gregory-Harrison-100058317420519/
 
Gregory Harrison Cameo - https://www.cameo.com/gnhsurf 
 
The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/ ⁠⁠ ⁠
 
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Music by⁠⁠ ⁠QubeSounds⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠

In Part Two of this wildly entertaining and revealing conversation, host Tony Miros continues his deep dive with actress, screenwriter, and author Denise Nicholas, whose career places her at the center of some of Hollywood’s most unforgettable moments.

Denise walks us through her film journey—from the Aaron Spelling TV thriller “Five Desperate Women” to the cult classic “Blacula,” the first film to feature a Black vampire. She shares unforgettable stories about working with Sidney Poitier, including their first meeting at Carnegie Hall, and reflects on witnessing Hollywood “firsts,” including being among the earliest Black leading ladies on primetime television.

She also opens up about collaborating with legends such as Bill Cosby, James Earl Jones, Ossie Davis, and Brenda Vaccaro, winning an NAACP Image Award for “Let’s Do It Again,” and navigating the pressures of sitcom life on “Baby… I’m Back!”—an experience so stressful it sent her straight to Spain once the show ended.

The conversation turns especially powerful as Denise recounts joining “In the Heat of the Night,” forming a deep bond with Carroll O’Connor, and making television history once again as part of one of the era’s first interracial couples. Mentored by O’Connor, she went on to write six episodes of the series, launching a second career as a writer that led to her acclaimed novel “Freshwater Road” and her deeply personal memoir “Finding Home.” Honest, funny, and inspiring, this episode offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood—told by someone who truly lived it.

DENISE NICHOLAS
Denise Nicholas is best known for her groundbreaking role as high school guidance counselor Liz McIntyre on ABC’s “Room 222” and for co-starring as Councilwoman Harriet DeLong opposite Carroll O’Connor on “In the Heat of the Night.” Between those landmark series, she appeared on numerous television shows including A Different World, Amen, 227, Magnum P.I., The Cosby Show, and My Wife and Kids. Her film work includes Let’s Do It Again and A Piece of the Action with Sidney Poitier and Bill Cosby, as well as Ghost Dad. Over the course of her career, she earned three Golden Globe nominations, three NAACP Image Awards, and two Los Angeles Emmy Awards for the PBS special Voices of My People: In Celebration of Black Poetry.

Denise began her professional journey as a founding member of the Free Southern Theater,during the most dangerous years of the Civil Rights Movement. She later became a founding member of New York’s Negro Ensemble Company, the first professional company of its kind. From the stage of St. Mark’s Playhouse, she was invited to screen test for Room 222, launching a television career that would make history. During her time on In the Heat of the Night, she also wrote six episodes of the series under the mentorship of Carroll O’Connor.

After the series ended, Denise devoted her creative life to writing. She trained in Janet Fitch’s Journeyman’s Workshop, where she developed her acclaimed debut novel “Freshwater Road,” named one of the Best Books of 2005by The Washington Post and other major publications and later adapted for the stage at Brown University. Her writing has appeared in Essence, The Washington Post, and Hands on the Freedom Plow. Her memoir, “Finding Home,” was published by Agate Publishing in November 2025 and is available now in bookstores and online.
 
Denise Nicholas Website - https://denisenicholas.net/about/ 
 
To Purchase Denise’s Books on Amazon - https://tinyurl.com/5h4r4nwf 
 
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Music by⁠⁠ ⁠QubeSounds⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠

In Part One of this fascinating two-part conversation, host Tony Miros sits down with actress, writer, and trailblazing entertainer Denise Nicholas, best known for her iconic roles on the groundbreaking comedy-drama “Room 222” and the acclaimed series “In the Heat of the Night.” Denise opens up about her powerful new memoir, “Finding Home,” and why writing about her own life proved far more challenging than writing her celebrated novel, “Freshwater Road.”

Denise reflects on growing up in Detroit. She shares why storytelling requires balance: honesty without becoming too dark, and vulnerability mixed with humor. From being featured on the cover of Jet Magazine at just 16 as a “future educator” to eventually playing one on television, Denise’s journey is full of unexpected turns.

She takes us inside her life-changing years with the Free Southern Theater during the Civil Rights Movement, performing for rural Southern audiences who had never seen live theater before—and how profoundly meaningful those experiences were. Denise also recounts her move to New York, becoming a founding member of the Negro Ensemble Theatre, and the terrifying leap into television auditions.

One unforgettable moment leads directly to her breakout role on “Room 222”—including a nerve-wracking screen test at 20th Century Fox, a controversial “personality test,” and the sudden shock of instant fame. Denise shares behind-the-scenes stories from the show, her close friendships with castmates, working with Aretha Franklin, the darker side of celebrity, and even a wild chapter involving “The Dating Game” and a trip to Japan.

DENISE NICHOLAS
Denise Nicholas is best known for her groundbreaking role as high school guidance counselor Liz McIntyre on ABC’s “Room 222” and for co-starring as Councilwoman Harriet DeLong opposite Carroll O’Connor on “In the Heat of the Night.” Between those landmark series, she appeared on numerous television shows including A Different World, Amen, 227, Magnum P.I., The Cosby Show, and My Wife and Kids. Her film work includes Let’s Do It Again and A Piece of the Action with Sidney Poitier and Bill Cosby, as well as Ghost Dad. Over the course of her career, she earned three Golden Globe nominations, three NAACP Image Awards, and two Los Angeles Emmy Awards for the PBS special Voices of My People: In Celebration of Black Poetry.

Denise began her professional journey as a founding member of the Free Southern Theater,during the most dangerous years of the Civil Rights Movement. She later became a founding member of New York’s Negro Ensemble Company, the first professional company of its kind. From the stage of St. Mark’s Playhouse, she was invited to screen test for Room 222, launching a television career that would make history. During her time on In the Heat of the Night, she also wrote six episodes of the series under the mentorship of Carroll O’Connor.

After the series ended, Denise devoted her creative life to writing. She trained in Janet Fitch’s Journeyman’s Workshop, where she developed her acclaimed debut novel “Freshwater Road,” named one of the Best Books of 2005 by The Washington Post and other major publications and later adapted for the stage at Brown University. Her writing has appeared in Essence, The Washington Post, and Hands on the Freedom Plow. Her memoir, “Finding Home,” was published by Agate Publishing in November 2025 and is available now in bookstores and online.
 
Denise Nicholas Website - https://denisenicholas.net/about/ 
 
To Purchase Denise’s Books on Amazon - https://tinyurl.com/5h4r4nwf 
 
The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/ ⁠⁠ ⁠
 
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Music by⁠⁠ ⁠QubeSounds⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠

In Part Two of this wildly entertaining conversation, host Tony Miros continues his deep dive with legendary casting director Joel Thurm, pulling back the curtain on the chaos, creativity, and pure magic behind some of Hollywood’s most iconic projects. From producing The Boy in the Plastic Bubble under impossible time constraints to stepping in behind the scenes on Grease—without ever getting official credit—Joel shares jaw-dropping stories that prove how much really happens off camera.

The heart of the episode belongs to Grease. Joel reveals how the film nearly fell apart, how John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John bonded on set, why casting “older” actors was exactly the right choice, and how a last-minute carnival saved the movie’s legendary finale. He also spills the real stories behind casting Stockard Channing, Sha Na Na, and the brilliant decision to lean into the film’s fairy-tale tone rather than realism. It’s a masterclass in trusting instincts—and knowing when to fight for them.

Joel also dives into the genius casting of Airplane!, explaining how ignoring studio demands for comedians and instead casting serious dramatic actors made the movie a comedy classic. From Lloyd Bridges and Robert Stack to Barbara Billingsley’s unforgettable jive-talking cameo, Joel shares how bold casting choices changed film comedy forever—and how close the movie came to being something very different.

The episode wraps with Joel’s powerful years at NBC, where he helped shape shows like Cheers, The Golden Girls, The Facts of Life, and The Love Boat. He tells behind-the-scenes stories about casting battles, network politics, missed opportunities, and why he still has zero filter well into his 80s—think Sophia Petrillo with a casting résumé. Funny, candid, and packed with insider revelations, this is an episode every classic TV and movie fan needs to hear. 

JOEL THURM 
Joel Thurm is a legendary & highly influential Hollywood casting director whose instincts, wit, and fearless advocacy for actors have helped shape decades of TV and film history. Born on one of the last remaining dairy farms in Brooklyn, NY, he grew up surrounded by cows, Broadway cast albums, and a love of movies. A graduate of Hunter College, he briefly worked as a substitute teacher before realizing his creative instincts were better suited for the entertainment world.

His path into show business began in theater, including formative work with legendary Broadway producer David Merrick, where he learned the business from the ground up. He soon transitioned into casting and made his mark in Hollywood with an extraordinary run of film credits, including Grease, Airplane!, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Early on, he recognized that John Travolta was far more than a teen idol, casting him in The Boy in the Plastic Bubble and helping launch one of the most iconic careers in film history.

From 1980 to 1990, he served as Senior Vice President of Talent and Casting for NBC and Paramount Television. He played a pivotal role in discovering and guiding River & Joaquin Phoenix as children and helping set them on their paths to stardom. Overseeing casting for groundbreaking series like Cheers, Taxi, The Golden Girls, Hill Street Blues, and many more, he became known for casting against type, championing authenticity, and respecting actors’ craft—later chronicling his remarkable journey in his candid memoir, Sex, Drugs & Pilot Season: Confessions of a Casting Director.

Joel Thurm Website - ⁠https://www.joelthurm.com⁠ 

To Purchase Joel’s Book on Amazon - ⁠https://tinyurl.com/453capve⁠

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