Classic Conversations: Pop culture Interviews with Jeff Dwoskin

From The Mickey Mouse Club to Motown Live, from Happy Days reunions to Hocus Pocus celebrations, Michael Levitt's fingerprints are on some of television's most iconic moments.
In this heartwarming conversation, the acclaimed TV producer looks back on decades of stories that shaped pop culture and the people who brought it to life.
Michael opens up about his journey from a TV-obsessed kid sneaking onto Hollywood sets to a producer trusted by legends like Britney Spears, Henry Winkler, and Ken Ehrlich. With laughter, honesty, and heart, he shares the lessons learned from producing emotional memorials, joyful reunions, and the rare magic that happens when nostalgia meets live television.
Each story feels like opening a scrapbook of television history — moments that defined an era, told by the man who helped make them happen.
Show Highlights:
Early Inspiration: How a teen's love of television turned into a producing dream come true.
Pop Royalty Moments: The behind-the-scenes story of Britney Spears' first-ever TV special in Hawaii.
Legacy of Legends: Producing Michael Jackson's memorial and honoring icons who shaped generations.
The Reunions We Love: What it took to bring the casts of Happy Days, Dallas, and Dynasty back together.
Hocus Pocus & Hollywood Forever: The story behind one of TV's most creatively unexpected productions.
You're going to love my conversation with Michael Levitt

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Website
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Follow Jeff Dwoskin (host):

Jeff Dwoskin on Twitter
The Jeff Dwoskin Show podcast on Twitter
Podcast website
Podcast on Instagram
Subscribe to my Youtube channel
Yes, the show used to be called Live from Detroit: The Jeff Dwoskin Show
Ways to support the show:
Buy me a coffee (support the show)
Dashery/TeePublic Store: Classic Conversations merch and more!
Love the books I talk about on the show? Here is my Amazon store to shop.
SPONSOR: STAMPEDE SOCIAL Drive engagement from your social channels and podcast with Stampede Social's Instagram and Facebook DM automation!
Visit https://stampede.social Also check out: Why Instagram + Stampede Social Is the Growth Strategy Podcasters Need in 2025 (and Beyond)

Thanks for checking out Classic Conversations! Dive into pop culture nostalgia with comedian Jeff Dwoskin as he hosts the best TV and film interviews. Hear inspiring stories from actors, comedians, musicians, and pop culture icons about the road to success. Part comedy, part drama—always entertaining.

From child actor to one of television's most prolific directors, Rich Correll's career reads like a guided tour through Hollywood history.
Growing up surrounded by legends like Walt Disney, Judy Garland, and Alan Ladd, he transitioned from acting on Leave It to Beaver to directing sitcom staples like Happy Days, Full House, and Step by Step. With warmth and humor, Rich shares the rare, behind-the-scenes stories that shaped his decades in entertainment — from being one of the first to set foot in Disneyland to collaborating with icons across generations of film and television.
Show Highlights:
Hollywood Childhood: Growing up in a neighborhood filled with movie stars — from Judy Garland to Walt Disney.
From Beaver to Behind the Camera: How Rich transitioned from child actor to acclaimed TV director and producer.
Happy Days & Beyond: Stories from working with Garry Marshall's team on some of America's most beloved sitcoms.
Legendary Collaborations: Recalling moments with classic stars like Stan Laurel, Tom Hanks, and Leslie Nielsen.
The Legacy of Craft: Insights into what keeps Rich passionate about storytelling after nearly seven decades in Hollywood.
You're going to love my conversation with Rich Correll

IMDB
Website
Instagram
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Follow Jeff Dwoskin (host):

Jeff Dwoskin on Twitter
The Jeff Dwoskin Show podcast on Twitter
Podcast website
Podcast on Instagram
Subscribe to my Youtube channel
Yes, the show used to be called Live from Detroit: The Jeff Dwoskin Show
Ways to support the show:
Buy me a coffee (support the show)
Dashery/TeePublic Store: Classic Conversations merch and more!
Love the books I talk about on the show? Here is my Amazon store to shop.
SPONSOR: STAMPEDE SOCIAL Drive engagement from your social channels and podcast with Stampede Social's Instagram and Facebook DM automation! Visit https://stampede.social Also check out: Why Instagram + Stampede Social Is the Growth Strategy Podcasters Need in 2025 (and Beyond)

Thanks for checking out Classic Conversations! Dive into pop culture nostalgia with comedian Jeff Dwoskin as he hosts the best TV and film interviews. Hear inspiring stories from actors, comedians, musicians, and pop culture icons about the road to success. Part comedy, part drama—always entertaining.

If you've ever wondered how comedy evolved from Civil War lecture halls to cocaine-fueled comedy clubs, Ritch Shydner has the stories and the scars to prove it.
The veteran comic, author, and self-proclaimed comedy historian returns to deliver a hilarious masterclass on stand-up's messy, magical past. From his nights sharing stages (and substances) with legends like Sam Kinison to the moment Robin Williams "borrowed" one of his jokes, Ritch paints a picture of the art form's wild evolution. He also drops mind-blowing facts about the origins of stand-up, like how a guy named Artemus Ward made Abraham Lincoln laugh through the Civil War, while weaving in his own road-warrior adventures from the 1980s boom. It's a funny, fast, and surprisingly educational trip through laughter itself.
Show Highlights:
Ritch reveals how Robin Williams once did one of his jokes on SNL — and tried to pay him for it.
The 1980s comedy scene: when cocaine, chaos, and creativity all shared the same dressing room.
How a 19th-century comic helped Abraham Lincoln survive the stress of war — with punchlines.
Sam Kinison's early days: from college bombings to HBO breakout fame (and a drug deal or two).
The secret link between vaudeville, radio, and today's stand-up podcasts.
What Lenny Bruce, George Carlin, and today's comics all have in common, total fearlessness.
The moment Ritch had to perform right after John Lennon's death — and how one comic ruined it.
You're going to love my conversation with Ritch Shydner

IMDB
Website
Facebook
TikTok
Instagram
Follow Jeff Dwoskin (host):

Jeff Dwoskin on Twitter
The Jeff Dwoskin Show podcast on Twitter
Podcast website
Podcast on Instagram
Subscribe to my Youtube channel
Yes, the show used to be called Live from Detroit: The Jeff Dwoskin Show
Ways to support the show:
Buy me a coffee (support the show)
Dashery/TeePublic Store: Classic Conversations merch and more!
Love the books I talk about on the show? Here is my Amazon store to shop.
SPONSOR: STAMPEDE SOCIAL Drive engagement from your social channels and podcast with Stampede Social's Instagram and Facebook DM automation! Visit https://stampede.social Also check out: Why Instagram + Stampede Social Is the Growth Strategy Podcasters Need in 2025 (and Beyond)

 
Thanks for checking out Classic Conversations! Dive into pop culture nostalgia with comedian Jeff Dwoskin as he hosts the best TV and film interviews. Hear inspiring stories from actors, comedians, musicians, and pop culture icons about the road to success. Part comedy, part drama—always entertaining.

Step back into television's golden era with actor and storyteller Darby Hinton, beloved for his role as Israel Boone on the classic series Daniel Boone.
From his early days growing up on Hollywood sets surrounded by legends like Charlton Heston and Jane Russell, to tales of life on set with Fess Parker and behind-the-scenes secrets of 1960s television, Darby opens the door to a time when family entertainment ruled the airwaves. He shares heartfelt memories of his iconic career, the magic of working as a child actor, and the enduring charm of a show that defined an era. With warmth and humor, Darby reflects on fame, family, and finding joy in storytelling through the decades.
Show Highlights:
Growing Up Hollywood – Darby shares what it was like to be surrounded by Hollywood royalty, from his godfather Charlton Heston to his early acting roles before Daniel Boone.
Becoming Israel Boone – The incredible story of how a casting mix-up led to Darby landing one of TV's most beloved roles.
Life on Set – From horse stunts to lunch at 20th Century Fox, Darby recalls the excitement and innocence of growing up on a hit television show.
Preserving the Memories – His touching reflections on his mother's passion for photography that inspired his book, Growing Up Israel.
A Legacy of Kindness – Darby's continued advocacy for child actors and his deep appreciation for the community that shaped his life.
You're going to love my conversation with Darby Hinton

IMDB
Growing up Israel (Darby's book)
Darby's webpage
Darby's Darlings & Dudes
Instagram
Follow Jeff Dwoskin (host):

Jeff Dwoskin on Twitter
The Jeff Dwoskin Show podcast on Twitter
Podcast website
Podcast on Instagram
Subscribe to my Youtube channel
Yes, the show used to be called Live from Detroit: The Jeff Dwoskin Show
Ways to support the show:
Buy me a coffee (support the show)
Dashery/TeePublic Store: Classic Conversations merch and more!
Love the books I talk about on the show? Here is my Amazon store to shop.
SPONSOR: STAMPEDE SOCIAL Drive engagement from your social channels and podcast with Stampede Social's Instagram and Facebook DM automation!
Visit https://stampede.social Also check out: Why Instagram + Stampede Social Is the Growth Strategy Podcasters Need in 2025 (and Beyond)

Thanks for checking out Classic Conversations! Dive into pop culture nostalgia with comedian Jeff Dwoskin as he hosts the best TV and film interviews. Hear inspiring stories from actors, comedians, musicians, and pop culture icons about the road to success. Part comedy, part drama—always entertaining.

Emmy Award-winning actress Lindsay Wagner reflects on her extraordinary journey through television history and celebrates the 50th anniversary of The Bionic Woman.
From her early modeling days and unexpected path into acting to her portrayal of Jamie Sommers, a character that inspired generations with both strength and compassion, Lindsay shares stories that reveal her wisdom, humor, and enduring connection to fans. Through nostalgia, laughter, and genuine reflection, this episode revisits the cultural phenomenon that shaped a generation and the woman who helped redefine what it meant to be a hero.
Show Highlights:
Lindsay recalls her early years in modeling and how an acting class changed her life.
The creation of The Bionic Woman and her collaboration with Kenneth Johnson brought emotional depth to Jamie Sommers.
Behind-the-scenes memories from the set, from Bigfoot encounters to the famous "bionic sound."
The power of storytelling in shaping self-image and the lasting emotional bond fans still feel today.
Reflections on the 50th anniversary, the new Bionic50.com project, and the importance of preserving Jamie's legacy.
You're going to love my conversation with Lindsay Wagner

Bionic 50 website
Lindsay's website
IMDB
Instagram
Follow Jeff Dwoskin (host):

Jeff Dwoskin on Twitter
The Jeff Dwoskin Show podcast on Twitter
Podcast website
Podcast on Instagram
Subscribe to my Youtube channel
Yes, the show used to be called Live from Detroit: The Jeff Dwoskin Show
Ways to support the show:
Buy me a coffee (support the show)
Dashery/TeePublic Store: Classic Conversations merch and more!
Love the books I talk about on the show? Here is my Amazon store to shop.
SPONSOR: STAMPEDE SOCIAL Drive engagement from your social channels and podcast with Stampede Social's Instagram and Facebook DM automation!
Visit https://stampede.social Also check out: Why Instagram + Stampede Social Is the Growth Strategy Podcasters Need in 2025 (and Beyond)

Thanks for checking out Classic Conversations! Dive into pop culture nostalgia with comedian Jeff Dwoskin as he hosts the best TV and film interviews. Hear inspiring stories from actors, comedians, musicians, and pop culture icons about the road to success. Part comedy, part drama—always entertaining.