Bob Barry's Unearthed Interviews

For fight fans and lovers of greatness we have the man who floated like a butterfly, stung like a bee and shook up the world, Muhammad Ali. In his career he won 56 fights and only lost five. On Oct. 29, 1960, he made his fight debut, the same year he threw his Olympic medal into the Ohio River after being refused service at a restaurant. On this day we caught up with the champ while he was in the hospital. At the time he said he would fight again, and he did, losing to Larry Holmes in an 11 round TKO and in 10 rounds to Trevor Berbick in 1981. The Holmes fight, they said, contributed to his Parkinson's syndrome. But as you will hear, he always kept his dignity. The photo is from another interview at the Coach House Inn in Milwaukee.

You probably don’t recognize her name but you might remember her as the spunky scene-stealing Tina Molinari from the TV show “Rhoda” or from “Taxi” or “Young Doctors in Love.” Nancy lane has worked alongside some of the biggest names in television, bringing humor and heart to every role she’s played. At the time she was starring with Jim Carrey in a comedy called “The Duck Factory.” If you’d like to see Nancy and the funny cast of this show, you can watch it on YouTube.

Welcome to today’s podcast. Our guest is a master of the well-timed….pause, the raised eyebrow, and the story that sneaks up on you with a punchline you didn’t see coming. He’s a man who could tell a joke so good you’d swear you’d heard it in your own family, but somehow, it’s funnier when he tells it. From the Catskills to the “Ed Sullivan Show,” he entertained America with wit, warmth and a knack for finding humor in everyday life. He’s the legendary storyteller and comedian, Myron Cohen.

Today’s guest is someone who’s been at the center of baseball for decades, not just a fan of the game, but as someone who helped shape the way we know it today. We’re talking about the former Commissioner of Baseball, Bud Selig. He led the league for more than 20 years, through some of the biggest changes and challenges the sport has ever seen. Things like the wild card and expanded playoffs, interleague play, and landmark achievements like record-breaking attendance. Love him, or debate him, there’s no question his time in charge left a lasting mark on the game. But beyond the headlines and history, Bud is, at his core, just a lifelong baseball guy, someone who grew up loving the sport and never let go of it. Today we’ll hear some stories and talk about baseball from the man who lived it at every level.

On today’s podcast we’re joined by someone who really needs no introduction, Ron Howard. You know him from the “Andy Griffith Show,” “Happy Days,” and of course his incredible directing career with films like “Apollo 13” and “A Beautiful Mind.” But today, we’re talking about a project that’s especially meaningful during disability awareness month, his 1980 film “Skyward,” which can be watched on YouTube. It’s the story of a young woman in a wheelchair who refuses to let her disability stop her from pursuing her dream of flying. The film is uplifting, inspiring, and still resonates today. Ron tells about a co-worker who helped him make the film and some of his thoughts on the movie industry.

Today we go behind the movie “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” We’ll talk with Lula Parker Betenson, sister of the legendary outlaw Butch Cassidy. Now, before you picture tumbleweeds and shootouts, let me tell you, Lula has her own incredible stories to share, from growing up around one of the most famous names in the wild west to befriending Robert Redford. She’ll also reveal some fascinating family history that’s shaped her life. We’re going to dive into those stories, hear some surprises, and maybe even bust a few myths along the way.

Grab your coconut radios and set sail for a nostalgia-packed adventure. Today we have a legend of the small screen, the woman who made the girl next door an island icon…Dawn Wells. We’re talking about “Gilligan’s Island,” and her character Mary Ann. We’ll dive into her incredible career and her love for theater. So, kick off your shoes, pour yourself a drink with the umbrella in it, and let’s get shipwrecked in the best way possible.

Thanks for listening to Bob Barry’s Unearthed Interviews. Today we step back into the golden age of Hollywood with a true screen legend. He was the epitome of charm, the king of the silver screen, and the man who made romance look effortless. We’re talking about the one and only Rock Hudson. We’ll go behind the scenes for the love and laugh-out-loud moments and hear about his latest film, which was, believe it or not, R rated. He’s given us the skinny on the skin flick. So let’s roll back the reel with one of Hollywood’s most unforgettable stars, Rock Hudson.

Today we have an absolute legend joining us on the podcast. She was a trailblazer, sports broadcaster, former Miss America and businesswoman extraordinaire. Phyllis George made history as one of the first women in sports broadcasting, became the First Lady of Kentucky through her marriage to Governor John Brown. And if that weren’t impressive enough, she’s also the proud mother of businesswoman and CNN anchor Pamela Brown. When we interviewed her she had just become Miss America. She talks about that experience and promises to come to WOKY in person, which she did a short time later.

Welcome to another episode of Bob Barry’s Unearthed Interviews. Thanks for joining us. Today we have a truly special guest joining us. You know her as the iconic Valene Ewing from the classic series “Knots Landing.” She was a beloved face in film and television for decades. She’s not just a talented actress, but also a vibrant spirit with a wealth of very different experiences to share. We’ll uncover the stories behind the scenes and the laughter that kept her going. Wait until you hear how she got into showbiz!

On today’s podcast we go inside the dome, literally, with the man who made R2D2 beep, boop, and sass his way into cinematic history. We’re talking about Kenny Baker - actor, icon and the only guy in Hollywood who could say “I am the droid you’re lookin’ for,” and actually mean it. He survived the deserts of Tunisia, arguments with C-3PO and probably more sand than Anakin Skywalker could emotionally handle. Forget the force, this man endured being locked inside a metal garbage can in 100-degree weather for our entertainment. That’s dedication. This is Kenny Baker, the man, the droid, the legend.

Today’s podcast features an incredibly talented and always delightful Catherine Hicks. You might remember her as the loving Annie Camden from “7th Heaven,” the brilliant Dr. Gillian Taylor who taught Captain Kirk a thing or two about whales in “Star Trek IV” and of course, the woman who had the unfortunate luck of buying a doll possessed by a serial killer in “Child’s Play.” But then, we’ve all made questionable shopping choices, right? But, did you also know she starred alongside Bill Murray in “Stripes?” She held her own against one of comedy’s greatest. She’ll comment on that experience.

Today is National Gossip Day. Everybody likes gossip. And there are people who make their living reporting on the juiciest tales from Hollywood. Marilyn Beck was the queen of Tinseltown Tidbits and the insider who had seen it all. She knew things she couldn’t print. Our conversation pulled back the velvet rope with star studded stories, behind the scenes gossip and maybe a few Hollywood secrets you’ve never heard before. We’ll take a rollicking ride through the glitz, glam, and giggles of showbiz. And, all of this happened before social media made it easy to get the scoop.

Our guest today is a founding member and the original bass guitarist of one of the most beloved bands of that era. The group that gave us; “I’m Into Something Good,” “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter,” and “Henry the Eighth.” Herman’s Hermits from Manchester, England. Karl Green was there when Herman’s Hermits became international stars, charming the world with cheeky humor, unforgettable hooks, and go old-fashioned showmanship. Karl makes reference to his recent appearance at “Let it Be” in Waukesha.

If you grew up watching “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis,” you will remember the man who has been a part of some amazing moments in entertainment. Dwayne Hickman played the charming and relatable Dobie Gillis, one of the most iconic teen characters of that time. On this podcast we’ll talk about his early days as a child actor, his adventures in showbiz and the latest project he had going, which co-starred Michael J. Fox of “Family Ties,” Todd Bridges from “Different Strokes” and Nancy McKeon of “Facts of Life.” The movie was called “High School, USA,” which can be seen today on Tubi-TV.

Today’s podcast features a man who dared to dream beyond the horizon and then made it real. John Glenn was a true pioneer, a man who defied the limits of Earth and rewrote the story of human possibility. Marine, test pilot, astronaut, senator, and legend. He was the first American to orbit the earth and the first to remind us that courage isn’t a moment, it’s a way of living.

In your lifetime, you have probably seen at least one “Rocky” movie. Today we go back to a light-hearted conversation with the actor who played Paulie in the Rocky series. Burt Young has always brought an irresistible blend of grit, humor, and heart to every performance. In this episode, we’ll be chatting about his journey through Tinseltown, sharing quirky behind-the-scenes tales and laughing through the lighter side of life. It’s Hollywood, with a wink and a nod. So, grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and join us for a short, candid conversation with Burt Young.

“I’m in the Jailhouse Now” was the biggest hit for one of the most iconic honky-tonk singers of all time, Webb Pierce. This man wore more rhinestones than Liberace’s coffee table and had a voice smoother than Tennessee whiskey. Webb didn’t just play country music, he lived it. Music expert Joel Whitburn joins me in this interview. So, pour yourself a glass and get ready for a ride through the golden age of country with the man who brought the twang to town.

Do you remember “Tammy,” and “Aba Daba Honeymoon? How about “Tammy and the Bachelor” and “The Unsinkable Molly Brown?” I think all of us remember the movie “Singing in the Rain.” Today’s podcast goes back to a woman who danced toe-to-toe with Gene Kelly, stole scenes with her wit and could probably out-sing out-joke and out-charm all of us combined. Debbie Reynolds has some gossip from the time and will give advice on how to stay fabulous 24/7. And I loved the sexy way she answered the phone.

Imagine being the person who asks, “What the hell happened to Blood, Sweat and Tears?” Beside that documentary, John Scheinfeld, who is from Milwaukee, masterminded films like “The U.S. Vs. John Lennon,” “Reinventing Elvis: The ’68 Comeback” and “Who is Harry Nilsson and Why is Everybody Talking About Him?” John is an Emmy and Grammy-nominated filmmaker. I was working at WISN at the time and John wrote the catchy slogan: “Radio 11, WISN, of course.” You might have one of those bumper stickers, which I see selling on Ebay for $10.95. John surprised me at the end of the interview with a personal memory.