The nation's national treasure, the beloved Betty White died at the age of 99, just a few days shy of her 100th birthday. 
I explain why Betty White's love of games helped make her into the queen of games and got her a husband. Left a bit unsaid is that this constant exposure on TV shows as a panelist and games kept her in the public's mind for building up a persona. 
This episode was originally made as a YouTube video. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg645E156tc


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Betty White Forever Queen of Game Shows RIP

Actor and director Mel Brooks was born Melvin Kaminsky on June 28, 1926. And on his birthday, I sat down with another director, Zach Eastman to talk about Brooks' career. 
Mel wrote such movie classics as Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, Spaceballs, and The Producers. 
We also went over some of Zach's projects like The Boy Who Stares and Twombley. Eastman says he prefers to direct drama because it comes easier, but he appreciates Mel's work. As do I, that is why we talked for hours. 

Zach’s latest project: https://thinkshorts.com/17365/leather-brown

The Boy Who Stares : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtqeTWuooQs&t=24s
Appearance on Zach's show talking about The Shop Around the Corner https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-19-the-shop-around-the-corner-or-the-legend-of-pepi/id1540142449?i=1000517315513

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Zach Eastman talks about Mel Brooks

Dean Martin was born on June 7th, 1917 in Steubenville, OH. That is why the town pays tribute to their famous son in June. This year the festival is taking place June 24-26th.  
Rose Angelica helped to start the festival and managed it for several years. Rose also is an indie artist with some popular songs of her own and tributes to icons like Dean Martin. 
She has acted as a researcher for the family, TV networks, and an attempt at doing a Dean Martin movie.

Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqH5ATLS8bLsFgp1JmF1GIw
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The All of the Classics YouTube podcast explains timeless events, legends, and celebrities of vintage Hollywood. This podcast aims to extend the legacy of these icons by reaching a new generation of fans.  This channel creates content for unique people looking at Old Hollywood, old-school TV, old-time radio, classic books, and more.

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Dean Martin and Rose Angelica's History Promoting an Icon

Jack Benny influenced several comedians and transitively influenced most famous comedians still today.
Here on All of the Classics, we take a look at the audio version of my presentation on how Jack Benny changed modern comedy. If you don't know who Jack Benny is and you are a comedian, I suggest at least checking him out. He may not make you laugh, but his comic devices are superb. 
 Johnny Carson idolized Jack Benny. Carson in turn, inspired hundreds of young comics, but notably David Letterman who inspired Conan O'Brien. 
We explore the comic origins of some of the top influential comedians of all time.
But I will say that I gave an exception for black and women performers---they are less likely to trace their inspiration back to Benny. 

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Jack Benny: The Father of Modern Comedy

This is a true story and something that really happened in history. You can google it. The year was 1939 and Franklin Delano Roosevelt decided due to the economy and the Great Depression, he would move Thanksgiving to allow for more shopping time.
From 1939-1941 there was confusion about when to celebrate Thanksgiving, with some celebrating traditional Thanksgiving. So some places had 2  days of thanks.
This podcast explains how Thanksgiving got to be on the week it is every month. And gives a little history lesson into "Franksgiving" as it was deemed. Of course, this unique and odd situation was fodder for comedians everywhere. Including radio comedians and even feature films making reference to the chaos. 

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The Year Thanksgiving Moved

Peter Gabel grew up with not one but two notable celebrity parents. Arlene Francis and Martin Gabel. Both were actors on radio, Broadway,  TV, and television. Today we focus on his beautiful and wonderfully talented mother, Arlene Francis. She is probably most well known now for appearing as a panelist on "What's My Line". She was one of the top paid female panelists, was the first woman host of "The Tonight Show"--before Joan Rivers, in the time in between Jack Paar and Johnny Carson. 
Peter discusses his mother and his guest appearances on "What's My Line", where he stumped his mother every time.
Peter is not in showbusiness-- he is a notable academic in American law, writer and editor. 

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That Certain Something: Arlene Francis, an Interview with her son Peter Gabel

Chris Korman is the son of lovable straight man, Harvey Korman. Harvey Korman is best known for being on the Carol Burnett Show as well as frequently starring in Mel Brooks' movies. However, there is more to Korman than being a comedian, Chris gives some insight into his role as a father. 

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Chris Korman talks about Harvey Korman

Herbert Hoover may get blamed for the depression, but just like any historical figure or event, there is more than meets the eye. I talked with archivist Matt Schaefer about Hoover's life and presidency. I also talk with Lynn Smith and Andrea Lewis, talking about perhaps some of the rarest film footage in history, perhaps the first color videos of all time--and of the White House. We also talked about gowns of first lady Lou Hoover and artifacts from all the U.S. presidents. 
Honestly, quite a lot of fun if you love history. 

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Herbert Hoover part 2

President Herbert Hoover is known as the President who kept Americans in the Great Depression. But he was once a world wonder, a businessman turned philanthropist that helped people all over the world be fed and able to get home when war broke out. He was nominated for 5 Nobel Peace prizes. So why did the man who had all success in business and politics prior to the Presidency, fail in the eyes of the American people as President so miserably? Matt Schaefer at the Herbert Hoover Museum helps explain Hoover's years after earning his fortune. 
Also, we talk about how he is associated with Laura Ingalls Wilder of the Little House books, and why letters between Laura and her daughter live at the museum. 

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Herbert Hoover the Hero? Part 1

Chris Walker-Thomson is an actor and voice actor in the U.K. His most notable impression being the 2nd doctor, Patrick Troughton. He has done audiobooks and an audio drama for Big Finish. He talked to me about Doctor Who, voices, and what he wants to be as an actor. He's also been featured on BBC's Youtube Doctor Who fan show.  Catch his podcast of voice impressions with his pals, We Sound Familiar

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Chris Walker-Thomson: 2nd Doctor

I interviewed John Henderson, the man behind the "This Day in Jack Benny" podcast. We of course discuss Benny. However we also touch on old radio in general, journalism, and sci-fi such as Star Trek and Doctor Who. Now buckle up and get ready to ask yourself the age old question; when do I introduce my kid to this stuff?

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This Day in-April Fools

Lucas Ross is a morning anchor at KFOR in Oklahoma City. But he's also the biggest Steve Martin fan to anyone that knows him. His love of Kermit and Martin have also made Lucas into a banjo loving advocate. From working on That 70s Show, meeting Martin,  working with Kermit , the son of a beekeeper tells me how his fan appreciation started, and where it's taken him. Also did you know Conan's obsessed with popcorn? 

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Lucas Ross: Steve Martin 's biggest fan

Anne Reburn is a YouTuber with several unique cover songs. She harmonizes with herself in unique and amazing videos. Reburn talks about some of her musical inspirations from John Denver, 80s music, disco and more. Listen to her music and some brand new original songs. 

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Musical Inspirations: Anne Reburn

In the election of 1940 against President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a woman ran for President. 
Gracie Allen , a radio comedian known for being a ditz ran as a publicity stunt meant to be a short bit.
It turned out into quite the event. 

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Gracie Allen for President

We discuss the origin story of the Jack Benny Fan Club, and how Laura talked with the cast such as Dennis Day and Phil Harris, as well as writer George Balzer. We also touch on how many fans seem to be Doctor Who fans, Les Moonves, and the old studio system. With some references to Leonardo DiCaprio and the rat pack thrown in this free wheeling conversation. 

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President of the Jack Benny Fan Club Laura Leibowitz

Carolyn Scott Reybold was a famous model and best friends with actress and Princess Grace Kelly. But Carolyn lived her final years homeless. Her daughter Nyna Giles, explores how her mom came to refuse help for mental illness. This true story of a girl from Steubenville's rags to riches to rags again, has it all.

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The Bridesmaid's Daughter: Nyna Giles

Kathy Fuller Seeley is a history professor that has written about "Jack Benny and the Golden Age of Radio Comedy". We talk about how podcasting and YouTubers are not unlike early radio stars. Oh-and of course about Jack Benny.

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Kathy Fuller Seeley talks about Jack Benny

My first guest is Mark Malkoff, a comedian that hosts the Carson podcast. In that he talks all about Johnny Carson and the Tonight Show. He talks about the podcast, his videos, and how it never hurts to ask with some polite persistence. 

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Mark Malkoff

Oh hey, look, it's the first episode of this podcast where I explain why a 24 year old has been into classic Hollywood all of her life, and what this podcast will kind of look like. 

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