When you picture a TV dad, who comes to mind first? The wise advice-giver who somehow always knows the right thing to say? The stern disciplinarian who grounds you one minute and sneaks you ice cream the next? The lovable goofball who falls asleep i…
Family-centered TV series have been part of television since its earliest days—think “The Goldbergs” in 1949 or “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” in the 1950s. So when ABC premiered “The Wonder Years” in…
Picture it: Rydell High, late 1950s. The jukebox is spinning, the soda shop is hopping, and strutting through the halls in matching satin jackets is the coolest girl gang on campus — The Pink Ladies. With their bubblegum-pink coats, tough-girl…
The first time I saw "Grease" on the big screen, I was instantly hooked—on the story, the music, the dancing, the hair… and yes, the Pink Ladies. Sure, Danny and Sandy had my heart, but there was one character who completely stole the s…
Once upon a time in Hollywood, being openly gay was considered a career killer. For decades, major stars like Rock Hudson, Montgomery Clift, Tab Hunter, and Sal Mineo stayed in the closet—forced to protect their image with carefully crafted st…
During the pandemic, I stumbled across the original “Tales of the City” miniseries—and I was instantly hooked. Armistead Maupin’s colorful world of 1970s San Francisco pulled me in, and I fell in love with the characters: Mar…
Hey friends! Summer’s heating up—and so is Hollywood Obsessed Podcast! I hope you’re soaking in the sunshine, binging some classic flicks, and indulging in a little nostalgic magic, because trust me—the real show is just begi…
Back in 1990, HBO took its first big swing at original programming and gave us one of its earliest TV series: “Dream On”—an adult sitcom about a divorced New York City book editor juggling his family life, career, and ahem very act…
If you were around in the 1980s, you know the decade belonged to the fabulous women who ruled our TV screens—and our imaginations. Bold, beautiful, and brimming with attitude, these iconic ladies turned prime-time drama into high art. With sky…
When I was a kid growing up in New York, one of my absolute favorite TV traditions was watching The 4:30 Movie on WABC Channel 7. And let me tell you—when it was “Planet of the Apes” week? Forget it! I was glued to the screen, tota…
Long before any Real Housewife flipped a table in Jersey, screamed in Beverly Hills, or held a fruit in Atlanta, there were the original queens of primetime: the ladies of “Knots Landing.” Honey, they didn’t need confessionals, tag…
In the 1980s and 1990s, TV audiences were absolutely hooked on their primetime soap operas—and I was no exception. At one point, I was glued to "Dallas," "Dynasty," "The Colbys," "Falcon Crest," and, of course, my favorite: "Knots Landing" all…
As a kid, I was completely obsessed with TV cop shows. Whether it was “Dragnet,” “Hawaii Five-O,” “CHiPs,” or “Barney Miller,” I logged countless hours glued to the boob tube watching the “good g…
Every time I’m driving down the 101 or the 5 freeway heading into downtown Los Angeles, I can’t help but picture Larry Wilcox and Erik Estrada—better known as California Highway Patrol officers Jon Baker and Frank “Ponch&rdqu…
When I was growing up—before the days of streaming and on-demand everything—the annual television broadcast of “The Wizard of Oz” during Easter was an event. From ages five to twelve, that night was sacred. Judy Garland&rsquo…
Who could forget Michelle Pfeiffer straddling a ladder and belting out that unforgettable anthem: “I want a cool rider, a cool, cool, cool, cool rider… I want a C-O-O-L R-I-D-E-R!”As a diehard fan of the original “Grease&r…
Believe it or not, some of your favorite Hollywood hunks actually started out striking poses before delivering lines. If you grew up in the 1980s, you probably noticed a new wave of dreamy dudes popping up on billboards, in GQ spreads, and eventuall…
Get Ready to Swoon: It’s the Ultimate Jack Scalia Trivia Challenge!During the glitzy, over-the-top era of the 1980s and ’90s, few stars lit up the screen quite like Jack Scalia. With his chiseled looks, magnetic charm, and undeniable t…
Lately, I find myself sitting in a dark movie theater, whispering, “Wait — I didn’t know they were in this!” It’s a thrilling surprise that’s becoming more common, and it got me thinking: where have some of our fa…
I’ve been obsessed with sitcoms since I was in diapers—seriously, name one and I’ve probably watched it (more than once). But few made an impression on me quite like the first few episodes of “3rd Rock from the Sun.” Cr…
One of the most thrilling things about living in Los Angeles is you never know who you’re going to bump into—and it can happen literally anywhere.For example, I was heading down to the mailroom in my building when I spotted a striking …
In honor of my latest Hollywood Obsessed podcast interview with the incredible Katherine Haber—producer of the sci-fi classic “Blade Runner” and longtime collaborator of the legendary Sam Peckinpah—I'm thrilled to celebrate t…
An Unexpected Reunion, a Stunning Art Exhibit, and the Magic of SerendipityAs you can imagine, I have a pretty eclectic group of friends—some of whom you’d never expect to be connected. Case in point: Shortly after my “Hollywood …
When I first considered inviting actor, artist, and author Leigh McCloskey to be a guest on HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED, it was because I was a MASSIVE fan of the iconic 1980s primetime soap opera “Dallas”. I absolutely loved his portrayal of Mit…