A Listening List 2

Okay, right from the start I have to let you in on something that makes me happier than I have been for more than a month. 

This past Thursday was the day I was cleared to transition into my "full weight bearing" stage of my broken foot recovery. 

No scooter, no walker, just a cane to help me get around in my walking boot.

Of course, I have to ease back into "normal" activity so I am still using my scooter around the house at times. However, I am very glad to be getting back to doing the things I wasn't able to do with the cast. 

I just wanted to share that bit of good news with you so that as you read this entry you can picture a guy who looks exactly like me smiling as he bangs away on the keyboard. 

Now to get to the subject of this 2nd post in my current series: A Listening List. 

First up, podcasts connected to TV. I've subscribed to a couple of these rather recently but I really enjoy them. 

The Way I Heard It:  What connects this podcast to television is the host and writer, Mike Rowe. 

You know him mostly from the TV show, "Dirty Jobs". He has had other shows and done voiceovers for even more. His "average guy" personality and baritone voice makes it a pleasure to listen to his podcast.  

Rowe describes this program as "the podcast for those with a curious mind and a short attention span." He writes and delivers each story, himself. 

The compelling element in every episode is that the stories are both detailed and cryptic at the same time. 
They get you thinking one way only to make a "right turn" or introduce a
"twist" to reveal a "surprise" ending the listener never expected. 

It is very reminiscent of the "Rest of the Story" a feature that radio broadcast journalist Paul Harvey presented for on the radio for more than 50 years.  

What keeps me interested in the program is the challenge of trying to figure out ahead of time what the ending is going to be. Sometimes I'm right. Sometimes I don't see it coming. But I'm always entertained. Check out "The Way I Heard It". I think you'll enjoy it. 

Mobituaries: This weekly podcast is hosted by Mo Rocca, correspondent for the CBS news program, Sunday Morning. 
It's focus is on learning more about people who have died, or places, and things that are no longer around. The general public knows little about them or, for the most part, they are forgotten. 
Rocca, has covered a variety of subjects over the course of the first two seasons with episodes that focus on pop culture, show business, and history. Those are very broad descriptions but the episodes get very specific. 
Mo is a very likable host and his natural curiosity is the steam that drives this podcast engine. If you often ask yourself the questions: "Whatever happened to.. or "I wish I knew more about..." this is the podcast for you. 

The Johnny Carson Show: "And Now, heeeeeeeeeer's Johnny!" If that iconic catch phrase takes you back to the days when you stayed up after the 11 o'clock news just to watch NBC's late night programming, you are in luck. There is now a podcast that brings back one of TV's greatest shows.  

The program debuted just this past December. As of this post it is only 7 episodes into its run. Its a tribute, Johnny Carson, the king of late night television for more than 3 decades and his kingdom, The Tonight Show. 

So far the guests on these podcasts have included: Robin Williams, Joan Rivers, Rodney Dangerfield among others. 

Also included are the features and routines that were the true treasures of the Tonight Show. I'm referring to Johnny's opening monologue, Carnak the Magnificent, and The Mighty Carson Art Players. 

Host, Will Shriner, introduces each episode giving it context and sharing a bit of his insight based on his many Tonight Show appearances. 

There's not really much to write about this podcast. The recommendation is simple. If, like me, you grew up watching Johnny, Ed and Doc at 11:30 every night this one will take you back. If provides everything except the soft glow of the TV screen.  

This last TV connected podcast is the newest one on my weekly menu. I discovered it when the host was a guest on another of my favorite programs. I'll have more about that in my next post when I share my "radio" based podcasts. But now let's move on. The title of this one is a show business pun. 

Hollywood & Levine: Without a doubt, my all time favorite TV show is M*A*S*H. I have watched the episodes over and over and over. Almost any time I find it on my TV, I watch it. If its not on TV (and it always seems to be) I can get out my DVDs and watch the entire series. 

Not only am I familiar with the characters and actors but also the names of the producers, directors, and writers as well. I've seen their names flash before my eyes at the start of every episode hundreds of times. 

That's why I was thrilled when at the start of January, I discovered a podcast hosted by Ken Levine. 

Along with his writing partner, David Isaacs, Levine wrote many of the episodes for M*A*S*H throughout their 5th, 6th, and 7th seasons. Among them my favorites, "A Night At Rosies" and "Patent 4077".

They also wrote for many other TV shows including: Cheers, Frasier, Mary Tyler Moore, The Jeffersons and many more. They have even won an Emmy or two.  

That's why I was thrilled when I discovered his podcast "Hollywood and Levine". 

It's just Ken sharing knowledge about comedy writing or his stories and experiences as a radio DJ, television writer and a baseball announcer. All of those are things are among my interests as well. 

So although I've only listened to a few of them, I am trying to catch up on all 150 + episodes which date all the way back to 2017. 

I really like this guy and am enjoying his podcast. If you like being entertained by someone who has been in show business for a long time check out "Hollywood & Levine". 

So there you have the podcasts I listen to that have ties to television. 

In my 3rd and final post of this series I will share those that have connections to radio; as well as a one or two that fit into no specific category. 

Thanks for taking the time to read this Yankee Near Nashville blog post. See you next time. Have a great weekend. 





When it comes to common interests this guy checks almost the boxes for me.