In this SEASON 3 FINALE, I sit down with Emmy, Peabody, and Humanitas Award-winning writer and comedy icon John Markus. From memories of his mother's hearty Eastern European cooking to early joke writing for legends like Bob Hope and Joan Rivers. John shares his incredible journey through the world of comedy. Get the inside scoop on his breakout role with the hit sitcom Taxi, and how he rose to become head writer and show-runner on one of the most iconic shows of the 80s that later became controversial because of its star, Bill Cosby. And in a delicious twist, he also lets us in on how he became a member of the Barbecue Hall of Fame and created the hit TV show, BBQ Pitmasters! A hilarious and revealing conversation with this comedy legend, one with an unheard-of surprise ending.
In this episode, SAG Award-winning actress Caroline Aaron shares what it was like growing up Jewish in the South, dining out gratis, thanks to her father’s work as a restaurant supplier before his untimely death, and the subsequent Southern meals lovingly prepared by her family’s African-American housekeeper—including fried chicken and a distinctive red/orange matzoh ball soup at Passover. She reflects on her activist single mother’s influence, dinner table conversations centered on social justice, and the values that shaped her. Caroline also discusses her work with legendary directors like Mike Nichols, Woody Allen, and Tim Burton, and recalls Uta Hagen’s unforgettable advice about food and acting. Join me for a vibrant, funny, and heartfelt conversation with one of the most prolific and versatile actresses of stage, screen, and television.
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Director/Actor Nick Castle remembers growing up in Hollywood with his Italian-American family eating traditional ethnic fare, having his famous movie choreographer father home for dinner after working at a nearby film studio which young Nick would often visit, and meals with his extended family in Queens, NY. He also talks about his writing collaborations with fellow USC Film School director/alum John Carpenter and ...a fortuitous visit to the original 'Halloween' movie set and the unbelievable result. A down-to-earth and sometimes unpredictable conversation with this veteran director.
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In this episode, 5-time James Beard Award Winner Dorie Greenspan remembers her non-cooking parents, learning to love food by going out to dinner and burning down the family kitchen! She discusses cookbook collaborations with Julia Child, Daniel Boulud, and Jean-George, how she cooks differently in New York and Paris, and her love of baking, calling it a generous act because it's always shared. Join my illuminating and often hilarious conversation with this influential food writer and author of 15 cookbooks.
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In this episode, Sachi Parker, the daughter of award-winning actress Shirley MacClain, talks about moving at age 2 from LA to Japan with her father, producer and gourmet cook Steve Parker. She remembers harvesting sea urchin from the sea and eating them alfresco, and always accompanying her father as he cooked. Boarding school food was horrible in England and divine in Switzerland, after which came a shocking ultimatum from her mother. She then spent five years as a multilingual flight attendant only to return to LA and her mother’s house, where Sachi became an actress herself, a daughter, and a dinner party cook for her mother‘s Hollywood friends. What a life from this extraordinary woman! Join us.
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In this episode, Peter McCrea, the son of Hollywood legends Joel McCrea and Francis Dee, talks about growing up on their ranch with cattle, chickens, an organic vegetable garden, wood stove cooking, and being exposed to the cycle of life. Living there also featured visits from movie stars Gary Cooper, Spencer Tracy, Katherine Hepburn, and Maurice Chevalier! He also discusses his work creating philanthropic funding and micro financing for global sustainable and organic agriculture. A truly fascinating conversation I know you'll enjoy!
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In this episode, TV writer/producer/showrunner Nancey Silvers describes her southern Mom’s grits and fried chicken, eating deli food with her father, the magnificent comedian Phil Silvers, being required to help with the household chores, & eating fresh, at her mom’s insistence, right from the stove. She remembers movie star tour busses stopping for lunch on their Beverly Hills front lawn and being served wine on holidays as a kid. She also talks about why she became a writer, and the joy of grandparenting. A lively and heartfelt visit with this prolific and successful writer.
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In this episode of ‘Cooking By Heart,’ Griffin Dunne described this soup served by his mother’s Mexican family as being the go-to comfort meal choice throughout his life. All the food groups are represented, and the dish has been refined by his grown daughter since he first introduced it to her. Feel free to take a swing at your version of this basic recipe.
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In this episode, award-winning actress Stockard Channing describes a privileged childhood, with bland food both at home and while eating out; surviving on lots of carbs in boarding school, followed by an early marriage; “competition” cooking as a young housewife, and a gourmand friend mentoring and honing her kitchen skills. Divorce, a decision to become an actress, and a move to New City became the genesis of an award-winning career, as well as her becoming an accomplished cook and discovering the comfort and joy of eating. A candid and witty conversation with this extraordinary woman.
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In this episode, multiple Tony Award-winning actor James Naughton talks about his father’s digestive problems which led to lots of bland Irish food at home, food discoveries as a student and in his burgeoning acting career, being discovered by TV and Film, and our mutual friendship with Roddy McDowell. He also gives an impassioned shout-out to two amazing charities close to his heart and home. A riveting conversation with a great man!
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In this episode, Award Winning actress Camryn Manheim remembers her teacher-mother’s faux gourmet cooking, her professor-father’s love of spicy food, & intellectual banter at the dinner table. She also relates how her mother’s skill at party food inspired her own parties of 80 or more guests while in grad school in NYC, with celeb guests like Jude Law and JFK, Jr. Then, a one woman show she wrote about being full bodied led to a zany audition with Uber TV producer David E. Kelley and being cast on “The Practice.” A rollicking, wonderful conversation with this remarkable actress and teacher.
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In this episode, award winning actor Victor Garber talks about growing up with his local celebrity mom, his funny, depressed father’s amazing French toast, and his developing type 1 diabetes at 11. At 16, he leaves home & school to pursue a folk singing career, which leads to a hit record, and a subsequent stage, movie, and TV career and his life changing work with J.J. Abrams and Garber’s multiple award nominated role on ‘Alias.’ A fascinating conversation with this star of stage screen and TV. Don't forget to follow all of the social media!
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In this episode, former NBC/Universal vice-chair Bonnie Hammer remembers her mother’s “kosher” cooking as tasteless and uninspiring, eating college food featuring plentiful carbs (enhanced by ice cream and burgers), and an early marriage where she took up recipe cooking. There are inspiring and hilarious stories of her advancing at early jobs from picking up dog poop to becoming a producer, and ultimately being mentored by her boss, the business titan Barry Diller. She also discusses her splendid book “15 Lies Women Are Told at Work…” with brilliant insights born from her years as “The Queen of Cable.” An entertaining and penetrating conversation with an extraordinary woman!
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From the time he could stand, James Beard Award winner Chef Paul Smith remembers helping his Italian grandfather cook, the presence of a large Italian contingent in the coal mines, & after school ‘butter steaks’ with his brother. He also discusses his extensive culinary training that led to his return home to communicate the food culture of Appalachia in his restaurants, seeing those restaurants as an extension of his childhood family gatherings, his recovery from alcohol addiction, & helping others in the hospitality industry. A heartfelt visit with a master chef!
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n this episode, award winning actress Jill Eikenberry talks about her peripatetic Midwestern childhood, her diet heavy on luscious meat and cheese dishes, frozen vegetables, visits to her aunt’s farm, and a bloodthirsty story about her grandmother’s chickens. She also recalls a story about a blind friend guiding her through the school cafeteria during a college blackout, her introduction to gourmet eating from her husband, actor/writer/cook Michael Tucker, followed by her and her husband’s entre into the world of TV stardom and the almost simultaneous discovery of breast cancer, spurring her activism as a breast cancer survivor. A humorous and revealing talk with an extraordinary woman! Don't forget to follow all of the social media!
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In this episode, Illeana Douglas talks about growing up in two worlds of food: that of her Hollywood Royalty Grandfather Melvin Douglas and her Queens, NY Italian/Romanian family. She describes her father’s creating a hippie commune and later her on-and-off-camera relationship with Martin Scorsese, along with an extraordinary evening with Scorsese and Marlon Brando. Join me for an audio or video conversation with this amazing Actress/Writer/TV Commentator. Don't forget to follow all of the social media!
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In this episode, Michael Urie remembers his mother’s delicious eclectic cooking and his often-frustrated efforts to recreate it. He also describes his roundabout career route, the serendipity of his acceptance into the prestigious Julliard Acting Program, being introduced to his Queens NY Italian family & their raucous meals, and his efforts to find the perfect neutral eating regimen while performing on Broadway 8 times a week. A wonderfully colorful culinary journey guided by this extraordinarily talented star of stage, screen, and TV. Don't forget to follow all of the social media!
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In this episode, Rosanna Arquette remembers her peripatetic childhood, her working artist parents, and eating lots of ‘high quality’ fast food. A vegetarian menu follows at a commune, then leaving home in her teens, being 'discovered' in LA, and becoming a self-taught cook with her sights on healthy food. She describes her go-to salad and stuffing, and longs for more get-togethers with her siblings centered around creative meals. We also touch on her directing career, the conflicts actresses face between home and career, & her immersion in the Me2 Movement via her Harvey Weinstein experience. A down-to-earth and revealing conversation with this extraordinary woman.
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In this episode, multi-talented actor/author Ed Begley, Jr. talks about the family cook who changed his life, the startling family secret he learned at 15, his wild youth, and amazing stories about his friends Marlon Brando and The Beatles from his memoir "To the Temple of Tranquility...and Step On It! You can't miss this one!
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