'Live In Front of a Studio Audience': Norman Lear Tells Tales of the ABC Special (WATCH)

I recently had the honor of moderating a panel with Norman Lear and his production company partner Brent Miller that touched on their recent successes, including ABC's hit special "Live in Front of a Studio Audience" (which has now been picked up for two more editions), the Pop TV revival of "One Day at a Time," and much more. Held at the SAG-AFTRA Foundation on Aug. 6, 2019. Watch above!

Ayyyyy! Henry Winkler Shares Life Lessons, and Lives Up to His Reputation as Hollywood's Nicest Guy (WATCH)

Last month I sat down with the Fonz himself, Henry Winkler, for a wide-ranging conversation about his career and his recent Emmy win, for HBO's "Barry," among other things. It was a part of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation conversations series, and it was a pleasure. Later, after Henry sent me a gracious thank you note for the chat, I sent him this: A photo of me in the late 1970s with a Fonz t-shirt:

And he sent me back this:

See? Told you. A Hollywood treasure. Enjoy the conversation above.

Hangin' With Mr. Robot: My Chat with Christian Slater

Last week I sat down with Christian Slater at the SAG-AFTRA Foundation for a wide-ranging chat about "Mr. Robot," his career and finally landing a big TV success. Along the way, "Pump Up the Volume" and "Heathers" were also mentioned. The SAG-AFTRA audience screened the Season 2 "Mr. Robot" episode that featured a "TGIF" sitcom parody and a cameo by ALF, so we talked a lot about that as well. Watch below!

A Conversation with the Stars of ABC's "Black-ish"

Last Thursday I had a blast moderating a SAG Foundation panel for the new hit ABC comedy "Black-ish." Stars Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross were great, and their chemistry as the show's husband and wife is evident. But like I mention in the opening, the show's secret weapon may be the young actors who play their children on the show -- they're all strong.



Panels like these, when the stars come to play, laugh and perform, are a joy to moderate. I dug this one. And best of all, even though Anthony Anderson can easily take over a room, I think I managed to keep things in control. Watch below!

A "Shameless" Evening with William H. Macy

At this summer's San Diego Comic-Con, I had the opportunity to moderate the panel for Showtime's dysfunctional family series "Shameless" -- and had a blast doing it.

Earlier this month, the Screen Actors Guild Foundation asked me to once again moderate a "Shameless" panel, again with star William H. Macy (and this time with Shanola Hampton and Steve Howey, who play the Gallaghers' neighbors). Macy told several stories, including of the moment that he first heard, as a struggling actor, that he had landed the coveted "Fargo" role that made him a star. Macy says his family likes his shaggy hair look -- grown out for his role as drunken patriarch Frank Gallagher.

Spending Time with the 'Men of a Certain Age'

(Photo: Maarten de Boer/SAG Foundation)

I had a blast on Tuesday night moderating a panel for TNT's "Men of a Certain Age," which -- to borrow an old TV Guide feature -- is easily one of the Best Shows That You're Not Watching. Star/co-creator Ray Romano was battling a fierce cold and fellow star Andre Braugher had to catch a late flight, but both were there and in funny form, along with the cast's third member, Scott Bakula. Also on stage: Co-creator Mike Royce.

The panel, held as a part of the SAG Foundation's "Conversations" series, gave plenty of insight into the the creation of "Men of a Certain Age," and how the show is tough to categorize (which could be why it struggles to attract a larger audience). It's the most dramatic role of Ray Romano's career, and it's the most comedic of Andre Braugher's. It's a show about a group of men, but it's not a show about a bunch of guys acting like stereotypical guys. It's simply a funny, and deep, show about the what it's like to be struggling to achieve and maintain your life as you approach 50.

For Romano and Royce, it also represented a change of pace after writing set-up-joke-set-up-joke sitcoms. But like "Raymond," it continues in the classic style of "write what you know" comedy -- with strong results.

A few things gleaned from the panel:

-- Romano's character, Joe, has a gambling problem -- and Romano admits that his character's gambling is a bit autobiographical. That includes Joe's habit of making "self bets" -- promising himself a reward (like Lakers tickets) only if he achieves a goal. Romano says he considered making a "self bet" episode of "Raymond" but decided it would be too dark for that comedy.

-- Romano and Royce originally offered Braugher's role to "The Wire's" Wendell Pierce -- but Pierce was already committed to HBO's "Treme." That's when Braugher was suggested. When Romano and Royce checked his IMDB credits, they couldn't find a single comedy on his resume -- but knew he was too good to pass up.

-- Bakula notes that he's nothing like his manchild character, Terry, but that he's intrigued to see the character finally mature and perhaps settle down.

The second half of season two debuts June 1 on TNT. Among the storylines, Joe looks to get his gambling under control but winds up reviving his friendship with his bookie, who's struggling with cancer. Meanwhile, Owen (Braugher) tries to find new ways to save the struggling car dealership he inherited from his dad.

Send Me Your Questions for Ray Romano and Everyone Else Behind TNT's "Men of a Certain Age"

I wasn't sure what to make of TNT's "Men of a Certain Age" at first. A dramatic comedy on TNT, the "we know drama" network? A much more serious Ray Romano? A much less serious Andre Braugher? A non-quantum leaping Scott Bakula?

Then I checked it out -- and was immediately drawn in. Sure, I'm 10 to 15 years younger than these guys, but I'm fast approaching being a "man of a certain age" myself. And the show's compelling mix of middle age angst and humor (this is from "Everybody Loves Raymond" sitcom vets Romano and Mike Royce, after all) easily makes it my favorite show on TNT.

I'll be moderating a SAG Found ation panel on Tuesday all about "Men of a Certain Age" and featuring stars Romano, Braugher and Bakula, as well as Royce. Got any questions for the stars or creators? Hit me up on email or leave a suggestion below.

"Men of a Certain Age" returns to TNT with six all-new episodes beginning Wednesday, June 1, at 10 p.m.