Molly Rogers, Emmy Award Winning Costume Designer, Joins Mick & Mook on 10 January

Upcoming Guest

Molly Rogers is a costume designer and image consultant who styles fashion photo shoots, feature films, television, and commercials. Molly has worked in NYC since 1984 and began her illustrious career in costumes working with legendary costume designer Patricia Field on Michael Mann’s TV series “CRIME STORY” on location in Las Vegas. Molly has accumulated an impressive list of iconic TV and film credits including the “SEX AND THE CITY” tv series and both movies,…

THE PERENNIAL
By Roy Firestone
Emmy Award Winning Journalist

Up Close with Roy Firestone

He’ll be 82 years old on his next birthday. He once performed for a crowd of 185,000 in Rio . He drew three crowds that size that week. At the time, those were the largest live audiences in the history of live performances. His voice is virtually shot from the hundreds, maybe thousands, of performances and studio time. But people don’t care that he doesn’t sound like he used to. And more importantly, HE doesn’t…

Vincent Bondi, Reformed NYC Hoodlum, Joins Mick & Mook on 12/27

Upcoming Guest

 Vincent Bondi grew up on the asphalt streets of the Bronx. He was convicted of stealing a car at the age of 13 and spent the next four years in a juvenile detention center until he “aged out.” He called those the toughest years he ever spent in stir. Vincent later graduated to bookmaking, loan sharking, and maybe just a little “physical persuasiveness.”   He spent the next 30 years in and out of prison, including one notable…

“Now and Then”… The Beatles Final Bow
By Gil Vieira

vSportsTalk - By Gil Vieira

Christmas came early this year, especially if you’re a Baby Boomer, as am I. However, even if you’re not a Boomer, but you love music and have a heart, the release of the music video “Now and Then” by The Beatles in November was a gift everyone can truly treasure. But a warning, prepare for your emotions to take over. The song “Now and Then” was written by John Lennon in the 1970s. Dubbed ‘the…

BUCK… The Wisest, Kindest and Gentlest Soul
By Roy Firestone | Emmy Award Winning Journalist

Up Close with Roy Firestone

With all the hate and division and violence in this world, I wanted to share the story of a man who saw and lived through all kinds of discrimination and injustice but decided to live a life of gratitude and love. I’ve been fortunate to have met so many unforgettable people in sports in my career. I knew… Ali. Wilt. Ted Williams. Billie Jean King. Arthur Ashe. Charles Barkley. So many people. They were large…

Legendary Umpire Joe West Discusses Newest HOF Members on 12/13 Podcast

Upcoming Guest

When Joe West first put on a MLB umpire uniform Walter Alston was managing the Dodgers and Dusty Baker was in the Dodgers’ outfield. From that day in 1976, until the final day of the 2021 season, Joe called more games (5,460) than any umpire in history. That doesn’t include the 4 All Star Games, 10 League Championship Series (LCS), 8 League Division Series (LDS), 4 Wild Card Games, and 6 World Series, which Joe called. Joe was also behind the plate…

Writer, Author & Director, Stan Zimmerman, Joins Mick & Mook on 11/29

Upcoming Guest

Multi award-winner Stan Zimmerman will be joining Billy and Frank on the November 29 episode of A Mick A Mook and A Mic. Stan is a writer, producer, creator, and director of television, theatre, and film. Alongside writing partner James Berg, he has written for many television series including The Golden Girls, Roseanne, and The Gilmore Girls, plus feature films such as The Brady Bunch Movie and A Very Brady Sequel. Zimmerman and Berg are…

Thank You For Life…
In Grace and Gratitude
By Gil Vieira

vSportsTalk - By Gil Vieira

With another Thanksgiving upon us, I’ve been pondering for days what to write this year. Obviously, a Thanksgiving blog should be a positive writing about giving thanks. I’ve done so in the past, but with everything that’s happening in the world and in my life of late, I was finding it difficult to be inspired and to find the right words. I’ll refrain from discussing my personal issues, but what’s happening in the world is…

Celebrity Chef, Eddie Herbert, Joins Mick & Mook on Their 15 November Podcast

Upcoming Guest

A Native New Orleans Chef, Eddie Herbert moved to NY where he graduated from the famed Culinary Institute of America. There he got his first taste (pardon the pun) of celebrity where he fed, amongst others, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, and Andy Warhol. The Chef stayed in New York where he gained more experience at NY’s famed eateries Romeo Salta’s, La Gauloise, and The Carlyle Hotel, which headlined entertainer Bobby Short. Chef Eddie was recruited to…

Actor Matthew Laurance Joins Mick & Mook on 11/1

Upcoming Guest

Matthew Laurance, best known for his roles on Beverly Hills 90210, Eddie & The Cruisers, and on Saturday Night Live, will be joining Billy & Frank on their 1 November podcast of A Mick A Mook and A Mic. Born in Queens, New York, Matthew is a graduate of Tufts University. He is the identical twin brother of Mitchell, also a professional actor. Along with many more film and television credits, Matthew has also been…

Things that make me go……hmmmm ?
By Frank Pace (The Mook)

theMook - by Frank Pace (The Mook)

Perhaps at our next breakfast my friend, Nick the attorney (who has way more book smarts than me), can explain these random thoughts I keep having, because I sure as hell can’t figure them out… Why does the US keep making pennies and nickels? Did you know it costs 2.72 cents to make a penny? According to an April 2023 article in MONEY magazine it is even more expensive to make nickels. Would you believe…

Kamei and Henry, Founders of the Big Comedy Network, Join Mick & Mook on 10/18

Upcoming Guest

Catherine Kamei and Scott Henry, founders of the Big Comedy Network and Executive Producers of ‘All American Sex-Offender’ on Amazon Prime, Join Mick & Mook on their 18 October podcast. Scott Henry, a 30-year comedy veteran has performed around the world. His distinguished career has included three network television development deals for sitcoms based on his comedy and numerous television and film credits. Scott can also be heard as the voice of major brands and as a narrator…

Grumpy Old Men, Sports Media, and the Mute Button
By Gil Vieira

vSportsTalk - By Gil Vieira

I thought it was me. As the years fly by, I catch myself being more critical of things…be it politics, media, sports, or just life in general. I assumed it was just me becoming a grumpy old guy…but wait… One morning while listening to CBS Sports Radio, I heard a ‘talking head’ state exactly what I’ve been thinking and doing for a few years. He couldn’t take the buffoonery and arrogant comments of sports analysts…

JOHN NABER: 4 Time Olympic Swimming Champion & TV Broadcaster Joins ‘A Mick A Mook and A Mic’ Podcast on 10/4

Upcoming Guest

John Naber won 4 gold medals in the 76 Montreal Olympics and set six world records in his illustrious career. After his Olympic success, Naber went on to be a television announcer for over 30 different sports, a corporate speaker, and an author. He has volunteered his time to many charities and is currently a Member of the Board of Directors of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee. As a published author, Naber has…

GAGA ABOUT THE LADY
By Roy Firestone
Multi Emmy Award-Winning Journalist

Up Close with Roy Firestone

When they asked Steve Martin what it takes to break through in the entertainment business, he said it’s not about agents, contacts, or luck…it’s about, as he put it, “being SO good at what you do, that they can’t ignore you.” With that in mind, I give you the story of Stefani Germanotta. For years, this classically trained pianist and singer played in dumps, strip bars, and sleazy clubs. As a young kid…she idolized Judy…

New MLB Rules a Big Winner in 2023
By Gil Vieira

vSportsTalk - By Gil Vieira

With September upon us and the MLB regular season winding down, I thought I’d give MLB its due for the success of their new rules in 2023. Here’s a look at the four major rule changes that made a significant difference in today’s game. Larger Bases:  While I didn’t see the need for wider bases, I was very much in favor of changing the thickness of the bags. I never understood why the bases were…

Writer & Director, Stan Zimmerman, to Join Mick & Mook

Upcoming Guest

Stan Zimmerman is a TV Writer, Playwrite, and Director. From The Golden Girls to Roseanne to The Gilmore Girls to the Brady Bunch Movie, Stan has a lifetime of experiences and stories. Did you know Stan and his writing partner, Jim Berg, were once commissioned by Priscilla Presley to write a Broadway Play about Elvis? A student of the theatre, Stan has also written and directed a series of plays including the current run, The Diary…

Lukas & Willie Nelson: The Tradition Endures
by Roy Firestone Multi Emmy Award Winning Journalist

Up Close with Roy Firestone

Willie Nelson is now 90 years-old and still touring. He’s had the most remarkable life.   For nearly 70 years in show business, Willie has written great songs and sung them well. He has entertained millions of people and has sold equally as many records. In addition, he’s been an activist and an outspoken figure for Farm Aid and numerous other charities.   You would think with his tour schedule, which could have hundreds of…

MLB Umpire ‘Cowboy’ Joe West Joins Mick and Mook for Their 3rd Anniversary Show on 9/6

Upcoming Guest

MLB Umpire ‘Cowboy’ Joe West joins Billy and Frank on 6 September for the third anniversary show of their podcast, A Mick A Mook and A Mic.   Joe West, the retired, iconic umpire of Major League Baseball who, in his 43 years of service, set the all-time MLB record with 5,460  games in blue, has become a regular visitor to the show.  Joe will provide his unique county humor and vast baseball knowledge to this…

Remembering My First Pro Athlete Interview
by Gil Vieira

vSportsTalk - By Gil Vieira

August 9, 2023 It was August 1978. Forty-five years ago. Yikes! The first professional athlete that I was fortunate to interview was Red Sox second baseman Jerry Remy. We talked while leaning against the infield tarp located down the right field line at Fenway Park. I remember it like it was yesterday. Prior to the interview, I was thrilled to meet multiple players during batting practice…and for simply being on the field itself. Hell, I…

Emmy Award Winning Journalist, Armen Keteyian, Joins Mick & Mook on August 23rd

Upcoming Guest

Armen Keteyian is an 11-time Emmy Award winner. He has a decorated print and broadcast career spanning over 40 years. Armen will be joining Billy and Frank on the August 23rd episode of A Mick A Mook and A Mic to discuss his new, explosive book, “GAMBLER: Secrets from a Life at Risk”, which he co-authored with Billy Walters. The book is the amazing story of Billy Walters who, per ESPN, “is the greatest and…

The Development of an Iconic Filmmaker
By Roy Firestone
Emmy Award-Winning Journalist

Up Close with Roy Firestone

Steve was a lonely kid. He was ridiculed, bullied, and mocked, mostly because he was Jewish. He had few close friends, but he found relief from the sadness when he became obsessed with the movies. It helped him escape the pain of his parents’ divorce – and the wonder of making films was an escape to him, as it was for many lonely, hurting kids. And so, Steve made little movies using a Bell and…

Multi-talented Actor, Peter Onorati, Joins Mick & Mook on 8/9

Upcoming Guest

Peter Onorati is an extremely talented performer whose 40-year acting career includes titles like: Goodfellas, This Is Us, Civil Wars, S.W.A.T., Big Bang Theory, and Cop Rock. Peter was born and raised in Boonton, New Jersey. He attended Lycoming College where he received his B.A. degree in Business Administration. He later received an MBA at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Peter was also an excellent athlete, who was recognized as an NCAA All-Conference football wide receiver. He’s still a fitness…

“Goliath”…the Story of the Great Wilt Chamberlain
By Roy Firestone
Multi Emmy Award Winning Journalist

Up Close with Roy Firestone

Beginning next weekend and for the following three weekends, I will be one of the lead voices with recollections, stories, and interviews in a fascinating series about, easily, the most fascinating man who ever strode a basketball court. It’s called “Goliath”, and I am heavily featured in the 3-part documentary that tells the story of the most compelling athlete in basketball history…and yes, that includes Michael Jordan. What makes this series so groundbreaking, and I…