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…

Joey Banks – Actor, Stuntman and Son of Baseball HOFer Ernie Banks Joins Mick & Mook on 7/12

Upcoming Guest

Joey Banks, the son of the legendary Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame icon, Ernie Banks, will join Billy and Frank on the July 12th episode of A Mick A Mook and A Mic. On this fascinating episode, Joey talks about the pressures, benefits, and drawbacks of growing up in the spotlight of his iconic father  He speaks fondly of playing catch at Wrigley Field with Hall of Famers Billy Williams and Ron Santo. Joey also…

A Night with Fellow HOFers – and Remembering the “Castle on the Hill”
By Gil Vieira

vSportsTalk - By Gil Vieira

I’ve written a little in the past about my historic hometown of Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Located on Massachusetts’ south coast on picturesque Buzzards Bay, it’s about halfway between Providence, Rhode Island and Cape Cod. It was the site of the first naval battle in the Revolutionary War, which was fought off the beachfront of Fort Phoenix – the guardian of the Fairhaven-New Beford Harbor and the largest fishing fleet in America at the time – and…

The Over the Hill Gang…Swings Again!
By Frank Pace

theMook - by Frank Pace (The Mook)

When Thomas Wolfe wrote You Can’t Go Home Again in 1940, the classic novel proposed that nostalgia causes one to view the past in an overly positive light. Going home is never as good as one remembers. The Writers Guild strike in Los Angeles inadvertently gave me the opportunity to test Wolfe’s theory.   l flew in from California to attend a loosely organized reunion of my childhood friends. We grew up playing baseball on the sandlots and…

India de Beaufort, co-star of the NBC hit series, ‘Night Court,’ Joins Mick & Mook on 6/28

Upcoming Guest

Actor and singer, India de Beaufort, will be the guest of Frank and Billy on the June 28th podcast of A Mick A Mook and A Mic.  India currently stars as assistant district attorney, Olivia Moore, in the NBC revived hit series, Night Court.  She  has acted in many films and television shows, including NCIS, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, Veep, Modern Family  and One Day At A Time.  In 2020, India released her single titled “Crack”.  Born Southwest of London in Kingston…