The Beauty of a Ballpark – by Multi Emmy Winning Journalist, Roy Firestone

Up Close with Roy Firestone

There’s something about a ballpark. Any ballpark. Anywhere. Baseball ballparks are mostly outdoors, and if you’re lucky and you are there to witness it…theres a beauty you can see and feel in your surroundings. It’s in the sunset. It reaches into your soul. You don’t get the same wonder in football stadiums or arenas. This is sunset at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, perhaps the game’s most beautiful ballpark. The glory of a sunset kissing…

It Happened on August 1, 1972
By Roy Firestone
Multi-Emmy Award Winning Journalist

Up Close with Roy Firestone

Here’s a funny and true story that references humility and accomplishment – and the fact that even when you finally do something really ‘great’ someone, somewhere, is doing better than you. This is a story that I tell in my live show. It involves three-time All-star Nate Colbert. All-star Nate was enjoying the game of his life. Colbert’s best day in the majors was August 1, 1972, when he hit five home runs – matching…

Actor Todd Grinnell Joins Mick and Mook on April 17th

Upcoming Guest

Actor and Director Todd Grinnell, known for playing janitor Dwayne Patrick “Pat” Schneider in Norman Lear’s 1970s sitcom, ONE DAY AT A TIME, joins Billy and Frankon the April 17th episode of A Mick A Mook and A Mic.  Additional Grinnell credits include FOUR KINGS, GRACE & FRANKIE, and WITH LOVE. Born in Massachusetts, Grinnell landed his first professional gig at the age of 26, appearing in the film “Lost Soul” (2002). His television debut…

“Hope Springs Eternal” – Alexander Pope
By Gil Vieira | March 19, 2024

vSportsTalk - By Gil Vieira

For many people, New Years’ Day is viewed and used as a new beginning. Hopefully, the new year will provide an opportunity for a fresh start. However, for me – one who has lived most of my life dealing with winter in the Northeast, Spring is that time of the year in which hope, and new beginnings, occur. The great English poet, Alexander Pope – who is the second most quoted English author in The…

An Outtake from ‘If These Lips Could Talk’

MMM, theMook - by Frank Pace (The Mook)

(Editor’s Note:  The following is an outtake from the book IF THESE LIPS COULD TALK by Frank Pace & Billy O’Connor. It never made it into the book. Nevertheless, we thought you might like to read it. To purchase the book, go to: https://amickamookandamic.com/product/if-these-lips-could-talk/ _______ My father used say “Frankie boy, if bullshit was music, you would be the whole brass band.” I learned how to “spin” at a very young age. I was working…

Tom Arnold, Renowned Actor and Comedian, Joins Billy and Frank on 3/20

Upcoming Guest

Tom Arnold is both a funny and controversial individual. This is definitely an episode you won’t want to miss, especially if you like show business stories. Arnold is best known for playing Arnie Thomas on Roseanne, which starred his ex-wife Roseanne Barr, and opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in True  Lies. Tom has appeared in many films, including True Lies, Nine Months, Big Bully, Carpool, McHale’s Navy, Animal Factory , Cradle 2 the Grave, Mr. 3000, Happy Endings, Pride, The Great Buck Howard, and Madea’s Witness Protection Tom was also the host of The…

Young TV Comedy Director, Ren Bell, Joins Mick & Mook on April 3rd

Upcoming Guest

Ren Bell, one of America’s foremost  young TV Comedy Directors, will join Billy and Frank on the April 3rd episode of A Mick A Mook and A Mic. This young, South Carolina native is not only a Dick Van Dyke lookalike he is a throwback to the days Van Dyke, Carroll O’Connor, Andy Griffith, Candice Bergen, and Robin Williams plied their trade under the watchful eyes of  genius directors such as Howard Morris, Howard Storm,…

Remembering My Boyhood Idol … ‘Tony C’
By Gil Vieira | February 20, 2024 | vSportsTalk

vSportsTalk - By Gil Vieira

It was the Spring of 1964. Yes, you read that correctly …1964. 60-years ago! I was a kid who loved playing and watching baseball. It was a time when baseball was king. It was America’s pastime. Living south of Boston, I was a huge Red Sox fan. Growing up, Ted Williams was a Boston sports icon, and in 1961, Carl Yastrzemski took over the mantle from Ted, as the leader of the Sox. However, it…

Actor Nyambi Nyambi Joins Mick & Mook on 2/21

Upcoming Guest

Nyambi, best know for his roles on Night Court, The Good Fight, and Mike & Molly, will be joining Billy and Frank on the February 21st episode of A Mick A Mook and A Mic. Born in Norman, Oklahoma, Nyambi went to Bucknell on a scholarship to play basketball. He also became interested in acting during his final year and decided to study for his Master of Fine Arts at New York University. After completing…

The Courage to Continue
By Roy Firestone
Multi Emmy Award-Winning Journalist

Up Close with Roy Firestone

Ravens and Lions fans are hurting. They were so close to seeing their teams win title games and vault into the Super Bowl. But they didn’t. Maybe it was a fumbled football, a dropped pass, a missed tackle, or in the case of the Lions two gambles that didn’t pay off. But those teams failed. It’s of little solace, but if you haven’t failed you will never succeed. Because you haven’t tried. I want to…

Emmy Award-Winning Director, Michael Lembeck, Joins Mick & Mook on February 7th

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Michael Lembeck, the Emmy Award-Winning Director of FRIENDS and Actor on One Day At A Time, will be the guest on the A Mick A Mook and A Mic podcast, 7 February. Lembeck won an Emmy for his work on the Friends episode “The One After the Superbowl”, and also directed 22 other episodes of the series.  Lembeck was born in Brooklyn, New York and began acting in the late 1960s and directing in the 70s.  His father was the legendary acting coach…

Dolly Parton: A Life Well Lived
By Roy Firestone
Multi Time Emmy Award Winning Journalist

Up Close with Roy Firestone

I think we need to focus more on great people than scoundrels. We have a lot more great people in life than miserable ones. Character, generosity, and kindness are traits far more impressive to me than affluence, celebrity, and social standing. Dolly Parton recently turned 78 years old. Here’s a person I have never met, but every person I have ever known who knows her says she is a superb human being…and you can pretty…

My, How Time Flies…Pay Attention!
by Gil Vieira, vSportsTalk

vSportsTalk - By Gil Vieira

Wait…is it really 2024? It’s hard to believe that I’ve been alive for more decades than I want to admit. I used to say, “I’m getting old.”  Now…I am old! The funny thing is (or maybe it’s a little sad), I wouldn’t want to be young in today’s world. I’m somewhat glad to be my age. I’ve lived as a proud and grateful American, and I was fortunate to have an eventful and enjoyable life.…

Producer and Actor, Melissa Rauch, Joins Mick & Mook on 1/24

Upcoming Guest

Melissa Rauch burst into prominence in the role of  Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz (2009-2019) on the  massive CBS hit sitcom The Big Bang Theory,   Melissa was nominated for the ‘Critics’ Choice Television Award’ for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2013.  She then used her ‘Big Bang’ experience to start her own production company, After January Productions, with her husband, Winston. After January Prods secured the rights to 80’s hit ‘NIGHT COURT’ in which they currently Executive Produce the revival with Warner…

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…