John Shaffner, Multiple Emmy Award Winner, Joins Mick & Mook on January 4

Upcoming Guest

John Shaffner is the dean of production designers in Hollywood. This Montana native has been nominated for an extraordinary 60 Emmys in his career with multiple wins. John’s fertile mind conceived and executed the sets on: FRIENDS, BIG BANG THEORY, WILL & GRACE, BOB HEARTS ABISHOLA, GEORGE LOPEZ, DREW CAREY and so many more. In addition, John was the President of the Television Academy of Arts and Sciences. John notes that, ironically, all his EMMY nominations…

The Best Christmas Song Ever
by Roy Firestone

Up Close with Roy Firestone

The best Christmas song and vocal was recorded more than 50 years ago and its back story is like a Hallmark Channel movie. And it really happened. Frank Pooler was the choir director at Cal St. Long Beach. In 1946, just after the war, he was stationed in Germany and during the holiday season, he missed his fiancé. So, Frank wrote a poem longhand called “Merry Christmas, Darling”. It had NO melody. Frank and his…

Stephen Lang, Star of Avatar: The Way of Water, Joins Mick & Mook on 12/28

Upcoming Guest

Actor Stephen Lang has had a remarkable career. He is now starring as Colonel Miles Quaritch in the smash hit AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER. His Quaritch also was the antagonist in AVATAR which grossed more the $3 billion in 2011. But Stephen is so much more than Quaritch. Amongst his many film roles, Steve starred as the Old Man in DON’T BREATHE, Ike Clanton in TOMBSTONE, General Stonewall Jackson in GODS & GENERALS, and…

Keeping Pace with Santa
By Frank Pace

theMook - by Frank Pace (The Mook)

A collection of random thoughts, as I embark on my 73rd holiday season…. I am forever thankful for all the blessings I have shared, and for those I look forward to in the future. To family and old friends who have blessed my life and have gone to a better place…  and to those who continue to make my life better like my wife Karen, daughter Erin, Son-in-Law Charlie, and my two granddaughters Frankie &…

Is Watching Sports on TV Less Interesting…Or is it Me?
by Gil Vieira

vSportsTalk - By Gil Vieira

Sports has played a significant role in my life…from my days as a young boy when I played ball daily…to today, after many years of working in the world of sports. I tell you this to magnify why I’m so concerned with my state of mind when it comes to watching sports on television these days. It’s simply not holding my attention as it has my entire life. These days, I’m constantly flipping the channel…

Playwright and Actor, Billy Van Zandt, Joins Mick & Mook on 12/14

Upcoming Guest

Billy Van Zandt is one half of the famous TV writing duo Van Zandt/Milmore, with his late partner Jane Milmore. A playwright and actor,  Billy is the author of the best-selling TV memoir Get in the Car, Jane.  Van Zandt/Milmore were nominated for an Emmy Award for their television special I Love Lucy: The Very First Show, and won People’s Choice and NAACP Image Awards for their work on the Martin Lawrence comedy Martin and a Prism Multi-Cultural Award for his work on TV’s The Hughleys. He and…

Comedian Joey Kola Joins M&M on 12/7

Upcoming Guest

A stand-up comedian for 40 years, Joey Kola has performed for hundreds of thousands of people throughout his career in the US, Canada, and England. His high-energy, spot-on punch lines, and fast delivery assault an audience like a comedic freight train. Joey’s topical and timeless material combine to always make his audiences laugh. Joey has been voted Best TV Comic 5 years in a row by Time Out NY Magazine. He also warmed up shows,…

Springsteen vs. The Four Tops: “When She Was My Girl”
by Mark Blatte (Co-Writer of the Song)

Guest Blogger

Why I love both versions of When She Was My Girl for different reasons. Any writer who is fortunate enough to have his song covered by two such great artists is miraculously fortunate. I count my blessings daily. Larry Gottlieb and I wrote the song in the Motown tradition of sad lyrics in an up-tempo major key. David Wolfert produced it brilliantly in its first iteration, and The Four Tops sold it with a most…

Dwight Hicks, NFL All-Pro, Joins M&M 11/30

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The November 30th episode of A Mick A Mook and A Mic will feature Dwight Hicks, the former San Francisco 49ers’ All-Pro, two-time Super Bowl Champion and current actor. Dwight began his NFL career in 1979, winning Super Bowls in 1982 and 1985. He was named to four consecutive Pro Bowls, as a free safety, from 1981-1984. He was also an All-Pro selection in 1981. After his football career, Dwight went on to become a…

Thanksgiving and Family Traditions
by Gil Vieira

vSportsTalk - By Gil Vieira

I know many are going through some challenging financial times these days. Hell, making a trip to the supermarket is no picnic for me either. In the past two years my grocery bill has increased drastically. And as a diabetic who lives alone, believe me, I purchase the same boring food every week, so it’s not like I’m buying more. Thanks Joe! But that aside, remember it’s not the food on the table that makes…

A Dog’s Life
by Roy Firestone

Up Close with Roy Firestone

He doesn’t know. He couldn’t know how much he means to me. He is there every day. There by my side in stressful times. There by my side in happy times. He is mostly happy all the time. My dog, Kobe, has been my best pal since the day I rescued him. I had been distraught like many of you after we lost Kobe Bryant…then Covid hit and isolated me (like you, too) … and…

Choreographer Rosero McCoy Joins M&M on 11/23

Upcoming Guest

Rosero McCoy, who will be joining Mick & Mook on November 23, is one of the most established and well-rounded Choreographers in the Entertainment Industry. He has worked with the likes of Emmy Award Winner, Zendaya, Usher, Prince, and former First lady Michelle Obama. Some of Rosero’s choreography film credits include Rags, Rio, Honey 2, Camp Rock 2, Alvin and the Chipmunks 1 & 2, Step Up, Beauty Shop, Vanilla Sky, and Garfield 1 & 2. His choreography can also be seen on hit TV…

Be Thankful for Our Veterans
by Gil Vieira

vSportsTalk - By Gil Vieira

With Veteran’s Day approaching, many emotions run through my head and heart. As a grateful Baby Boomer, I’ve witnessed, firsthand, the trials and tribulations of being a veteran, specifically war veterans of World War II and Vietnam. Those two wars played a significant role in my life. For those who read my blog, you know that my dad was a WWII Veteran who paid a heavy price serving his country. As a paratrooper during the…

NBA Columnist and Analyst, Peter Vecsey, Joins M&M on 11/9

Upcoming Guest

Acclaimed sports columnist and basketball analyst, Peter Vecsey, joins Billy and Frank on the November 9th episode of A Mick A Mook and A Mic. The controversial writer has been a fixture in the New York and NBA Media Industry for decades. An analyst for NBA TV, Vecsey has also worked for the NY Post, TBS and NBC. A highly touted writer and TV analyst, Vecsey was the recipient of the Baseball Hall of Fame’s…

Bruce Springsteen and Me
by Mark Blatte

Guest Blogger

Forty years ago, almost to the day, I was at The Power Station co-producing and co-writing with Rachel Sweet and Larry Gottlieb for Rachel’s album for Columbia records. Around nine o’clock, Rachel wanted to take a fifteen-minute break. She said she needed to freshen up for a visitor. When she was doing that, I went to the lounge and sat down on a banquette. The Honeymooners was on, and I began watching. About five minutes…

George Lopez Joins M&M on 11/2

Upcoming Guest

George Lopez, ‘America’s Mexican’ and Star of the hit ABC Series “George Lopez”, which was the first fully Latino-based cast in Hollywood history, joins Mick and Mook on November 2. George’s new NBC series “Lopez v Lopez” debuts this week (November 4) with his daughter, Mayan, as the co-star. George rose from a childhood of nothingness to reach a level of stardom to which few have ascended. TV, movies, and a NY Times best-selling author,…

Holy Cow…Elvis!
by Roy Firestone

Up Close with Roy Firestone

Harry Caray, the legendary baseball announcer was broadcasting an NBA exhibition game once in Memphis. (Harry did broadcast basketball for the St. Louis Hawks). Harry was taking a nap when the phone rang. “Hello”, said Harry. “Hello Harry, this is Elvis Presley, and I’m a big fan of the Hawks”. Before he could finish the sentence…Harry hung up on the caller. Some idiot is pranking me, he thought. The phone rings again. “Harry, it’s really…

MLB Playoffs: Teams You Love to Hate
by Gil Vieira

vSportsTalk - By Gil Vieira

As the 2022 MLB Playoffs approached, I wondered if I’d have enough interest to watch all the games. You see, my Red Sox sucked this season and were nowhere to be found in the brackets. An ALCS finalist in 2021, they finished dead last in the AL East this year. Embarrassing! So, with no rooting interest, could the playoffs hold my attention? As I looked at the brackets, there was really no one to specifically…

Actor Jack McGee Joins M&M on 11/16

Upcoming Guest

Anyone who has watched TV or movies knows Jack McGee. See him on the street and you will say to yourself, where do I know that guy from?  The answer is you’ve seen him in more than 100 movies and TV shows.  Best known on TV for his role opposite Denis Leary in Rescue Me, where he played a grizzly fire fighter…which was not a big stretch for Jack, as be spent many years as…

Happy Birthday, John
by Roy Firestone

Guest Blogger

John Lennon would have been 82 years-old on October 9th had some psycho not shot him six times in the back on December 8, 1980…on my birthday. 82 years old! We can’t even figure out legislation to keep people who have mental problems from owning weapons…but that’s another post. 82 years old! I think about all the music he could have made and was busy making. I think he would’ve written and performed with Paul…

Nestor Carbonell, Actor & Director, Joins Mick & Mook on 10/19

Upcoming Guest

Nestor Carbonell is currently co-starring in the hit series “The Morning Show,” opposite Jennifer Aniston & Reese Witherspoon, now shooting its third season for Apple TV Plus. Nestor is most often recognized for his integral role in the series “Lost” as Richard Alpert, as well as his turn as Mayor Anthony Garcia opposite Gary Oldman in Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight”. He reprised his role as the Mayor of Gotham City in the box-office hit…

Who is Bob Hope? Cultural Knowledge is Lacking Today
by Roy Firestone

Guest Blogger

Not long ago I was doing the sports segment on a LA morning TV show. I made a reference to Howard Cosell. The show’s co-anchor had no idea who that was. THAT’S A CO-NEWS ANCHOR!!!  Hey, Howard died way back in 1995. The point I wanted to make isn’t to embarrass anyone, but to point out that not just news people, but all kinds of people today (mostly young people) have very little cultural knowledge…

Faith Ford, 5x Emmy Award Nominee, Joins M&M on 10/12

Upcoming Guest

Faith Ford is a recipient of five Emmy Award nominations and two Golden Globe Award nominations for her eleven-season portrayal of reporter ‘Corky Sherwood’ on the CBS series “Murphy Brown.”  She also starred in the ABC hit comedy series “Hope & Faith” with Kelly Ripa for three seasons, and later on “Norm” opposite Norm Mc Donald and Laurie Metcalf.   In addition to her highly successful acting career, Ford made her writing debut in 2004 with…

The Most Important Thing in Life is Family
by Gil Vieira

vSportsTalk - By Gil Vieira

For those of you who read my blog, you know that I, fortunately, come from a very close and loving family. My Mom and Dad grew up in the same neighborhood, married at a young age (when my dad returned home from WWII), owned businesses in town, and became very well-known and respected in our community. Over the years, many friends of my brother and I considered our parents their second parents. Often, friends would…

Mick and Mook Discuss a Variety of Topics, Including the MLB Playoffs with Former Umpire Cowboy Joe West

Upcoming Guest

Mick and Mook will discuss a variety of topics in next week’s (October 5) episode, including: The Royal Family, Netflix, Former President Trump burying Ivana on a golf course, Bill Maher, Quaaludes, and a lot more. Plus, they’ll introduce a new segment on the show, which will feature future Hall of Fame Baseball umpire Joe West talking about the upcoming baseball playoffs. Joe will also discuss the new rules for the 2023 MLB season. So,…