Remembering Elvis, The King, and Two Iconic Songs
By Gil Vieira

vSportsTalk - By Gil Vieira

With January ending, I thought it would be apropos to reminisce about two American icons, both born in the month of January…Elvis Presley, the King of Rock ‘n Roll (born 1/8/35), and Civil Rights Leader, Dr. Martin Luther King (born 1/15/29). You might be surprised to learn of their relationship and that one of Elvis’ great songs and performances was dedicated to MLK. As the years fly by, I’m increasingly appreciative to have grown up…

Brady’s Last Pass?
by Roy Firestone,
Emmy Award Winning Sports Journalist

Up Close with Roy Firestone

Did Tom Brady just throw his last pass? Only he will tell us…and only he should. 10 Super Bowl performances. 7 wins. 5 Super Bowl MVPs. 3 League MVPs. 15 Pro Bowls. Record for most regular season starts and wins. Most passes. Most completions. Most TD’s. Oldest player to ever win MVP (40 years old). He’s the only player to beat all 32 NFL teams. He’s the best…ever. Nothing to prove. Nothing to come back…

Warner Bros TV Vice President, Tony Sepulveda, Joins M&M 1/25

Upcoming Guest

Tony Sepulveda is the Senior Vice President of Casting at Warner Bros Television. During his 28-year stint at WBTV, he has been the casting director on such shows as “Family Matters,” “Knots Landing,” “Friends,” and “The West Wing.” He has three Emmy nominations. Born in Santa Rosa, California, Tony graduated from UCLA, where he originally studied to be an actor. Here’s Tony’s first-hand look back at how his career path changed: “I went to UCLA…

Playing Team Sports Helps Build Character
by Gil Vieira

vSportsTalk - By Gil Vieira

As I watched the recent horrific happening on Monday Night Football regarding Bills’ player Damar Hamlin, I was touched by the two emotions that evolved during that life-or-death situation. They were emotions that I also experienced while watching…both heartbreaking and heartwarming moments. The way Damar went down and the immediate reaction of the players, one knew this was a serious issue. It was heartbreaking to watch. However, as time elapsed, it also became heartwarming watching…

Sportscaster Tony Hernandez Join Mick & Mook on 1/18

Upcoming Guest

For 40 years, Tony Hernandez was a mainstay on the sports television screens for his work in San Francisco, WCBS in New York City, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. Tony also pioneered LA Dodgers play by play on cable television in their World Championship year of 1988. Now retired and living in Montana, Tony has authored a marvelous book, ‘ALWAYS TURN DOWN THE FIRST OFFER.” The book recounts his days with the likes of Reggie Jackson,…

Drink a Toast to Innocence
by Roy Firestone

Up Close with Roy Firestone

I’m a very sentimental person. Always have been. Always will be. New Year’s Eve is often a wistful time, not a raucous time for me. I can’t wait for a better year next year, but aside from the song “Auld Lang Syne”, which is a Scots-language poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song, we have very few, if any, memorable New Year’s Eve songs. But…

Jan 11 – Lacretta: Co-star in the revival of NBC’s iconic series, NIGHT COURT.

Upcoming Guest

Lacretta may prove to be the breakout star of the 2023 television season for her role as Gurgs in the revival of the iconic NBC series Night Court. You may ask yourself – where has she been hiding? The answer to that question is she had been working on her craft in opera, Broadway, and Musical Theatre, nationwide. Now that you have found her, you will never forget her. The Mick and The Mook are…

The Demise of a Dynasty
by Gil Vieira

vSportsTalk - By Gil Vieira

Born and raised just south of Boston, I’ve been fortunate to see three of the greatest pro sports dynasties ever in person – the Boston Celtics, New York Yankees, and New England Patriots. From Bill Russell’s Celtics of the 50s-60s and Larry Bird’s Cs of the 80’s…to the Mickey Mantle led Yankees of the 50’s and early 60’s and Jeter’s Yanks of the 90s, I was blessed to see all those great teams in person.…

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…