Mike Connors and The Golden Rule
Original Airdates: Aug. 9-12, 2024
TVC 657.1: Ed welcomes Bill Taylor, author of Mike Connors: A Life of Integrity in Film and Television, an in-depth biography of actor Mike Connors, from his humble upbringing in Fresno, California to the circumstances that led him to be discovered by film director William Wellman while playing basketball at UCLA, to the drive and intensity that Connors brought to his acting career, to his passion and genuine interest in people that was part of Connors’ makeup, on and off camera, to the pivotal role that Lucille Ball played in getting Mannix on the air and changing the course of Connors’ life. Topics this segment include the story of how a chance meeting with an optometrist set into motion the events that brought Bill into Connors’ life and eventually becoming his biographer; the various hardships that Connors overcame in his formative years; and how Connors learned from his father the importance of living by The Golden Rule. Mike Connors: A Life of Integrity in Film and Television is available right now from our friends at BearManor Media.
Mike Connors and the stunt artists of Mannix
Original Airdates: Aug. 9-12, 2024
TVC 657.2: Bill Taylor, author of Mike Connors: A Life of Integrity in Film and Television, talks to Ed about how closely Connors worked with stunt coordinators Charles Picerni and Dick Ziker on planning and performing the various stunts every week on Mannix, and how Connors performed as much as his own stunts as safety would allow so that it appeared as authentic as possible. Also in this segment: The back story of the famous opening title sequence of Mannix. Mike Connors: A Life of Integrity in Film and Television is available right now from our friends at BearManor Media.
Mike Connors circa 1964 photo courtesy TVInsider.com
The Accessibility of Mike Connors
Original Airdates: Aug. 9-12, 2024
TVC 657.3: Bill Taylor, author of Mike Connors: A Life of Integrity in Film and Television, talks to Ed about how both Mannix and Tightrope were canceled not because of ratings, but because of other factors decided by network executives; how Connors always made himself available to his fans; and the grace with which he always treated his fellow actors. Mike Connors: A Life of Integrity in Film and Television is available right now from our friends at BearManor Media.
