CW: Discussion of Suicide/Self-Harm, Substance Abuse
For millions of people, Robin Williams will live forever as “Oh Captain, My Captain” and the beloved Genie in “Aladdin.”
But the comic genius who rose to meteoric fame after being cast as the charming alien Mork in “Mork and Mindy” and starred in blockbusters like “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Jumanji” tragically died in 2014 of asphyxiation caused by hanging. He was only 63.
And it was only after Robin’s autopsy that the truth emerged. This talented, beloved actor and comedian who was known for his manic humor and quick wit had actually been suffering from the devastating effects of Lewy Body Disease, misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s. Many, including his wife Susan, feel that an accurate diagnosis could have offered Robin a chance at more specialized treatment and perhaps even more importantly, peace.
Join us as we discuss the life and legacy of the legendary Robin Williams, including his unwitting battle with a silent killer.
Special thanks to Jennifer Gries for our listener shout-out!
#RobinWilliams #LewyBodyDementia #ABendInTheRoad
Show Notes for Episode 71!
USA TodayVanity FairUSA TodayUSA TodayVanity FairUSA TodayUSA TodayCopyright Arthur GraceUSA TodayRobin with Lance Armstrong USA Today Vanity Fair
Today Vincent Van Gogh is one of the world’s most revered artists, with one of his paintings selling in 1990 for $82.5 million.
But Vincent’s life was one of struggle… struggle to decide his career path, to perfect his painting techniques, to find love, to make a name for himself as an artist, and most of all, to feel in control of his mental health.
In this very special episode, we experience Vincent Van Gogh as never before: through a field trip to the Van Gogh Exhibition: The Immersive Experience, research into his life and relationships, and insights shared first-hand by the legendary Don McLean, the award-winning singer and songwriter behind the song “Vincent,” known to many as “Starry, Starry Night.”
Listen at scandalwaterpodcast.com or find the episode dropped in the comments below. This haunting tribute to Vincent Van Gogh, with a special audio message from Don McLean, is one you won’t want to miss.
Photo Credits: Quick Facts: Biography.com; Vincent van Gogh at age 19, 1873. Wikimedia Commons (public domain); His Brother – Left: Theo van Gogh, 1873. Wikimedia Commons (public domain). Right: Theo van Gogh, aged 32. Photograph: Woodbury & Page, Amsterdam, Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation); Vincent van Gogh Self-Portrait Painting Courtesy Musée d’Orsay via Wikimedia Commons; Sunflowers painting- Vincent Van Gogh Museum website; The Starry Night – Museum of Modern Art website; Don McLean Images – Courtesy of 2911 Media
The video Ashley watched that inspired her to try and contact Don McLean
Images from the Van Gogh Immersive Experience in Louisville, KY
Video from the Van Gogh Immersive Experience in Louisville, KY
A brief sample of the Immersive Experience
Images from the Biltmore Van Gogh Experience (for comparison)
Video of the Biltmore Van Gogh Experience
The Biltmore Van Gogh Experience
Bonus Images:
The painting Rebecca talks about within the episode. On the left is an image of Van Gogh’s original 1888 oil painting, and on the right is her (unfinished) attempt at duplicating his work. Below are more samples of Rebecca’s previous work.
“A bend in the road is not the end of the road…Unless you fail to make the turn.” ~Helen Keller
Most of us know Helen Keller as the deaf-blind woman who was able to break out of her “double dungeon of darkness and silence” through the teaching and determination of young Anne Sullivan, who herself struggled with partial blindness. But less well-known are other fascinating details about Helen Keller… and the equally admirable teacher who dedicated her life to supporting Helen’s dreams.
Once referred to by Winston Churchhill as “the greatest woman of our age,” Helen Keller’s story extends far beyond what we see in the classic play and film, “The Miracle Worker.”
From her breakthrough with language at the well, to her friendship with Alexander Graham Bell and Mark Twain, to her work as an advocate for social change, to the accusations of fraud, Candy and Ashley discuss how Helen was able to navigate the many “bends in the road” she encountered with strength and conviction. Special Thanks to Kennedy Brown and Laura Adams MID-ROLL AD: If you’d like to support our podcast, please visit:www.BuyMeACoffee.com/ScandalWaterPod #HelenKeller #AnnieSullivan #TheMiracleWorker #ABendInTheRoad #Stage #Film
Show Notes for Episode 69!
Photo Credits: Top Row L to R: Portrait of Helen Keller as a young girl, with a white dog on her lap (August 1887) Source: American Foundation for the Blind website; Anne Sullivan Source: Perkins School for the Blind; Wikipedia – Helen Keller in 1899 with lifelong companion and teacher Anne Sullivan. Photo was taken by Alexander Graham Bell at his School of Vocal Physiology and Mechanics of Speech.
Far left column/Top to bottom: Helen Keller Foundation website; Helen Keller and Alexander Graham Bell (Getty Images); Helen Keller with Eisenhower, Helen Keller Foundation website
Right column: Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke in The Miracle Worker, 1960 Source: Wikipedia
Bottom row: L to R: Wikipedia Helen Keller with Patty Duke, who portrayed Keller in both the play and film The Miracle Worker (1962). In a 1979 remake, Patty Duke played Anne Sullivan; Helen Keller Death Notice – New York Times
Below: Assortment of staged photos from The Theatre Downstream’s production of “The Miracle Worker” (2017) Directed by Laura Adams and featuring Ashley as Annie Sullivan, Candy as Kate Keller, Brian Douglas Barker as Capt. Keller, and Kennedy Brown as Helen Keller, along with William Carnal as James Keller and Courtney Willis as Aunt Ev – Photography by George Fabish
Candy & Ashley have recorded a new opening to this favorite episode from the 2021 Scandal Water archives including details of the recent visit Ashley & Brian made to the Behringer-Crawford Museum to tour their traveling exhibit featuring costumes from the film “White Christmas” on loan from the Rosemary Clooney House. Ashley recalls a few details from the bonus experience of getting to hear a talk from Heather French Henry(Miss America, 2000) speak about some trivia and little-known facts surrounding the costumes, and reveals a touching story about Heather French Henry’s motivation behind becoming the curator of the Rosemary Clooney House. Candy and Ashley then move on to their correction corner, where they set the record straight/offer their apologies about a few things they left out of the “Christmas Story Christmas” episode from two weeks ago! Finally, we end our 2022 with a special message from Heather French Henry herself! If you go: The “White Christmas” exhibit can still be viewed at the museum through January 8, 2023 and more details can be found on their website at: https://www.bcmuseum.org/2-uncategorised/403-opening-of-holly-jolly-days
The website for the Rosemary Clooney House can be found at: https://www.rosemaryclooney.org/ The original 2021 episode description read as follows: What’s the best-selling Christmas song of all time, as well as the best-selling single ever, according to the Guiness Book of World Records?
If you guessed “White Christmas,” you’d be right!
But here’s the harder question: Do you know the story of how that song originated, and the series of events that followed, ultimately resulting in one of the most beloved Christmas movies of all time? Or how that film eventually spawned a stage version of the work?
In this 2-part episode entitled “Still Dreaming of a White Christmas,” Candy and Ashley will discuss all this and much more! They hope you’ll spend some of your Christmas spilling the tea with them about this classic, feel-good story.
MID-ROLL AD: Matt C. Adams with Hired Hand Studios (MattHHS@gmail.com) #WhiteChristmas #RosemaryClooney #MissAmerica #HeatherFrenchHenry #BingCrosby #VeraEllen #DannyKaye
(New) Show Notes for Episode 68!
(previous sources found in Episodes 13 & 14)
Photos taken by Ashley at the Behringer-Crawford Museum during her visit to the “White Christmas” exhibit
In the early 1800s Christmas was not the festive holiday it is today. Queen Victoria and Charles Dickens helped change that. In fact, through Victoria’s influence on popular culture and Dickens’ literary reach, these two important figures helped create and spread many of the holiday traditions that we still follow today.
In this special holiday episode, Candy and Ashley (along with their husbands, Kirk and Brian) celebrate the Victorian Christmas, often referred to as the Dickens Christmas, with a field trip to the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum in Louisville, Kentucky.
Join the two couples as they share their reactions to a candlelight tour of this stunning historic home, including fascinating insights shared by tour guides and the director of the Conrad-Caldwell House. This is one holiday treat you won’t want to miss!
Charles Dickens, The New York TimesUNSPECIFIED – CIRCA 1754: Marley’s ghost appearing to Scrooge. Illustration for Charles DickenMarley’s ghost appearing to Scrooge. Illustration for Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” 19th century. Universal Images Group / Getty Imagess (1812-1870) A Christmas Carol, London 1843-1844 (Photo by Universal History Archive/Getty Images)Mr. Fezziwig’s Ball, Hand colored etching by John Leech from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, via Wikimedia CommonsA drawing of Victoria and Albert with their children, around a Christmas tree Source: BBC
Above is a gallery of images Ashley took while on the field trip to the Conrad-Caldwell House during the Candlelight Tour
If you immediately recognize this line, you might be one of the 40 million Americans who tune in every year for at least part of the 24-hour marathon of “A Christmas Story.” The 1983 film had a modest start, but over the decades has grown into one of the most popular Christmas movies of all time.
And now, nearly 40 years later, for the first time ever Peter Billingsley reprises his role of Ralphie in a sequel called “A Christmas Story Christmas.”
Join the fun as Ashley and Candy first revisit the original movie, sharing little-known facts about the beloved holiday classic, then their reactions after watching the sequel. We triple dog dare ya!
Photo Credits: Top 3 images from A Christmas Story Christmas (People Magazine); Middle Image: A Christmas Story House Interior; Bottom Images: L to R: A Christmas Story Christmas Film Poster (HBO Max); Adult Ralphie & wife Sandy (Parade); 4 boys at the window (Closer Weekly); Ad that inspired the Leg Lamp (Nehi Beverages); Melinda Dillon & Darren McGavin as Mother & The Old Man (MGM)
Judy Garland, perhaps best known for her moving performance as the red-slippered Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz,” would have turned 100 this year. But unfortunately, her life was cut short when she died in 1969 of an accidental barbiturate overdose. She was only 47.
One of Hollywood’s brightest stars and a singularly talented singer, Judy Garland might have seemed to have it all. Yet she was tortured by insecurity, pressure from her stage mother and the studio execs who controlled her career, depression, and a dependency on drugs and alcohol.
Join us as we discuss Judy’s early days as a child star given amphetamines for energy and weight control, her most notable successes as an actress and singer, her 5 marriages, her struggle with addiction and mental health challenges, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this look at the life and legend of the iconic Judy Garland.
MID-ROLL AD: Visit our Facebook page for our merchandise!
Photo Credits: Top 3 BW Images: The Gumm Sisters, Early Studio Headshot of Judy, a scene from “A Star is Born” – Getty Images/Biography.com Color Image of Judy Singing – Getty Images/Biography.com Wizard of Oz Image – MGM Wizard of Oz Poster & Group Photo – The Wizard of Oz Days Facebook page “Meet Me In St. Louis” Studio Still – MGM BW Image of Judy, Vincente, and Baby Liza Minnelli – The Herald Weekly
(Left) The Calendar image Ashley sent to Mickey, which he signed, and (Right) the 8×10 image he sent back (also signed). Both read, “To Ashley Peace Mickey Rooney” Below: Mickey’s namesake – Rooney the Cat
Can you picture the scene in the spooky abandoned house, Michael Jackson’s innocent date watching terrified as he and his zombie posse advance on her, the beat of “Thriller” pounding in the background? How about the beautiful girl being pulled into a comic book love story by the handsome lead singer in A-Ha’s “Take on Me” video? If so, then this is the episode for you!
Today’s MTV looks nothing like the version that launched 41 years ago, at midnight on August 1, 1981. The concept was simple: Music videos and music content all day, every day. Yet the MTV cable channel has been credited with changing not only the music industry but also the culture and identity of an entire generation.
Join us for this fun episode where Candy shares with Ashley the start of MTV and the story behind elements that are now iconic, such as the VJs, MTV logo, and the Moonman.
Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, and fun… which in this case means some personal recommendations from your friends at Scandal Water!
In hopes of adding some extra flavor to your holiday, this week Candy and Ashley surprise their listeners (and each other) by highlighting some of their favorite entertainment-related things.
The catch? They each had to create their list of items by using the 5 Ws: Who, What, When, Where, and Why.
Where can you find this fun episode? View the recording on our Scandal Water Podcast youtube channel or listen at scandalwaterpodcast.com!
NOTE: Neither Candy nor Ashley were paid for any of the recommendations.
The Read House – Photo courtesy of CandyThe Read House – Photo courtesy of CandyThe Read House – Photo courtesy of CandyThe Read House – Photo courtesy of CandyThe Read House – Photo courtesy of Candy
For many Americans, the name Eliot Ness conjures up images of a young Kevin Costner in 1987’s film “The Untouchables,” or perhaps Robert Stack’s version from a few decades earlier. Our younger listeners may not recognize the name at all.
But for a time, Eliot Ness was legendary, famously taking on Al Capone and the Chicago mob, leading daring raids as a Prohibition agent, cleaning up the Cleveland police department, and generally solidifying his reputation as an American hero. Until that is, it all ended.
Join us for this fascinating conversation with Douglas Perry, author of “Eliot Ness: The Rise and Fall of An American Hero.” From Eliot’s exploits as a Prohibition agent to his complicated relationship with women to the insecurities that plagued this man who is often depicted as being larger-than-life, we cover it all in this lively interview.
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