Tag Archives: Tai Babilonia

Louis Gossett Jr, Oscar Winner, “An Officer and a Gentleman”—Guest 07/02/2015

Entertainment, Interview, Talk, , , , , ,
Louis Gossett, Jr
Louis Gossett, Jr

For this week’s Ken Boxer Live episode we have as our guest a truly great American actor—Academy Award winner Louis Gossett, Jr. The breadth of his talent is wide, which includes film, television, and theatre. But many of us remember him best from his Academy Award-winning— and spectacularly convincing—role as Gunnery Sergeant Foley in the 1982 film An Officer and a Gentleman, and from his Emmy Award-winning roll in the ABC television miniseries Roots.

Although the year 1982, when An Officer and a Gentleman hit the screen, is relatively recent, and especially today after the normalcy of seven years of an African-American president, it’s somewhat amazing to consider that when Gossett won his Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, he was the first African-American to do so.

Louis Gossett Jr,
“An Officer and a Gentleman”

Gossett had his stage debut at 17 in a school play after a sports injury had spurred his decision to take his first acting class. Later while attending New York University, Gossett, standing at 6’4″, declined an athletic scholarship offered him to play varsity basketball so that he could concentrate fully on theatre.

This great actor will sit with us for a full 30-minute interview, and we cannot be more pleased. So join Ken and Tai for what will surely be an exciting and informative show.

To read more of Gossett’s biography, please visit his Wikipedia Page.

We have limited seating available for audience members. If you would like complimentary tickets to our in-studio broadcast at the TVSB studios in Santa Barbara, please click here. This show tapes on Monday, June 29th. Audience members generally arrive by 6:30 pm and take their seats at 6:45 pm.

(This episode first airs Thursday, 07/02/2015, 10:00 PM, on TVSB-17, and is replayed numerous times throughout the following 14 days. You will find a complete schedule of times here. Additionally, a YouTube link to this episode, available about 24 hours before original airtime, will display immediately below.)

Brandon Cruz, Played Eddie Corbett on “The Courtship of Eddie’s Father”—Guest 02/12/2015

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Brandon Cruz
Brandon Cruz

Our upcoming guest is actor Brandon Cruz, best known for his role as Eddie Corbett in the early ’70s comedy television series “The Courtship of Eddie’s Father.” In addition to his acting career, Cruz is also a punk rock musician. We’re thrilled to welcome him to Ken Boxer Live.

Cruz won his breakthrough role in The Courtship of Eddie’s Father at age five, bonding with his television father, Bill Bixby, with whom he co-starred.  Later Cruz would say that “Bixby was like my second father.” After Courtship, Cruz made numerous guest appearances in television shows, including The Incredible Hulk, which reunited him with Bixby. Cruz also played the role of Joey Turner, the Yankees pitcher, in the 1976 movie The Bad News Bears.

Bill Bixby & Brandon Cruz
Bill Bixby & Brandon Cruz

During the 1980s Cruz turned his attention to music, performing with a hardcore punk band Dr. Know.  Since April, 2013, Cruz has been working in the drug and alcohol rehabilitation field in Southern California.

Ken and Tai are eagerly looking forward to meeting and interviewing Cruz. Please join us for this most memorable episode.

We have limited seating available for audience members. If you would like free tickets to our in-studio broadcast at the TVSB studios in Santa Barbara, please click here. This show tapes on Monday, February 9th. Audience members generally arrive by 6:30 pm and take their seats at 6:45 pm.

(This episode first airs Thursday, 02/12/2015, 10:00 PM, on TVSB-17, and is replayed numerous times throughout the following 14 days. You will find a complete schedule of times here. Additionally, a YouTube link to this episode, available about 24 hours before original airtime, will display immediately below.)

Tony Dow, Played Wally Cleaver on “Leave it to Beaver from ’57 through ’63–Guest 1/29/2015

Entertainment, Interview, Talk, , , , ,
Tony Dow
Tony Dow

The Cleavers–Beaver, Wally, June, and Ward–a typical late ’50s, early ’60s American family from the Leave it to Beaver television show of that period, with whom many of us grew up, have seemed always a part of us. During Leave it to Beaver’s six-year run, those growing up during that time related fully to the antics and the mischief of the Beaver (played by  recent KBL guest Jerry Mathers) and Wally, the elder brother, played by our current guest, Tony Dow.

And when the boys’ troubles ebbed just to the point of disaster, we knew to expect loving, sagely, parental intervention from Ward and June, the parents, injecting just the right wisdom not only to help save the day but to instill in the lads valuable lessons about life and values.

Yes, those were simpler times! Although the show ended production in 1963, it has never left television. Multiple generations since have grown up with the Cleavers, a result of a never-ending demand for the show’s syndication. But we at Ken Boxer Live will take it to an even more intimate level–no syndication required. We have as our in-studio guest  the legendary Tony Dow himself.

Tony Dow and Jerry Mathers, 1959
Tony Dow and Jerry Mathers, 1959

After Leave it to Beaver Dow appeared on many other television shows, such as My Three Sons, Dr. Kildare, and Mr. Novak.  During the ’70s while continuing acting, he worked in the construction business and studied journalism and filmmaking. Apart from these endeavors Dow has also become a serious and respected sculptor. You can visit Dow’s website to see examples of his work and more biographical information.

Ken and Tai are looking forward to discussing all these subjects, and more, during Tony Dow’s greatly anticipated appearance with us. We look forward to your joining us.

We have limited seating available for audience members. If you would like free tickets to our in-studio broadcast at the TVSB studios in Santa Barbara, please click here. This show tapes on Monday, January 26th. Audience members generally arrive by 6:30 pm and take their seats at 6:45 pm.

(This episode first airs Thursday, 01/29/2015, 10:00 PM, on TVSB-17, and is replayed numerous times throughout the following 14 days. You will find a complete schedule of times here. Additionally, a YouTube link to this episode, available about 24 hours before original airtime, will display immediately below.)

Rafer Johnson, Two-Time Olympic Gold and Silver Decathlon Medalist–Guest 1/15/2015

Entertainment, Interview, Talk, , , , ,
Rafer Johnson
Rafer Johnson

We are proud and honored to have the legendary Rafer Johnson as our guest this week.  As you are likely aware, Johnson is an American former decathlete and occasional actor. He was the 1960 Olympic decathlon gold medalist after receiving the silver medal four years earlier at the 1956 games. Additionally, he was the 1960 Olympics flag bearer, and he lit the Olympic Flame at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

Many today also remember Johnson’s heroic actions during the moments immediately after Robert F. Kennedy’s 1968 assassination, where he along with Rosey Grier, both who happened to be in the vicinity at that moment, tackled the assailant, Sirhan Sirhan.

Rafer Johnson - 1960
Rafer Johnson – 1960

After the Olympics, Johnson turned his celebrity into acting, sportscasting, and public service. For instance, he was instrumental in helping to create the California Special Olympics. For further biographical information, please see Johnson’s Wikipedia page.

This promises to be an exciting show. Both Ken and Tai look forward to this most special interview.

We have limited seating available for audience members. If you would like free tickets to our in-studio broadcast at the TVSB studios in Santa Barbara, please click here. This show tapes on Monday, January 12th. Audience members generally arrive by 6:30 pm and take their seats at 6:45 pm.

(This episode first airs Thursday, 01/15/2015, 10:00 PM, on TVSB-17, and is replayed numerous times throughout the following 14 days. You will find a complete schedule of times here. Additionally, a YouTube link to this episode, available about 24 hours before original airtime, will  display immediately below.)

Randy Gardner, Two-Time Olympian & World Champion Figure Skater–Guest 12/04/2014

Entertainment, Interview, Talk, , , , , , ,
Randy Gardner
Randy Gardner

For this episode we have a singularly exceptional guest–Randy Gardner, the former champion pair skater. Together with his long-time skating partner Tai Babilonia (who, as you know, happens to be our permanent KBL co-host), he won the 1979 World Figure Skating Championships and five U.S Figure Skating Championships from 1976 through 1980. Additionally, the duo qualified for the 1976 and 1980 Winter Olympics.

Tai and Randy began skating together when Tai was eight and Randy was ten. They became five-time U.S. national champions and won the gold medal at the 1979 World Championships. They were favorites to win a medal at the 1980 Winter Olympics but, tragically, were forced to withdraw, a result of a show-stopping injury to Randy.

Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner
Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner

Considering all the events Tai and Randy have shared throughout their professional lives–from their pre-teen years, through adolescents, and later young adulthood–this interview will have a bottomless well of possible directions.  And we plan to take you there.

Although Tai and Randy no longer professionally skate together, they will always remain tethered together, eternally skating  the magic they perfected, both within our collective memories and surely within our collective hearts. Expect a very memorable and poignant interview.

In place of our regular 30-minute interview format, in honor of this very special occasion–having Randy and Tai together–we will produce two 30-minute episodes. Please check our showtimes menu for scheduling details.

We have limited seating available for audience members. If you would like free tickets to our in-studio broadcast at the TVSB studios in Santa Barbara, please click here. This show tapes on Monday, December 1st. Audience members generally arrive by 6:30 pm and take their seats at 6:45 pm.

(This episode first airs Thursday, 12/04/2014, 10:00 PM, on TVSB-17, and is replayed numerous times throughout the following 14 days. You will find a complete schedule of times here. Additionally, a YouTube link to this episode, available about 24 hours before original airtime, will  display immediately below.)

Tai Babilonia, World Champion Pair Skater – Guest 03/27/2014)

Entertainment, Talk, , , , , , , , ,
Tai Babilonia
Tai Babilonia

Our next guest on Ken Boxer Live is considered one of the greatest ice skaters of all time. We are delighted and fortunate to have the very lovely and talented Tai Babilonia joining us. Tai, along with her life-long skating partner Randy Gardner, achieved many sports awards during their competitive period. You may read her biography here.

Tai’s competitive  highlights include:

  • Youngest pair team to represent the U.S. at the World Championships
  • Five consecutive U.S. Senior Pairs titles
  • 1979 World Figure Skating Champions – first Americans to do so in 29 years, upsetting a fourteen year Soviet domination, which has never been repeated to this day
  • Two-time Olympians, heavily favored in 1980 to win the Gold but had to withdraw due to an injury sustained by her partner Randy Gardner
Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner
Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner

Currently Tai is extremely busy with her new line of chocolates, Tai Treats.  Check it out here…very impressive: http://thecandyfactoryla.com/

I guarantee this is a show you will NOT want to miss! Tai Babilonia, live on Ken Boxer Live. 

To join us as an in-studio audience member during live production, please click here.

(This episode first airs Thursday, 03/27/2014, 10:00 PM, on TVSB-17, and is replayed numerous times throughout the following 14 days. You will find a complete schedule of times here. Additionally, a YouTube link to this episode, available about 24 hours before original airtime, will  display immediately below.)