Famous and Gravy &#8211; Wondery | 14th Street Studios

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Rebel Rebel (David Bowie) Jul 24, 2024

Show notes

This person died 2016 at age 69. He suffered a blow in a teenage brawl that caused his left pupil to be permanently dilated. He experimented with startling transformations, often playing up an androgynous image. In the 1980s he had a Broadway run in the demanding title role of “The Elephant Man”. Nirvana chose to sing one of his songs in their legendary brief set on “MTV Unplugged” in 1993. He was the Thin White Duke, Aladdin Sane, Major Tom, and Ziggy Stardust. Today’s dead celebrity is David Bowie.

This episode originally published March 8, 2023.

Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Jacob Weiss. Visit our website at famousandgravy.com and also enjoy our free mobile quiz game at deadoraliveapp.com

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 66 “Let’s Get Metaphysical” (Olivia Newton-John) and Episode 32 “Hot Stuff” (Donna Summer)

LINKS:

New York Times Obituary for David Bowie

17-year old David interviewed about Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired Men

Infamous Bowie Interview on Dick Cavett show in 1974

Bowie as musical guest on SNL in 1979

“Iman on LIfe with David Bowie” in Vanity Fair

Will Ferrell and John C Reilly play David Bowie and Bing Crosby

David Bowie scene on ‘Extras’ with Ricky Gervais

“Did David Bowie Say He Supports Fascism” article on Snopes

David Bowie predicted impact of the internet in 1999 BBC interview

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In this installment of Famous & Gravy, we explore the complex life of David Bowie as part of a famous lives reframed and known for dead celebrity podcast, with attention to narrative framing, persona shifts, and media influence. Through reflection and structure, the episode reveals how fame evolves after death. This celebrity podcast explores celebrity obituary podcast and contributes to rethinking celebrity legacies.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dimpled Ambassador (Shirley Temple) Jul 10, 2024

Show notes

This person died in 2014 at age 85. In the 1930s, she was a determined child actress who sang and tap-danced her way to the height of Hollywood stardom. For at least 5 consecutive years, she was the most popular movie star in America. She was appointed as a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly by Richard Nixon. In 1972, she held a news conference in her hospital room after her mastectomy, encouraging women discovering breast lumps to not be afraid. She was the United States ambassador to Ghana from 1974 to 1976, and to Czechoslovakia from 1989 to 1992. Today’s dead celebrity is Shirley Temple Black.

LINKS:

New York Times Obituary for Shirley Temple Black

Classic Shirley Temple scene “On The Good Ship Lollipop”

“The Child Star Who Wasn’t a Cautionary Tale” from The Atlantic

Shirley Temple Black on Larry King Live

How to Make a Shirley Temple drink

Famous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter

New York Times Obituary for Bob Einstein

In this installment of Famous & Gravy, we explore the complex life of Shirley Temple as part of a famous lives reframed and known for legacy podcast, via exploration of public roles, mythmaking, and generational appeal. Through reflection and structure, the episode reveals how fame evolves after death. This celebrity podcast explores dead celebrity podcast and contributes to smart pop culture podcast.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Super Funkhouser (Bob Einstein) Jun 26, 2024

Show notes

This person died in 2019, age 76. In 1958 when he was 14, his father died immediately after performing a roast for Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. His dry delivery piqued the interest of Tom Smothers, who offered him a job in the late 1960s as a writer on the “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.” He was roommates with Steve Martin for a number of years, and his younger brother is the renowned comedian and filmmaker Albert Brooks. His most famous and long-lived character was a witless, deadpan parody of bravado-fueled stuntmen like Evel Knievel. Recently, he starred as Marty Funkhouser on “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Today’s dead celebrity is Bob Einstein.

This episode originally published December 14, 2022.

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 75 “Love and OJ Jokes” (Norm Macdonald) and Episode 58 “Best in Show” (Fred Willard)

LINKS:

Transcript of this episode

Super Dave Osborne King of the Road video

Super Dave Bungee Jump video

Scene in Modern Romance with Bob Einstein and Albert Brooks

“Super Dave, In Memoriam” article in The Yorker

“Mourning Marty Funkhouser” article in The Ringer

Bob Einstein Official Website

The Super Bob Einstein Movie HBO Documentary

Famous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter

In this episode, Famous & Gravy reframes Bob Einstein's story through the lens of mortality and cultural memory as part of a life lessons from celebrities and known for obituary-based storytelling, through themes of identity, perception, and lasting influence. This entry frames legacy not as a fixed point, but as an ongoing negotiation. This show explores smart pop culture podcast and contributes to legacy podcast.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Likable Villain (Alan Rickman) Jun 12, 2024

Show notes

This person died in 2016 at age 69. In an acting career spanning more than 40 years, he played a panoply of fascinating characters. He had his early successes in stage works involving the Royal Shakespeare Company. Though he was never nominated for an Academy Award, he won many accolades, but shrugged off the value of awards in general. He gained a worldwide audience in “Die Hard,” playing Hans Gruber, the devious, well-spoken terrorist who took over the fictional Nakatomi Plaza. More recently, he played the notorious professor Severus Snape in the “Harry Potter” series. Today’s dead celebrity is Alan Rickman.

This episode originally published November 2, 2022.

Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne.This episode was produced by Jacob Weiss. Visit our website at famousandgravy.com and also enjoy our free mobile quiz game at deadoraliveapp.com

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 55 “Pure Imagination” (Gene Wilder) and Episode 44 “Inner Soprano” (James Gandolfini)

LINKS:

New York Times obituary for Alan Rickman

Emma Thompson tribute to Alan Rickman

Kevin Smith tribute to Alan Rickman

Hans Gruber fall in Die Hard

Alan Rickman’s voicemail bit on Family Guy

Alan Rickman takes Jimmy Fallon to task

Alan Rickman behind the scenes of Harry Potter as Snape

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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Purple Reign (Prince) May 29, 2024

Show notes

This person died in 2016 at age 57. He won an Academy Award in 1985, and a Webby Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. He was still a teenager when he was signed to Warner Bros Records, in a deal that included full creative control. His work inspired the formation of the Parents’ Music Resource Center, which pressured record companies into labeling albums to warn of explicit content. In 1993 he changed his stage name to an unpronounceable glyph, and for a while he was referred to as “The Artist Formerly Known As”. His chart-topping hits included “Let’s Go Crazy”, “When Doves Cry”, and “Purple Rain”. Today’s dead celebrity is Prince.

Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Megan Palmer, and features guest co-host Nichelle Carr. Visit our website at famousandgravy.com and also enjoy our free mobile quiz game at deadoraliveapp.com

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 45 “Rebel Rebel” (David Bowie) and Episode 21 “Florida Man” (Tom Petty)

LINKS:

New York Times Obituary for Prince

Charlie Murphy’s True Hollywood Stories on Chappelle Show

Dick Clark interviews Prince on American Bandstand in 1980

Chris Rock interviews Prince in 1997

Prince’s performance at the 2004 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Black Women of Amherst College podcast series

Famous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter

In this installment of Famous & Gravy, we explore the complex life of Prince as part of a what makes a life worth remembering and known for obituary-based storytelling, by examining professional highs, private struggles, and symbolic impact. Through reflection and structure, the episode reveals how fame evolves after death. This show explores legacy podcast and contributes to biographies from a different point of view.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hungarian Socialite (Zsa Zsa Gabor) May 15, 2024

Show notes

This person died in 2016 at age 99. She appeared as a nightclub manager in Orson Welles’ 1958 “Touch of Evil”, and the same year as a sexy alien in “Queen of Outer Space”. She appeared on scores of talk shows, game shows, comedy specials, and episodic dramas. In 1989, she was arrested for slapping a police officer. She was married at least eight times, and called everyone “Dahlink.” Today’s dead celebrity is Zsa Zsa Gabor.

This episode originally published June 15, 2022.

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 66 “Let’s Get Metaphysical” (Olivia Newton-John) and Episode 55 “Sleepless Sally” (Nora Ephron)

LINKS:

New York Times Obituary for Zsa Zsa Gabor

“Why I wish I married Zsa Zsa Gabor” from The Guardian

Life Advice Straight From Zsa Zsa Gabor's Book

“Judge Slaps Zsa Zsa with 3 days in jail” from LA Times

Famous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter

In reflecting on the life of Zsa Zsa Gabor, this episode of Famous & Gravy examines how fame and mortality intersect as part of a biographies from a different point of view and known for legacy podcast, by analyzing contradictions, legacy-building, and public image. This episode offers a layered look at how we remember — and reinterpret — famous lives. This show explores smart pop culture podcast and contributes to dead celebrity podcast.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Poetic Justice (Maya Angelou) May 01, 2024

Show notes

This person died in 2014 at age 86. She was a Tony-nominated stage actress, and a calypso dancer for a period of time. In 2011 she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She was a college professor and a ubiquitous presence on the lecture circuit, and also made several appearances on Sesame Street. Throughout her writing, she explored the concepts of personal identity and resilience through the multifaceted lens of race, sex, family, community and the collective past. In 1969 she published her landmark book, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”. Today’s dead celebrity is Maya Angelou.

This episode originally published February 8, 2023.

Listen to the Sound Judgment podcast in which Michael and Amit discuss this Maya Angelou episode

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 71 “Defiant One” (Sidney Poitier) and Episode 61 “Dame Detective” (Angela Lansbury)

LINKS:

New York Times Obituary for Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou’s poem at the 1993 inauguration

Tracy Morgan’s impersonation of Angelou’s Hallmark Cards on SNL

Maya Angelou for Froot Loops on SNL performed by David Alan Grier

Maya Angelou’s Life in Photos in the New Yorker

“And I Still Rise” Documentary on Maya Angelou

Famous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter

This Famous & Gravy episode uses structured conversation to reflect on Maya Angelou's enduring narrative as part of a smart pop culture podcast and known for legacy podcast, via exploration of public roles, mythmaking, and generational appeal. The episode examines how storytelling shapes memory and identity in public figures. This legacy podcast explores famous lives reframed and contributes to what makes a life worth remembering.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Love and OJ Jokes (Norm Macdonald) Apr 17, 2024

Show notes

This person died in 2021 at age 61. He almost joined the newspaper business as a young man, but deliberately botched an interview. By 1984, he spent four months opening for the comedian Sam Kinison. His sense of humor sometimes got him in hot water. A 2018 article about him said “The dedicated fan will identify two patterns in his television work: It is invariably funny, and it is invariably canceled.” He became familiar to millions as the Weekend Update anchor on “Saturday Night Live” from 1994 to 1998. Today’s dead celebrity is Norm Macdonald.

This episode originally published March 22, 2023

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 69 “Foul House” (Bob Saget) and Episode 53 “Heartwarming Humor” (Louie Anderson)

LINKS:

New York Times Obituary for Norm Macdonald

“Norm Macdonald” was the real thing from The New Yorker

Trailer for Norm Macdonald’s posthumous Netflix special

Norm Macdonald returns to SNL as Host

Norm’s appearance on “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” explained

Norm’s “moth” joke on Conan

Norm Macdonald lists his Santa Monica condo for sale

Marc Maron interviews Norm Macdonald on WTF

“Norm Macdonald Live” video podcast

Famous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter

As part of Famous & Gravy, this episode revisits the legacy of Norm Macdonald as part of a rethinking celebrity legacies and known for smart pop culture podcast, tracing the impact of acclaim, adversity, and legacy construction. It reflects on the interplay between public memory and personal truth. This legacy podcast explores famous lives reframed and contributes to what makes a life worth remembering.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Masterclass Act (Philip Seymour Hoffman) Apr 03, 2024

Show notes

This person died in 2014 at age 46. His mother was a former family court judge, and his father worked for the Xerox corporation. The New York Times once said “He does terminal uncertainty better than practically anyone.” He was a sleepy-looking man with uncombed hair who favored rumpled clothes. He was perhaps the most ambitious and widely admired American actor of his generation. He earned Oscar nominations for his performances in “The Master”, “Doubt”, and “Charlie Wilson’s War”, and won as Best Actor for “Capote” in 2005. Today’s dead celebrity is Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Megan Palmer, and features guest co-host Michael Warburton. Visit our website at famousandgravy.com and also enjoy our free mobile quiz game at deadoraliveapp.com

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 71 “Defiant One” (Sidney Poitier) and Episode 44 “Inner Soprano” (James Gandolfini)

LINKS:

New York Times Obituary for Philip Seymour Hoffman

Mimi O’Donnell’s Vogue article

Philip Seymour Hoffman on Charlie Rose in 2002

Top 10 Philip Seymour Hoffman performances

Bill Burr on Philip Seymour Hoffman

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