TMC
04-06-2025, 11:17 PM
...& John Rubenstein
KU-Eq4kbzSw
Family TV Cast Reunites: Rare Interview with Original Stars including Gary Frank, John Rubenstein. Elayne Heilveil. Louise Foley and FAMILY producer, Carroll Newman!
In this in-depth conversation John delves into the experiences of key cast members and the producer from FAMILY, exploring their relationships, challenges, and behind-the-scenes stories. Gary Frank and Elayne Heilveil recall their daily post-filming phone calls, while John Rubenstein reflects on his character's unpredictable arc and his role in composing the show's theme. Carroll Newman shares her concerns over character decisions, while Louise Foley reminisces about working alongside Kristy McNichol and heartthrob guest stars. The discussion touches on the careers of Meredith Baxter Birney, Michael J. Fox, and Tommy Lee Jones, along with fond memories, conflicts, and reflections on life after FAMILY. Thank you to all the FAMILY cast members, it was pure joy to interview you!
Hosted by John Cato, actor, voiceover artist, and moderator for over 20 years for the television and movie industry. John's background brings a unique insight and passion to the podcast.
00:00:00 Introduction
00:00:59 Gary Frank on the telephone conversations he and Elayne Heilveil had after each day of filming
00:05:36 Elayne talks about doing the audition for FAMILY because of Mike Nichols
00:09:44 John Rubenstein on the crazy direction his character went over the run of FAMILY and not wanting to sign a long term contract
00:13:03 John Rubenstein talks about how he wrote the theme for FAMILY
00:15:02 Carroll Newman talks about her dismay as the producer with having John Rubenstein's character play a drug dealer
00:16:02 Carroll Newman on working with Mike Nichols, Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg
00:18:11 Carroll talks about any conflict between her and her husband, Gary Frank on set
00:23:13 Louise talks about what she and Kristy McNichol got into off set
00:25:58 Louise Foley on the heartthrobs who guest starred on FAMILY like Leif Garrett
00:27:20 Elayne Heilveil on her special relationship with Sada Thompson
00:29:54 Elayne Heilveil talks about a very uncomfortable moment with a director on FAMILY
00:39:49 Gary Frank on his very close relationship to this day with Kristy McNichol
00:42:44 Carroll Newman on why Gary and Kristy formed such a bond
00:45:31 Louise Foley on Kristy McNichol
00:46:13 Louise Foley talks about the FAMILY episode; The Competition
00:48:26 John on growing up with his famous pianist father, Arthur Rubenstein and his opinion of John's music
00:53:15 John Rubenstein breaks down how the instruments in the music for FAMILY are based on each character in the cast
00:56:09 Gary looks back at the FAMILY episode "Willie's 21st Birthday"
01:01:34 Gary and John talk about working with Shelley Long
01:02:11 Different of girlfriends of Willie on FAMILY
01:03:53 Michael J. Fox on FAMILY
01:07:17 Tommy Lee Jones appearance on FAMILY
01:09:20 Elayne Heilveil on how she left FAMILY
01:12:00 Louise Foley talks about her audition for Audrey on FAMILY
01:14:38 Louise tells the story of how she was the original "Joanie" in the pilot of HAPPY DAYS
01:16:18 John Rubenstein on what it was like to come back on and off through different years of FAMILY
01:19:49 John Rubenstein tells a funny story about a difficult casting conflict between FAMILY and a film he had to fly out to be in
01:22:49 Elayne relates a story about how John Rubenstien met her at the Apple Pan restaurant by the TV studio after they shot the pilot
01:25:16 Gary Frank and Carroll Newman on why Quinn Cummings was brought on FAMILY
01:29:07 John Rubenstein talks about Meredith Baxter Birney
01:32:54 Elayne Heilveil and Carroll Newman on how the character of Nancy was written so the audience didn't like her
01:36:16 Funny story about the first time James Broderick met Meredith Baxter Birney on the FAMILY set
01:37:40 Gary Frank talks about his friendship with the other Nancy, Jane Actman
01:39:05 Carroll Newman talks about Meredith Baxter Birney not auditioning for Nancy
01:40:41 Difficult relationship between Meredith and her real life husband, David Birney
01:41:36 John Rubenstein on a difficult moment when he had to slap Meredith Baxter Birney in a scene and actually diid
01:44:22 Gary Frank specific fond memories he has of FAMILY
01:51:18 Gary Frank on what he is up to in the present time
01:52:10 Carroll Newman on what she is up to in the present time
01:52:55 Elayne Heilveil on what she is up to in the present time
01:54:39 John Rubenstein on what he is up to in the present time
01:57:31 Louise Foley on what she is up to in the present time
02:00:54 Favorite memories from each Family member
KU-Eq4kbzSw
Family TV Cast Reunites: Rare Interview with Original Stars including Gary Frank, John Rubenstein. Elayne Heilveil. Louise Foley and FAMILY producer, Carroll Newman!
In this in-depth conversation John delves into the experiences of key cast members and the producer from FAMILY, exploring their relationships, challenges, and behind-the-scenes stories. Gary Frank and Elayne Heilveil recall their daily post-filming phone calls, while John Rubenstein reflects on his character's unpredictable arc and his role in composing the show's theme. Carroll Newman shares her concerns over character decisions, while Louise Foley reminisces about working alongside Kristy McNichol and heartthrob guest stars. The discussion touches on the careers of Meredith Baxter Birney, Michael J. Fox, and Tommy Lee Jones, along with fond memories, conflicts, and reflections on life after FAMILY. Thank you to all the FAMILY cast members, it was pure joy to interview you!
Hosted by John Cato, actor, voiceover artist, and moderator for over 20 years for the television and movie industry. John's background brings a unique insight and passion to the podcast.
00:00:00 Introduction
00:00:59 Gary Frank on the telephone conversations he and Elayne Heilveil had after each day of filming
00:05:36 Elayne talks about doing the audition for FAMILY because of Mike Nichols
00:09:44 John Rubenstein on the crazy direction his character went over the run of FAMILY and not wanting to sign a long term contract
00:13:03 John Rubenstein talks about how he wrote the theme for FAMILY
00:15:02 Carroll Newman talks about her dismay as the producer with having John Rubenstein's character play a drug dealer
00:16:02 Carroll Newman on working with Mike Nichols, Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg
00:18:11 Carroll talks about any conflict between her and her husband, Gary Frank on set
00:23:13 Louise talks about what she and Kristy McNichol got into off set
00:25:58 Louise Foley on the heartthrobs who guest starred on FAMILY like Leif Garrett
00:27:20 Elayne Heilveil on her special relationship with Sada Thompson
00:29:54 Elayne Heilveil talks about a very uncomfortable moment with a director on FAMILY
00:39:49 Gary Frank on his very close relationship to this day with Kristy McNichol
00:42:44 Carroll Newman on why Gary and Kristy formed such a bond
00:45:31 Louise Foley on Kristy McNichol
00:46:13 Louise Foley talks about the FAMILY episode; The Competition
00:48:26 John on growing up with his famous pianist father, Arthur Rubenstein and his opinion of John's music
00:53:15 John Rubenstein breaks down how the instruments in the music for FAMILY are based on each character in the cast
00:56:09 Gary looks back at the FAMILY episode "Willie's 21st Birthday"
01:01:34 Gary and John talk about working with Shelley Long
01:02:11 Different of girlfriends of Willie on FAMILY
01:03:53 Michael J. Fox on FAMILY
01:07:17 Tommy Lee Jones appearance on FAMILY
01:09:20 Elayne Heilveil on how she left FAMILY
01:12:00 Louise Foley talks about her audition for Audrey on FAMILY
01:14:38 Louise tells the story of how she was the original "Joanie" in the pilot of HAPPY DAYS
01:16:18 John Rubenstein on what it was like to come back on and off through different years of FAMILY
01:19:49 John Rubenstein tells a funny story about a difficult casting conflict between FAMILY and a film he had to fly out to be in
01:22:49 Elayne relates a story about how John Rubenstien met her at the Apple Pan restaurant by the TV studio after they shot the pilot
01:25:16 Gary Frank and Carroll Newman on why Quinn Cummings was brought on FAMILY
01:29:07 John Rubenstein talks about Meredith Baxter Birney
01:32:54 Elayne Heilveil and Carroll Newman on how the character of Nancy was written so the audience didn't like her
01:36:16 Funny story about the first time James Broderick met Meredith Baxter Birney on the FAMILY set
01:37:40 Gary Frank talks about his friendship with the other Nancy, Jane Actman
01:39:05 Carroll Newman talks about Meredith Baxter Birney not auditioning for Nancy
01:40:41 Difficult relationship between Meredith and her real life husband, David Birney
01:41:36 John Rubenstein on a difficult moment when he had to slap Meredith Baxter Birney in a scene and actually diid
01:44:22 Gary Frank specific fond memories he has of FAMILY
01:51:18 Gary Frank on what he is up to in the present time
01:52:10 Carroll Newman on what she is up to in the present time
01:52:55 Elayne Heilveil on what she is up to in the present time
01:54:39 John Rubenstein on what he is up to in the present time
01:57:31 Louise Foley on what she is up to in the present time
02:00:54 Favorite memories from each Family member