Gopher Tells All: Fred Grandy’s Love Boat Stories and More!"

[TMC]

Fred Grandy—known to millions as Gopher—takes John Cato on a rich, and at times hysterical behind-the-scenes look at The Love Boat. He recounts his unexpected casting, early skepticism from executives (except Gavin MacLeod and Aaron Spelling), unforgettable adventures filming on cruise ships in China and Turkey and his near death burning mishap while shooting The Love Boat. From writing episodes for The Love Boat and working with legends like Don Ameche, Ethel Merman, and Ricardo Montalban, to hilarious pranks involving Leslie Nielsen’s fart buzzer and a monkey brains story in Hong Kong, Fred shares it all. He also reflects on his friendship with the cast, the rise of the cruise industry because of The Love Boat, his son, Charlie's Hollywood writing career, and his emotional path from actor to Congressman. Thanks a bunch Fred!

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
• 00:00:57 Fred talks about auditioning for Gopher on The Love Boat
• 00:04:21 How only Aaron Spelling and Gavin MacLeod believed it would be a hit
• 00:05:42 The first time Fred met the other cast members
• 00:07:21 The cast is still close today/ The Love Boat podcast
• 00:09:03 Fred talks about the upcoming The Love Boat podcast he is part of
• 00:12:34 Fred on Gavin MacLeod
• 00:14:14 Some of Fred's funniest moments shooting The Love Boat
• 00:19:13 Fred explains how the sets were laid out for The Love Boat when they shot at the studio
• 00:20:31 Fred tells a funny story about his father and Jimmy Walker on the Panama Cruise of The Love Boat
• 00:23:09 Fred talks about the back deck set
• 00:26:23 How much the cruise industry exploded due to Love Boat
• 00:28:22 A typical day on the Love Boat set
• 00:31:18 Fred tells a hysterical story of The Love Boat trip to Turkey
• 00:32:59 Fred tells a great story of the first international Love Boat trip and the crowds waiting for them
• 00:35:05 What it was like for Fred to go from nobody to somebody
• 00:36:56 Fred talks about Juliet Mills and her father, John Mills
• 00:39:32 Fred talks about working with Don Ameche
• 00:41:23 Fred talks about writing episodes for The Love Boat
• 00:44:25 Fred talks about his goal as an actor then and now
• 00:51:43 Fred talks about when Ray Bolger was on The Love Boat
• 00:54:00 Fred talks about Ethel Merman
• 00:55:08 Fred on a funny moment between Ernest Borgnine and Ethel Merman
• 00:55:52 Leslie Nielsen and his fart buzzer
• 00:59:19 Fred and Love American Style
• 01:00:31 Working on the Joan Rivers film "The Girl Most Likely"
• 01:01:10 Fred talks about working on Maude for 7 - 8 episodes
• 01:02:17 Fred talks about Monster Squad
• 01:03:22 Fred on working with George Carlin
• 01:04:16 Charlie's Angels Love Boat crossover episode
• 01:05:15 Fred doesn't watch what he is in generally
• 01:06:30 Fred on working with Ricardo Montalban on Fantasy Island
• 01:07:31 Frad tells a funny story about Lee Horsley "Matt Houston" in China
• 01:09:39 Fred tells a difficult momemt in Hong Kong with Monkey brains
• 01:11:24 Fred talks about the amazing writing career of his son, Charlie from SNL to the Office and on
• 01:14:55 Fred talks about losing both of his parents by age 12 and the affect on his life
• 01:17:33 Fred talks about his run for Congress
• 01:18:22 Fred talks about almost dying from a balloon accident in Turkey
• 01:28:27 Fred talks about Helen Hayes sending him $100 for his congressional run