Haywood Nelson, Duane, What's Happening! - Behind the Scenes

[TMC]

John talks with Haywood Nelson, Duane from What's Happening! in this behind the scenes, hysterical and personal interview! Haywood talks about how he influenced the name of the show, What's Happening!, his initial wild audition process for the show, working with Redd Foxx and Richard Pryor as well as auditioning with Laurence Fishburne and Giancarlo Esposito! Duane discusses his special relationship with Fred Berry "Rerun" and the huge effect Fred had on his life. He also discusses the passing of Shirley Hemphill and Mabel King as well as Fred Berry. So much more including working with Marlo Thomas and how Gene Gene the dancing machine came about on the Gong Show. This is a fun interview and very touching as well, enjoy! Thanks a bunch Haywood!

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
• 00:01:00 How Haywood influenced the name of the show "What's Happening"
• 00:03:25 The initial audition for What's Happening and Good Times
• 00:05:56 Working with Redd Foxx and Richard Pryor/working on Grady
• 00:08:47 Auditioning w/ Laurence Fishburne and Giancarlo Esposito
• 00:10:56 Numerous commercials Haywood was in
• 00:11:36 Final audition for (Cooley High) What's Happening
• 00:13:46 Blocking rehearsals for What's Happening at a bank office building
• 00:14:46 Mark Warren, the director and Sammy Davis Jr.
• 00:16:35 Cast felt like family
• 00:17:53 Fred Berry "Rerun", Shirley Hemphill and Mabel King stories
• 00:28:10 Fred Berry changed Haywood's life/ Haywood's secret apartment
• 00:32:23 Haywood's relationship with Danielle Spencer
• 00:35:15 Haywood's experience with the movie "Mixed Company"
• 00:38:21 Broadway play "Thieves" with Valerie Harper and Marlo Thomas, Charles Grodin
• 00:47:38 The Gong Show
• 00:48:09 Haywood's friendship with Freddie Prinze "Chico and the Man"
• 00:50:27 Haywood's private moment with Johnny Carson
• 00:52:40 The Gong Show and Gene Gene the Dancing Machine
• 00:54:38 Cancellation of What's Happening & Haywood's other jobs in show business