Still Here Hollywood

Michele Lee "Knots Landing"

She was the moral compass of Knots Landing and one of primetime TV’s most unforgettable characters. Michele Lee — the actress, singer, director, and producer who brought Karen MacKenzie to life for 14 seasons — joins Steve Kmetko for a wide-ranging, funny, and deeply personal conversation. Michele shares behind-the-scenes stories from the Knots Landing set, from fan-favorite romances to the infamous pranks, and reflects on how her character helped shape conversations about marriage, equality, and resilience on television. She also takes us back to her Broadway roots (How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Seesaw), her leap into directing at a time when women weren’t always welcomed behind the camera, and her personal journey through love, loss, and new beginnings. Along the way, she opens up about friendships with Joan Van Ark and Donna Mills, why Knots Landing still resonates today, and a surprising mid-air encounter with George Clooney that only Michele could tell. From the Broadway stage to the Seaview Circle cul-de-sac, Michele Lee proves why she’s a timeless star who’s still here, still sharp, and still inspiring. #MicheleLee #KnotsLanding #KarenMacKenzie #ClassicTV #80sTV #TVDrama #BroadwayMusicals #HowToSucceedInBusiness #Seesaw #GeorgeClooney #DonnaMills #JoanVanArk #BehindTheScenes #HollywoodStories #CelebrityInterview #StillHereHollywood #SteveKmetko Show Credits Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko All things technical: Justin Zangerle Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein Music by: Brian Sanyshyn Transcription:  Mushtaq Hussain   https://stillherehollywood.com http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Larry Wilcox "CHiPS"

From Wyoming cowboy to Marine, from Vietnam veteran to Hollywood star—Larry Wilcox has lived a dozen lives in one. Best known as Officer Jon Baker on CHiPs, Wilcox joins Steve Kmetko for a revealing conversation about his childhood, his military service, the pop culture explosion of CHiPs, and what really went on behind the scenes with co-star Erik Estrada. In this wide-ranging interview, Wilcox reflects on the culture shock of leaving small-town Wyoming for Beverly Hills, the highs and lows of Hollywood stardom, and the reality of keeping a hit show alive in the late ’70s and early ’80s. He opens up about performing stunts, surviving near-death moments, navigating on-set tension, and even being forced off the show at the height of its success. Beyond CHiPs, Wilcox shares candid stories about his service in Vietnam, losing his sister to tragedy, living with PTSD, and why he ultimately found peace in business, aviation, and new creative ventures. In this episode: Growing up in Wyoming and chasing Hollywood dreams Becoming a Marine, Vietnam memories, and life-changing loss How he landed CHiPs—and why it was the hardest role of his career Behind-the-scenes with Erik Estrada: chemistry, conflict, and reconciliation Hair-raising stunt stories and near-death experiences The pop culture phenomenon of CHiPs—and what happened when he left Reflections on fame, humility, and building a life after television It’s more than just a nostalgic trip down TV memory lane—it’s the unflinching life story of a Marine turned pop culture icon who’s still here to tell it all. Larry Wilcox, CHiPs TV show, Jon Baker, Erik Estrada, Ponch and Jon, California Highway Patrol, 1970s TV, NBC television, classic cop shows, Steve Kmetko, Still Here Hollywood, celebrity interviews, Vietnam veterans, PTSD in Hollywood, classic TV stunts, Hollywood stories #LarryWilcox #CHiPs #StillHereHollywood #SteveKmetko #ClassicTV #HollywoodStories #ErikEstrada #VietnamVeteran Show Credits Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko All things technical: Justin Zangerle Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein Music by: Brian Sanyshyn Transcription:  Mushtaq Hussain   https://stillherehollywood.com http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Noah Wyle, NEW EMMY WINNER "The Pitt" Encore

Last year our friend, Noah Wyle, announced his new project, "The Pitt" to Steve Kmetko and STILL HERE HOLLYWOOD. He just won Emmys for LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMATIC SERIES, OUTSTANDING DRAMATIC SERIES, and his co-star Katherine LaNasa won for SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMATIC SERIES. Because of this, we're presenting this Encore Episode for uou to enjoy. Show Credits Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko All things technical: Justin Zangerle Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein Music by: Brian Sanyshyn Transcription:  Mushtaq Hussain   https://stillherehollywood.com http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michael Learned "The Waltons"

In this heartfelt and revealing episode of Still Here Hollywood, Emmy-winning actress Michael Learned—best known as Olivia Walton on the iconic TV series The Waltons—sits down with host Steve Kmetko for an unforgettable conversation. Michael opens up about her unconventional journey to Hollywood, her years as America's mom, and the challenges she faced both on and off set. From battling alcoholism and overcoming depression, to rediscovering joy in the theater and reflecting on a lasting career that spans Shakespeare, soap operas, and Dahmer, Michael is candid, witty, and inspiring. She shares stories about working with Ralph Waite, her Emmy wins, playing Daisy in Driving Miss Daisy, and why she has no regrets about leaving The Waltons before it ended. This is the definitive interview with a living television legend. #MichaelLearned #TheWaltons #StillHereHollywood #SteveKmetko #ClassicTV #TVLegends #EmmyWinner #HollywoodInterview #DrivingMissDaisy #JeffreyDahmerNetflix #BehindTheScenes #WomenInHollywood #AlcoholRecovery #AAStories #ActressInterview #OldHollywood #WaltonsReunion #OliviaWalton Show Credits Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko All things technical: Justin Zangerle Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein Music by: Brian Sanyshyn Transcription:  Mushtaq Hussain   https://stillherehollywood.com http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

David Chokachi "Baywatch" Encore

David does amazing work with a charity that saves and relocates pets. Please donate to:http://www.wingsofrescue.org Show CreditsHost/Producer: Steve KmetkoAll things technical: Justin ZangerleExecutive Producer: Jim LichtensteinMusic by: Brian SanyshynTranscription: Mushtaq Hussain https://stillherehollywood.comhttp://patreon.com/stillherehollywoodSuggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.comAdvertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.comPublicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.