Here Now the News with Jerry Barmash

Peter Falk became a superstar for his portray of Lt. Columbo, winning the Emmy Award four times for playing the raincoat wearing detective in the LAPD. This episode takes you behind-the-scenes at the famed cop drama that broke the mold from other shows. 

David Koenig is the author of "Shooting Columbo: The Lives and Deaths of TV's Rumpled Detective."

We discuss his 10 years researching this book and the revelations abound. This is an interview fans of the show, Falk, or classic TV won't want to miss! 

In commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, my guest is Don Dahler. The veteran broadcaster was one of the first network correspondents to describe the scene at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Dahler, who was reporting for ABC News at the time, lived just blocks from Ground Zero. He was on GMA moments after the first plane crashed into the North Tower, and Dahler was part of ABC's coverage as the unthinkable became a reality. 

Dahler went on to become anchor at CBS' New York flagship WCBS-TV and correspondent at CBS News.  

TV weather personality Lloyd Lindsay Young, who grew up in Los Angeles, talks about making to jump to NYC in the early 1980s and landing in San Francisco before that. His style made him popular with viewers, although his shtick would also be a lightning rod in the early going from management. 

Natalia "Saw Lady" Paruz is famous for playing a saw from concert halls to subway stations. The accomplished musician's unique sound has been also featured in several movies and TV shows. She discusses why she chose this instrument and regularly entertains commuters. 

John Montone retired recently after a four-decade career at 1010 WINS in New York City. He didn't create the idea of interviewing people on the street, but he did revolutionize it. 

He would take changes and have fun with his reports. But there were serious stories to cover too, none more important, of course, than 9/11. 

Craig Allen has been a familiar forecaster for 40 years on WCBS 880 in New York City. He talks about the milestone achievement in radio and his many years in television as well.  

Retired NYC detective Steven Gates does not shy from controversial topics. Those are usually related to stories involving law enforcement. While we start the interview talking about the highway patrolman who was recently run over by a woman, and the consequences she likely faces, the majority of the conversation is about Steven's unwillingness to take the COVID-19 vaccination. He outlines the factors leading to the decision that also keeps his children without the virus protection.   

In part 2 of my conversation with actor Craig Bierko, he looks back at some of his most popular roles from television and movies. He also has fond memories of his Tony Award nominated performance in The Music Man and his co-star Rebecca Luker, who died late in 2020.

On a lighter note, Craig recalls his audition for a sitcom that would become one of the longest running in television history. 

Veteran CNN reporter Michelle Kosinski talks about her decision to leave the cable network and move into podcasting. The former State Dept.  and White House correspondent talks about the main difference in covering President Trump's administration as opposed to the President Obama White House. 

It's been 40 years since John Lennon was gunned down outside of his Dakota apartment building on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.  This episode relives the final moments of the legendary member of the Beatles. 

Alan Weiss, a producer at the time with WABC-TV, was in a motorcycle accident and brought to Roosevelt Hospital. But within minutes, Weiss would be at the center of one of the biggest stories of his career. You'll learn details of how he investigated Lennon's shooting while getting care in the emergency room. 

Weiss also talks about getting the confirmation that Lennon died and how Howard Cosell broke that news to a national football audience.  

As hospitalizations are at record levels, many states are placing new restrictions to halt the spread of the coronavirus. In Utah, Governor Gary Herbert has called for a mask mandate while ICU wards are near capacity. 

In this episode, Dr. Russell Vinik, chief medical operations officer at University of Utah Health, talks about the daunting task his staff faces in treating COVID patients with a lack of resources. 

The doctor is also concerned about the winter, which comes earlier in Utah, and what that will mean for social distancing. 

Legendary Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek passed away at 80 after battling pancreatic cancer.  In this special episode, Bob Eubanks (The Newlywed Game) shares memories of his longtime friend. 

I'll also speak to Tony Pinizzotto, a game show historian who helped launch Buzzr. 

Both men also talked about Jeopardy! moving on without the calming presence of Trebek, a fixture in homes for decades. 

As election night moved into the morning, several states were yet to be called, keeping the winner of the 2020 presidential race still in doubt hours after the polls closed.

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, who would win her 16th term in the House of Representatives, was a guest for live streaming of the results. Former Westwood One News White House correspondent Bob Costantini also helped analyze the historic night between President Donald Trump and Joe Biden. 

An brief overview of my new podcast-- Here Now the News will feature interviews and analysis of the most important stories facing Americans today. Look for "Here Now the News" with veteran broadcaster Jerry Barmash coming soon.