Eclectic Cast of Stars Share their Thoughts on Life and Being a “Child of the ‘70s”

My interviews with Cindy Brady, Big Rosie, Bruce Vilanch, and a porn star!

By Fred Pollard

Cindy Brady. Big Rosie from Laverne and Shirley. Geri, Blair’s cousin from The Facts of Life. Gay porn stars. Bruce Vilanch. All on set together.

No, this isn’t the latest John Waters film. The eclectic and ragtag team of celebrities and pop icons make up the cast of Michael Vaccaro’s web series, “Child of the ‘70s.”

An homage to the more innocent and wacky era of television, the YouTube serial tells the modern-day story of Carlo, an Italian New Yorker who in unprepared for what he finds when he moves to Los Angeles.

“It’s the most fun I’ve ever had on a set,” actor, producer and director Vaccaro said. “Every day, I’m surrounded by people that I love. They are all tremendously talented and funny and warm. It’s a family, for sure.”

childofthe70s_castpromo_sept13

From 1969 until 1974 (and again in 1976, 1981, 1990…), Susan Olsen portrayed pig-tailed lisper Cindy, the youngest sibling on “The Brady Bunch.”

Olsen’s later career in radio is how Vaccaro roped her into a role in his series as talent agency head “Nickel,” making her first appearance in the third episode of season two.

childofthe70s_susanolsen_sept13“It was actually my radio partner, Sheena Metal who suggested it,” she said. “The way she put it to me was, ‘How would you like to do a scene where you are Bruce Vilanch’s boss and get to yell at him?’ I thought that was a splendid idea!”

Desperate for tales of behind-the-scenes drama and backstabbing, I begged Susan to rat out Vaccaro with allegations of abuse, violence, and megalomania. She obliged.

“We all have a pretty good time,” she said. “Michael is very sweet. However, I do find it a little odd that he insists on arriving on set riding an ass (often an ex-boyfriend) and has us all fan him with palm branches.

“But hey, we all have our quirks.”

In addition to an on-and-off career in radio (her show followed Howard Stern’s broadcast in the mid 90s), Olsen also devotes a lot of time as an advocate for causes she feels passionate about, including child abuse, child pornography, and animal welfare.

“Animal welfare is about improving the lives of domesticated animals and trying to reduce the population of unwanted animals and educating irresponsible pet owners. I started as a foster mother for the shelter. I would take unweaned kittens (very few unweaned puppies come in, but it is raining kittens from spring to fall). Then I got involved in a non-profit group, Precious Paws.”

These days, she interweaves her devotion to animals with another passion-her artwork. Proceeds from her print series ‘The Art of Rescue’ are used to assist animals in rescue organizations.

She also says she is still close with the clan of Brady actors who became her onscreen (and off-screen) family.

“About six months ago, the three Brady brothers and I were at a Monkees convention in New Jersey,” she told me. “Eve Plumb (‘Jan’ without the black afro) now lives in New York, so we all went into the city and joined her for dinner. We all like each other far more than most real families do.”

Missing in action once again, however, was Cousin Oliver.

Olsen and Vilanch have a history together that dates back to the “real” 1970s.

“I adore Bruce and respect him greatly. Working with somebody as brilliant as Bruce is an opportunity so I said yes. He was one of the writers on the infamous ‘Brady Bunch Variety Hour.’”

Check out one of the darkest times in television history here!

childofthe70s2_bradybook_sept13To learn more about the show, check out Susan Olsen’s book, which is available at Amazon.com and on your Kindle.

I asked Vilanch, an actor and comedy writer best known for his stint on “Hollywood Squares” and as head writer for the Oscars for nearly 15 years, about that unfortunate era in American history.

“I’ll share (my memories) in the book I’m writing, pending the lifting of the court order that forbade me from even thinking about the Brady kids for 40 years,” he told me. “An agent who has since died (but will haunt me from his mossy grave if I mention his name) got me involved with the Brady Bunch when I was deemed ‘too hip’ to work with the Captain and Tennille. In our first conversation, Florence (Henderson, who played Carol Brady) assured me no one would ever call me ‘too hip’ again.

“We had a fantastic time doing the series, and the guest stars alone — Lucille Ball, Tina Turner, Milton Berle, Farrah Fawcett, Tony Randall — were worth the trip.

“And Ann B. Davis (“Alice”) is the original Ellen DeGeneres.”

childofthe70s2_brucevilanch_sept13Beginning with season two, episode two of “Child of the ‘70s,” Vilanch plays Larry, a sleazy agent who spends much of his screen time trying to get into Carlo’s pants.

“I’ve known Michael Vaccaro since I was working under the name Brenda Vaccaro some years ago. I changed my name, but kept the monogrammed clothing, and Michael found them at a garage sale and traced them back to me. This was before eBay. One coincidence led to another, and he asked me to be on his series. It felt like fate.”

When not waxing wit, Vilanch has spent much of his 40-plus writing career as an outspoken advocate of equality and human rights. I asked him if he had any thoughts about the controversy over Russia and the Olympics.

“I have plenty of thoughts and they are all sober ones since I dumped all my STOLI,” he says. “I think it’s a human rights crisis that needs to be addressed with actions beyond boycotts and politicking with the IOC. I think the Olympics is a distraction from the real issue, which is the impending holocaust of LGBT in Russia. I think we need to set our sights higher; every member of the Duma should be put on alert by having their visas to the U.S. and the Eurozone lifted by the civilized governments of the world.

“They should be exposed for the criminals they are. The United Nations should be brought into play. This is bigger than boycotting Big Macs, bigger than moving the Olympics. The Berlin Olympics came and went and six million died.”

On a lighter note, I tried to talk him into giving us a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the upcoming Oscars, or even just give us a teaser. He only had one thing to say.

“Hopefully, it will be funnier than the last paragraph.”

childofthe70s2_caroleitawhite_sept13You may not recognize the name Carole Ita White, but who can forget Laverne’s nemesis, “Big Rosie,” that White played on Laverne and Shirley?

“Rosie taught me that sassy walk,” she says. “She’s no lady, but I try to be on my best behavior…rarely succeeding.”

White makes her first appearance as Carlos’ Aunt Connie in season one, episode two of “Child of the ‘70s.”

“Michael invited me to come play, and it has been such a hoot. (I am working with) so many talented actors.”

In 2010, White came out as bisexual during an appearance on Frank DeCaro’s show on Sirius XM Radio. Saying she is open to all possibilities of love, she says she falls in love with the soul of a person, not simply what is on the outside.

“Meredith Baxter had just come out on his show, so I decided to follow suit,” she said. “I actually didn’t plan it.

“Gay rights have greatly advanced in the past few years, especially with the admittance and acceptance of gays in the military and the president endorsing gay marriage. When I think of how many before us lived closeted lives, and how many have died by their own hand or have been bullied, even murdered, for being gay it breaks my heart. We must learn about each other and embrace our unique differences. We must learn to live and let live.”

Also joining the eclectic cast is a well-known figure of a different sort — popular gay adult film star, Leo Forte, plays a lead role as Carlo’s boyfriend, Joe. The two meet at the beginning of season two.

childofthe70s_leoforte_sept13Surprisingly, he provided the most poignant moment of my interviews when talking about the recent rash of deaths in the adult film industry, including Arpad Miklos, Erik Rhodes and Roman Ragazzi.

“These deaths have taken their toll on me,” he says. “I have lost friends (and, in one case, a close friend) who I miss terribly. I can’t help but get tears in my eyes every time I see his face or hear his name.”

I asked him if he felt he had escaped the “curse,” if that is how he sees the epidemic of suicides and drug-related deaths.

“I don’t see what has happened as a curse. We performers are all challenged with our own demons and obstacles; often we turn to them to empower and feed our performances. This is true with all performers, not just those in the porn industry. Plenty of times our personal monsters take hold and don’t let go.  I feel that the true test is to walk through the fire and not get burned along the way. If you succeed please tell me how.

“I feel fortunate that I have never been one to flinch in the face of adversity, but instead stare it down and come to the realization that I am the architect of my destiny and whatever else is looking to change that will fall at my hand.”

In just a few short years, Leo has risen to the top tier of the adult industry, especially within the fetish community. He has performed for several studios, including Raging Stallion and NakedSword.

“I’m part of the production team for Raging Stallion’s Fetish Force line – contemporary BDSM play in the gay community,” he said. “I’m second in command to Tony Buff the director, and I’m also the videographer and occasional model.

“I am also working as second camera/best boy/casting at NakedSword with my best-friend, gay-wife, and mentor, Mr. Pam. NakedSword has been coined the ‘HBO of gay porn.’ We have several award-winning series in the works, such as Hooker Stories (now in its second season), and Golden Gate (in its fifth season).

“Anyone can make porn nowadays, but not anyone can make it as well as we do.”

Also coming soon is “Dream Team,” a high fashion-inspired film about what Leo calls the “best of the best.”

“I wasn’t in it so I question that,” he laughs.

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“Child of the 70s” also features Ann Walker (LaVonda from “Sordid Lives”), Geri Jewell (Geri from “The Facts of Life”), Alison Arngrim (Nellie from “Little House on the Prairie”) and gay adult film stars Johnny Hazzard and Mike Dreyden. Donna Pescow (star of the 70s sitcom “Angie”) and Lynne Marie Stewart (Miss Yvonne from “Pee-wee’s Playhouse”) share the role of Carlos’ loud Italian mother.

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youtube_logo_apr13Check out “Child of the ‘70s” at YouTube here!

 

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