Over the past 20 years, I have been privileged to work in the entertainment industry as a writer. During the course of those years, I truly was focused on talking with people who inspired me and created memories of true talent, personality and joy. That’s why I created showbiss.net. To showcase those “stars in a box” (having kept all my taped interviews in a cardboard box!) who truly meant something to me and hopefully… to you as well. On this site, you will find old and new interviews with film and music’s stars, plus current book and music reviews. It’s always been a passion of mine that continues to light the way.
– Bill Biss
“Don’t let’s ask for the moon. We have the stars.”
– Bette Davis
Shirley Jones: Much More Than Mrs. Partridge
Families and friends took The Partridge Family into their homes for five years from 1970 to 1975. This popular television show is still in syndication. Shirley Jones portrayed the matriarch of this musical clan of teenagers and children. For any movie buff, Shirley holds court anytime you enjoy films like Oklahoma, The Music Man, and […]
Remembering Doris Day with Julien’s Auctions – Property from the Estate of Doris Day
Remembering Doris Day with Julien’s Auctions Property from the Estate of Doris Day “You smile the song begins, you speak and I hear violins… It’s magic.” Such will always be the case regarding Doris Day. A remarkable woman whose voice, smile, humor and beauty transcends time. What exactly did Day do? Not only was she […]
The Big Goodbye: Chinatown and the Last Years of Hollywood
This book hit hard, it was a book that makes a person think twice and it was so well-written and fact-checked by Sam Wasson… It’s worth remembering on showbiss.net. Here’s my review. An actor, a director, a producer and screenwriter meet up in a restaurant. The waiter says, “What would you like to order?” Well, […]
Keeping Company with Elaine Stritch
John Bell on his book Elaine Stritch: The End of Pretend Sondheim brought them together. Think of Elaine Stritch forever. When John Bell came along to talk about songs. Now stop as John and Stritch became friends, a friendship that didn’t end until the end of pretend. Admiration kept them together… and what a pleasure. […]
The Little Book of Marilyn: An Interview with author Michelle Morgan
The Little Book of Marilyn is big on inspiration. Michelle Morgan has created a veritable treasure trove of all things “Monroe.” The book encompasses the ideals that are purely Marilyn’s. Running from style, beauty and what she continued to strive for with her own life skills. The photos included are phenomenal and as refreshing as […]
Fly, Robin Fly! Into the Bat Cave with Burt Ward
Burt Ward starred in the wildly popular 1960’s television show Batman. Alongside Adam West as the title character, Ward was his superhero sidekick “Robin.” Running a span of three years with 120 episodes, they captured the public’s imagination with the action and the humor of it all and their heroics. This “pow, wham, bang” of […]
Don’t Stop Believin’: Olivia Newton-John talks about her new autobiography
It was very interesting to discover that in Olivia Newton-John’s autobiography Don’t Stop Believin’… she is an admirer of Doris Day. Olivia tried to portray Day in a film adaptation of the star’s life. Hence, it was a matter of “Que Sera Sera” and wasn’t meant to be. Yet, the similarities between these two women […]
Linda Clifford: One of Disco’s First Ladies
May you forever groove on. – Linda Clifford. As one of the revered female singers in the classic era of disco, Linda Clifford rode a tidal wave of success from 1977 to 1980. Her beautiful voice held the beat while her rhythm and blues brought her strength and emotion out. “If My Friends Could See […]
Catching up with Cyndi Lauper!
The one and only Cyndi Lauper is on the road again guest starring for the magnificent Rod Stewart. Having interviewed her back in 2003 for At Last, then for the opening year of her True Colors Foundation concert and her album, Bring Ya to the Brink… it once again was a distinct pleasure to talk […]
Shannah Laumeister on Bert Stern: Original Madman
Now and for some time, Shannah Laumeister has been Mrs. Bert Stern. In 2013, I interviewed her for a very special reason. Laumeister had just released a documentary film and a brilliant one at that… on Bert Stern. Stern was a remarkable photographer of the first caliber and her partner in life at this time. […]
Tami Neilson: Sass, Class and Style with Sassafrass!
When you discover a singer/songwriter such as Tami Neilson… the sparks fly with her intuitive talent that jumps genres as easily as a kid on the playground. Whether she captures the spirit of classic country or fires her voice up to R&B or soul, Neilson has a distinct style to be reckoned with. She truly […]
Cyd Charisse: A Legendary Lady of Dance
There are moments in time when you realize that you are talking with someone who has filled your life with musical joy. This was the case talking with the lovely Cyd Charisse. She was truly a major motion picture star who created so many wonderful musical numbers in such films as The Harvey Girls, Singin’ […]
ANITA O’DAY: The Jezebel of Jazz
“You never forget your first time.” In this instance, it was my first interview with a legendary lady of jazz. I distinctly remember thinking, “This woman has seen more good times and bad times and is a survivor of it all.” Anita O’Day was 85-years-old at the time of this interview. Her legacy sings for […]
The Passion of Tove Lo: Sexy and Smart
Tove Lo clearly has a “fresh” perspective to her lyrics. It’s a youthful approach that explores the ever-revolving doors of love through the eyes of sex, love and pain. The Swedish native brings that “purr” and “scratch” forth with her distinctive voice and brutal honesty. After a stunning and noteworthy EP titled Truth Serum, she […]
Book Interview for Icon: Marilyn Monroe with Gary Vitacco Robles
Gary Vitacco-Robles released Icon: Volume 2 [1956-1962 & Beyond] of his extensive and astute biography on Marilyn Monroe. Many consider his two volumes on Monroe to be the definitive presentation of her life and career. Robles offers a thoroughly engaging study of the woman behind the persona, while also diligently presenting her as representing Hollywood […]
Sheena Easton: Scottish Siren of Song
As the search will always continue for the latest “new thing” in pop music, Sheena Easton most definitely knows what it means to be a pop princess. She kicked off her career with a Grammy Award for best new artist in 1981. She has had numerous hit records that in the pop swirl of time […]
Eye To Eye: Graham Nash
Graham Nash is an internationally known icon of rock music, as a solo artist and for his legendary partnership with the group Crosby Stills Nash and Young. The band is known as an important part of musical history, with songs such as “Suite Judy Blue Eyes,” “Our House” and so many other timeless musical compositions. […]
Ms. D and Me: Life With the Invincible Bette Davis
The last decade from 1979 to 1989 of actress Bette Davis’s life was both monumental and monstrous. Monumental in the fact that she continued to work after a brilliant reign in motion pictures that initially began in 1931 with the film Bad Sister. In her career, Davis also won two Academy Awards for her performances […]
Judy Garland and Joey: A Son’s Memories of his Mom
When it comes to the stars of the film and entertainment world, there are very few whose name still rings out with an almost instant recognition like that of Judy Garland. Whether it’s through the eyes of a child watching The Wizard of Oz or the adults who have always had a consistent and never-ending […]
Kristine W.: A True Dame of Dance Music
I first interviewed Kristine W. in the summer of 2000. Her initial debut release Land of the Living made a strong impression because of her voice, the songs she had written and the undeniable dance beats. This interview was to promote her sophomore release entitled Stronger and talk about her success in this genre. Kristine […]
Barbra Streisand: Redefining Beauty, Femininity and Power
In all of the world so far, is Barbra Streisand the greatest star? Pretty darn close; as many of the finest in comparable entertainers have “left the building” of life, so to speak. In Barbra Streisand: Redefining Beauty, Femininity, and Power, from the Yale University Press Jewish Lives series, Neal Gabler presents a solid yet […]
Lady Gaga: The Fame’s Beginning
During the fall of 2009, Lady Gaga was in Paris promoting her debut called The Fame and also wowing the audiences with her live performances. Her debut single, “Let’s Dance” had taken over the airwaves at the time. Before the release of her debut in the United States, I spoke with this sensational and new […]
Elizabeth and Michael
There have been a cavalcade of books written about Elizabeth Taylor. Whether they are on her fashion, her fame or her films, the fascination is still strong. Why, Elizabeth Taylor even wrote four books herself during her lifetime. Yet, does Nibbles and Me count? Elizabeth was only a child with a chipmunk for that one. […]
Pet Shop Boys: A Resounding “Yes”
Their sound is unmistakable in the world and history of pop music. Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe have a formidable career and still create magical vibes with their music and lyrics. Both men are the recipients of the Outstanding Achievement in Music Award at the Brit Awards. They also broke a Billboard record with their […]