Ménage Á Pop is a three times a week intimate discussion between two people and a piece of pop culture.
Can't afford a personal trainer? Got more of a VHS-tape-from-the-local-thrift-store type budget? Well what if I told you there was a way to combine those two sentences into one work out regime? Such was the pitch that peaked Marianne Bayard's early 90s interest. And while the funds were her mother's, the tapes were none other than the well-coiffed squat thrusts of Tony Little. So grab the Sunny D and sweat through her take on this infamous infomercial guru.
Watch today’s guest MARIANNE BAYARD on KILLING IT a tv series she created, writes and stars in now streaming on AMAZON PRIME and MARESNKAPS.COM. Visit her homepage of MARIANNEBAYARD.COM and follow her on TWITTER @mariannetbayard.
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POP NOTES
Tony Little was in training for the Mr. America competition and on his way to the gym when his car was struck by a drunk driver. The resulting injuries stalled his competitive body building career.
While recuperating at home from the accident he happened to catch Jane Fonda promoting her own work-out video. That interview prompted him to pursue his own televised work-out routine.
He originally paid a local cable access channel $5500 for 15 hours of airtime. It was during these spots he formulated and ran a version of his work-out routine.
Based on this cable access program, Tony Little was invited onto the Home Shopping Network in 1987. This initial four hour appearance resulted in the sale of 400 copies of his work-out videos.
While best known as the spokesperson for the Gazelle Elliptical Trainer, this opportunity was almost derailed by a second accident. Tony Little was able to convince the producers to keep him on by utilizing his recovery story as part of the sale pitch.
The Washington Smithsonian Institute honored Tony Little by naming a gazelle born on it premises “Little Tony.”
Tune back on Friday when Marianne hits the high notes on anthem belter CELINE DION. .
This episode of MÉNAGE Á POP was recorded by CAST, an online audio platform that lets you create and record a multi-guest podcast straight from your web-browser. It was then mastered by AUPHONIC, a web-based post-production service. Check out both sights for trial and subscription information.
MUSIC FEATURED IN TODAY’S EPISODE:
“Three Ways To Do That” (opening theme) composed and performed by The Madeline Prior. All rights reserved with Not A Holograms podcasts.
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