Jon Cryer, Part 2 | 80s television, Two and a Half Men and Lex Luthor

Jon Cryer, Part 2 | 80s television, Two and a Half Men and Lex Luthor

Author: 134 West | Susan Lambert Hatem & Sharon Johnson July 16, 2025 Duration: 1:04:22
Welcome to our final Season Three episode of 80s TV Ladies! Hosts Sharon Jonson and Susan Lambert Hatem continue their in-depth conversation with actor Jon Cryer. In this second part, Jon shares behind-the-scenes stories from his television and film career, including his start in 80s television with "The Famous Teddy Z," the ups and downs of sitcom life, and his experiences working with legends like Charlie Sheen, Christopher Reeve, and Gene Hackman.

In this episode:
  • Jon’s journey from 80s movies to TV stardom
  • The making (and unmaking) of "The Famous Teddy Z"
  • Working with one of his idols, Hugh Wilson (WKRP in Cincinnati, Frank’s Place)
  • Lessons learned from sitcoms like "Partners" and "Getting Personal"
  • The inside story of landing "Two and a Half Men" and working with Chuck Lorre and Charlie Sheen
  • Favorite guest stars and the casting of Holland Taylor and Conchata Ferrell
  • Reflections on the show’s humor, its approach to masculinity, and Lorre’s ability to write for women
  • Jon’s Emmy wins and what they meant to him
  • Playing Lex Luthor in the Arrowverse and being a lifelong comics fan
  • Producing podcasts, including the award-winning "The Man Who Calculated Death"
  • The importance of storytelling, speaking truth, and making art in today’s world
Plus:
  • A special trailer for "The Man Who Calculated Death" podcast
  • Fun anecdotes about the joy of making art and how he was involved in the making of the k.d. lang and Roy Orbison duet, “Crying”
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Remember those iconic women from television who defined an era? 80s TV Ladies revisits the groundbreaking, often delightfully campy, female-driven series that filled our living rooms with big hair and even bigger personalities. Hosts Susan Lambert Hatem and Sharon Johnson, under the 134 West banner, aren't just offering nostalgic recaps. They dig into the fascinating stories behind how shows like "Murder, She Wrote," "Kate & Allie," or "Designing Women" were actually made, examining the creative forces and network battles that brought them to air. Each episode explores how the politics and social climate of the 1980s shaped these narratives, and conversely, how the characters and stories themselves pushed cultural conversations forward, often in a complex dance of progress and tradition. This podcast celebrates the legacy of these programs while honestly assessing their place in history through that "two-steps forward, one-step-back" lens. It's a deep, engaging listen for anyone who loves television history, cultural analysis, and the powerful, complicated women who made the decade's TV so memorable. The show's quality is underscored by its recognition as a 4-time Podcast Awards winner and a Webby nominee for Best Indie Podcast. Tune in for thoughtful, well-researched discussions that go far beyond the opening credits.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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