Vintage Celebrity Interviews Episodes

Between 1980 and 1995, Michael Small interviewed hundreds of celebrities for articles in People Magazine, Mademoiselle, and other publications. For all these years, he saved his notes, rough drafts and audio interviews, including every item related to three years of writing the Chatter gossip column on People's last page. Should he keep it? Toss it? Give it away? On I Couldn't Throw It Out, he shares his audio interviews with the stars of movies, TV, music, and art. Then -- in an attempt at some Swedish Death Cleaning -- he invites guests to help him decide what to keep, what to give away and what just might end up in the trash.
May 2, 2025

Nicolas Cage goes wild? Yes, and no. Hear him in 1994

Nic Cage delivers another explosive performance in the new movie "The Surfer." But the actor I interviewed was somebody else.

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March 18, 2025

The Lost Interview: Led Zeppelin’s Page and Plant

Hear my never-shared 1995 talk with Jimmy Page and Robert Plant about their music, books, diets, girlfriends, hair loss, Led Zeppelin myths, and their Unledded reunion

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Jan. 24, 2025

How Keith Haring Changed Art: Hear Him in '83

His graffiti in NYC subways made him a world-wide art star before his death at 31. Hear my 1983 interview as Haring answers his critics, plus: a chat about Keith with Andy Warhol

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July 6, 2024

Scary! Stephen King and Peter Straub's lost interview

The writers discuss their friendship and trade bloody tales during a never-shared 1984 interview about their hit book The Talisman. Plus, horror expert Bev Vincent on the chances of a new Talisman sequel or TV series

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March 21, 2024

Memories of Melanie: A friend shares fun times with the singer

Melanie Safka's hit song about roller skating didn't reflect her rich talents and history. Get the real story from her lifelong friend, photographer Maddy Miller (Plus: a never-heard Melanie interview)

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Dec. 19, 2023

Diana Ross: Three Crazy New York Nights

What came with VIP access to Diana's '80s concerts? Well, chatting with Andy Warhol, stalking Richard Gere, dancing with Diana at 1:30 AM -- and getting very wet

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Sept. 29, 2023

Dance great Martha Graham: Hear This Genius at 95

Helen Keller’s friend, Hitler’s defier, Woody Allen’s teacher – the dancer who jolted America with moves you now see on TV, movies and music videos told me great tales in 1989.

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Aug. 19, 2023

How I Blew It at the Movie Premiere for Tootsie

As Dustin Hoffman, Andy Warhol, and Diana Ross watched, did I ruin Bill Murray's night at the 1982 premiere party? Former SNL writer Tom Gammill helps us decide.

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July 21, 2023

John Flansburgh: They Might Be Giants Memories

With help from They Might Be Giants' John Flansburgh, it's time to toss treasures that I saved after writing the band's first 1985 review in People Magazine.

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Jan. 9, 2023

Three Interviews: Cronin, Basquiat and Barris

Hear the 1984 interview tape with this random trio: REO Speedwagon's Kevin Cronin, painter Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Gong Show host Chuck Barris

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Dec. 17, 2022

Kiefer Sutherland's Very First Interview

In 1983, 16-year-old Kiefer Sutherland met me in Nova Scotia to discuss his first big movie role.  Hear how he felt about actor dad Donald -- and how I messed up my People Magazine article.

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Aug. 13, 2022

Flashdance's Jennifer Beals: My 1983 Interview Tape

When 19-year-old Jennifer Beals enrolled at Yale – after starring in 1983's Flashdance -- she couldn't escape a People Magazine interview with me. Listen in as I replay her patient response to my ridiculous cringe-worthy mistakes.

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May 30, 2022

Joni Mitchell's Wonderful Tales - 1985 Interview (Part 2)

Joni talks about meeting Jimi Hendrix, why Jack Nicholson missed his musical cameo, and why she failed piano lessons. Plus, she recites a 7th grade poem. (Part 2 of 2)

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May 28, 2022

Joni Mitchell: Our Day Together in 1985

For my People Magazine interview, Joni talked about flunking high school, Woodstock, Bob Dylan, her Chelsea apartment, poetry, painting, and much more.  Do not ask me to toss those tapes. (Part 1)

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