An Illustrated Celebration from the Burbank Barnes & Noble "Throwback Thursdays" live events to TV's "Then Again with Herbie J Pilato" on Amazon Prime and Shout Factory TV
A Pictorial Retrospective
This week marks the 9th Anniversary of the “Throwback Thursday” live events that I began hosting at the Burbank Barnes & Noble in July of 2015.
Originally titled, “Get Pop-Cultured with Herbie J Pilato,” the celebrity-filled festivities were only supposed to transpire during July. But the events became so popular (cultured!), they became weekly affairs through December.
By then, the live-event show was titled, “Throwback Thursdays with Herbie J Pilato,” culminating with a special Christmas/Holiday palooza with a boatload of stars.
At the special holiday event, producer/writers Joel Eisenberg and Lorie Girsh Eisenberg gave me the greatest Christmas gift; a dream come true: they wanted to transform my live events into a TV talk show.
At this point, so many wonderful stars answered my call, and generously donated their time to appear in the pitch reel for the show, then-named, “Now and Then with Herbie J Pilato.”
We sold the idea to Shout! Factory TV which, in the summer of 2019, began streaming the first season of the now-named “Then Again with Herbie J Pilato” on Shout! Factory TV, Amazon Prime, and Amazon Prime UK.
“Then Again with Herbie J Pilato” is still available today across many media platforms, and I owe it all to the countless celebrities, production team members, and dear friends who helped to make it all happen. Specifically, the aforementioned Joel Eisenberg and Lorie Girsh Eisenberg (God rest her soul), as well as Diane Sands, who was at the time the Barnes & Noble live events organizer who initially invited me to host the original “Get Pop-Cultured” live events.
What follows is an illustrated history of it all.
En-Joy.
Herbie J
With actress/comedian/author Geri Jewell (from TV’s “The Facts of Life”), and actress/voiceover performer/author Kathy Garver (from TV’s “Family Affair”). Credit: The Classic TV Preservation Society
With “Kung Fu” TV series creator Ed Spielman and “CHiPs” TV star Larry Wilcox. Credit: The Classic TV Preservation Society
With iconic actress/comedian/writer Lydia Cornell (from TV’s “Too Close for Comfort”). Credit: Herbie J Pilato
With the legendary singer/songwriter/producer Ron Dante (“The Archies”). Credit: Herbie J Pilato
“Little House on the Prairie” star Dean Butler makes a grand entrance at the special Christmas/Holiday live event at the Burbank Barnes & Noble in December 2015. Credit: Herbie J Pilato
A litany of stars and talent at the Christmas/Holiday Live Event at the Burbank Barnes & Noble in December 2015. Credit: Herbie J Pilato
With actress/author Kathy Coleman (from TV’s “Land of the Lost”) taping her special appearance for the original pitch reel for “Then Again with Herbie J Pilato.” Credit: Dan Holm Photography
With the always lovely actress Caryn Richman, star of “The New Gidget” and “The Bradys.” Credit: Dan Holm Photography
With the Soup Nazi himself: Larry Thomas (from “Seinfeld”). Credit: Dan Holm Photography
With the always gracious, witty and so very pretty Cindy Williams (star of “Laverne & Shirley), one of the first celebrities who offered immediate support for my live events and TV show. Credit: Dan Holm Photography
With the Livingston brothers: Stanley (left) and Barry, the stars of TV’s “My Three Sons,” who appeared on the premiere episode of “Then Again with Herbie J Pilato.” Credit: Dan Holm Photography
With the one and only Ed Asner on the second episode of “Then Again with Herbie J Pilato.” Credit: Dan Holm Photography
With “The Man Wonder,” Burt Ward, star of TV’s classic “Batman” series, a special guest star on “Then Again with Herbie J Pilato.” Credit: Herbie J Pilato
With Marion Ross, Mrs. C from TV’s “Happy Days,” who appeared on the special Garry Marshall tribute episode of “Then Again with Herbie J Pilato.” Credit: David Laurell
The dynamically wonderful stars of “Dark Shadows” on “Then Again with Herbie J Pilato.” From left: Kathryn Leigh Scott, Lara Parker (who has since passed away), and David Selby. Credit: Dan Holm Photography
One tough cookie: Robert Conrad, from TV’s “The Wild Wild West” and “Baa Baa Black Sheep.” Credit: Dan Holm Photography
With Diane Sands - my Number 1 supporter in the early days of the Burbank Barnes & Noble live events. Credit: Herbie J Pilato
With producers Joel Eisenberg and Lorie Girsh Eisenberg (in loving memory). Credit: Herbie J Pilato