Morgan Fairchild: Too Sexy for TV, Pee-Wee Herman, and Hollywood's Golden Era

"I said, John, you know, it's a visual art. You don't give me something to do, at least I'm gonna be something to look at." - Morgan Fairchild 

To celebrate the 100th episode of our podcast 80s TV Ladies, hosts Susan Lambert Hatem and Sharon Johnson welcome actress, activist, and podcaster Morgan Fairchild to discuss her decades-spanning career and how television and auditioning have changed from in-person meetings to self-tapes and fragmented audiences. 

Fairchild recounts moving from Texas to New York after a young divorce, breaking in through open calls, landing Search for Tomorrow, then relocating to Los Angeles and getting an early role on Rafferty with Patrick McGoohan. She explains shaping layered “bad guy” roles with comedy, including Initiation of Sarah, Flamingo Road (and being labeled “too sexy for TV” by the Moral Majority), and Falcon Crest, where she pushed for a promised incest-repercussions storyline and used fashion as a visual hook.

She shares behind-the-scenes stories from Pee-wee’s Big Adventure with Paul Reubens, friendships with classic Hollywood stars, her AIDS activism and COVID education, and her new podcast with sister Catherine Hart, Two Bitches from Texas.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
02:48 How TV Has Changed
04:46 Texas to New York Breakthrough
07:21 First Hollywood Job Story
11:43 Making Characters Pop
13:21 Becoming the Power Bitch
16:25 Too Sexy for TV
18:03 Falcon Crest Storyline Fight
21:38 Pee Wee Movie Chaos
26:27 Old Hollywood Friendships
31:53 Doubts and Survival
33:25 Career Doubts Persist
34:06 Divas Christmas Set
36:20 Sequel Push Lifetime
36:55 AIDS Activism Costs
39:17 Staying Engaged Today
44:29 Podcast With Sister
48:08 Guests And Format
49:33 Naming The Show
53:14 Bonnie And Clyde Double
55:28 Finding The Set and Meeting Warren Beatty
01:00:15 Podcast Plugs Farewell
01:01:55 Call Your Reps
01:02:23 Next Series Tease

AUDIOOGRAPHY
Find Morgan Fairchild at Morganfairchild.com
Listen to Morgan Fairchild and Catherine Hart at their website Two Bitches from Texas or wherever you find your podcasts.

Check out Morgan Fairchild's book, Morgan Fairchild Super Looks, at eBay
Find out more about Catherine Hart's acting classes at her website Heart and Soul
Connect with 80s TV Ladies at 80sTVLadies.com
Take action at 5Calls.org  

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