Episode 230

A Night of Sports and Cinema: Stephane Matteau and Tim Matheson Share Their Journeys

Published on: 19th November, 2024

Host Bill Donohue welcomes former New York Rangers Stanley Cup champ Stephane Matteau, followed by the star of the movie Animal House, Tim Matheson, who talked about his 7 decades in Hollywood.

Stephane Matteau, the former New York Rangers player known for his iconic overtime goal in the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals, shares his memorable experiences and reflections on his career in hockey. He discusses his early influences in sports, including his favorite players and teams growing up in Canada, and even touches on his participation in the Little League World Series. Matteau also recounts the significant moments of his career, including his time playing under Coach Mike Keenan and the emotional impact of his famous goal.

Joining Bill later in the episode is Tim Matheson, the acclaimed actor and director, who discusses his extensive career in Hollywood, including notable roles in classics like "Animal House" and "The West Wing." The conversation delves into Matheson's experiences working with legendary figures, his insights on acting and directing, and his new book, "Damn Glad to Meet You," where he reflects on his seven decades in the entertainment industry.

Show Takeaways:

  • Stephane Matteau reminisces about his childhood hockey heroes like Guy Lafleur and Wayne Gretzky, shaping his passion for the game.
  • Matteau shared insights from his Little League days, mentioning how he and fellow future NHL players excelled together.
  • The iconic goal scored by Matteau in the 1994 Eastern Conference finals remains a cherished moment for Rangers fans.
  • Tim Matheson discusses his extensive acting career, highlighting memorable moments working with legends like Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball.
  • Matheson reflects on the unique experience of filming Animal House alongside John Belushi and the improvisational spirit that fueled the project.
  • The conversation reveals how both guests transitioned from their sports and acting careers into impactful roles off the field and screen.
Transcript
Tim Matheson:

The views expressed in the following program do not necessarily represent those of the staff, management or owners of wgbb.

Brian Graves:

Live from the WGB studios in Merritt, New York, this is Sports Talk New York.

Host:

Good evening and hello again everybody.

Host:

Welcome to Sports Talk New York on WGB in Merrick, Long Island, New York.

Host:

th day of November:

Host:

Power engineer Brian Graves is with us as always, taking care of business.

Host:

We got a nice show for you tonight.

Host:

Up first, we will speak to the great former Rangers left wing who scored what is one of the most iconic goals in Rangers history.

Host:

Stephan Mateau will join us and in the second half will switch gears.

Host:

And welcome in the star of the classic movie Animal House, Tim Matheson joins the show and he has a new book out titled Damn glad to meet you.

Host:

My seven Decades in the Hollywood Trenches.

Host:

And we will reminisce with Tim.

Host:

So sit back, relax, get yourself a drink and a snack.

Host:

Get comfy, enjoy the show.

Host:

Tonight we're going to have some fun.

Host:

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Host:

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Host:

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Host:

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Host:

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Host:

Our first guest, he played over 800 regular season games in the NHL.

Host:

by the Calgary Flames in the:

Host:

oal scored in the run for the:

Host:

We're proud to have him with us tonight.

Host:

I welcome to Sports Talk New York, Stephane Mateau.

Host:

Stefan, good evening.

Stephan Mateau:

Good evening.

Stephan Mateau:

Thanks for having me.

Host:

Lovely to have you aboard.

Host:

Great to have you.

Host:

Now, when you were a kid, Stephan, who were your favorite players and teams while you were growing up in Canada?

Stephan Mateau:

There was two of them.

Stephan Mateau:

The Montreal Canadien, obviously, because I'm from just outside of Montreal, watching Guy Lafleur, Jacques Lemaire Larry Robinson.

Stephan Mateau:

Those dynasty teams won a lot of standing cup in the 70s, so.

Stephan Mateau:

Larry Robinson, so.

Stephan Mateau:

And then when I.

Stephan Mateau:

In the 80s, when I was about 10, 11 years old, I started watching the Edmonton Oilers for the reason, because Wayne Gretzky was on that team and Mark Messi, my future line mate.

Stephan Mateau:

I'm not line mate, but teammate.

Stephan Mateau:

was a Wayne Gretzky jersey in:

Stephan Mateau:

83.

Stephan Mateau:

So there's the two teams I watched.

Stephan Mateau:

And occasionally I would watch the Toronto Maple Leaf on Saturday night.

Stephan Mateau:

But mostly it was the Canadian in the orders.

Host:

Nice.

Host:

Some great names you mentioned there.

Host:

Hall of Famers, and of course a great one, Gretzky.

Host:

You followed some great teams.

Host:

Stefan, now I want to talk a little baseball with you.

Host:

You played in the Little League World Series.

Host:

You played with the hall of Famer Pierre Turjon, who was the first pick in the NHL Draft in 87.

Host:

What positions did you guys play?

Stephan Mateau:

There was only two pitchers back then.

Stephan Mateau:

I know today's rule, there's a pitch count.

Stephan Mateau:

We didn't have such a thing back then.

Stephan Mateau:

So there was only two pitchers, myself and Pierre.

Stephan Mateau:

And when I was not pitching, I was on third base.

Stephan Mateau:

And Pierre, when he was not pitching, he was a center fielder.

Stephan Mateau:

But I have to tell you the little story.

Stephan Mateau:

The year before we end up going to the Canadian Championship in Vancouver and there was four pitchers and four of us end up playing the National Hockey League.

Stephan Mateau:

Myself, Pierre, Eric Gujardi, who played for the Flyers and the Montreal Canadien.

Stephan Mateau:

tico was the backup goalie in:

Stephan Mateau:

So I don't think you'll ever see that again.

Stephan Mateau:

That a 12 year old team, 11 year old team, 4 pitchers end up playing the National Hockey League a few years later.

Host:

Who says that baseball is not popular in Canada?

Host:

Right, Stefan?

Stephan Mateau:

Well, it's popular, but we don't.

Stephan Mateau:

I'm a lot.

Stephan Mateau:

I'm in Florida now.

Stephan Mateau:

There's so many baseball fields.

Stephan Mateau:

ve seen our field in Ruina in:

Stephan Mateau:

We could have made a movie about how we grow.

Stephan Mateau:

And we had to throw rocks away from the field for us to practice.

Stephan Mateau:

There was no such thing as a grass.

Stephan Mateau:

And we had dedicated parents but no knowledge of baseball.

Stephan Mateau:

So it was a miracle summer in:

Host:

Who were your favorite baseball players back then?

Stephan Mateau:

Well, we went to the Little League World Series.

Stephan Mateau:

We finished fourth in the World that year when we came back, we were, we were welcomed by the Montreal Expos.

Stephan Mateau:

So Tim Raines, we met Tim Raines, we met Tim Wallach, we met Warren Mc.

Stephan Mateau:

What's his name?

Host:

Cromartie.

Stephan Mateau:

Yes, that's him.

Stephan Mateau:

And Steve Rogers was there.

Stephan Mateau:

And the late Gary Carter, the great Gary Carter was there.

Stephan Mateau:

Ellis Valentine run the floor.

Stephan Mateau:

was a lot of players back in:

Stephan Mateau:

Even though none of us on the team could speak English, we managed to shake hands and take a few pictures with them.

Host:

Great.

Host:

Yes, some great players on that Expos club.

Host:

They really had a good team back then.

Host:

I really hope that baseball comes back to Montreal now.

Host:

Coach Mike Keenan.

Host:

Stefan, you played for him on four different occasions with the Blackhawks, the Rangers, the Blues and the Panthers.

Host:

What was Coach Keenan's coaching philosophy?

Host:

What did he stress?

Stephan Mateau:

Play hard early in the game, be successful early, but mostly play hard and you're going to have a lot of ice time for the rest of the game.

Stephan Mateau:

He was not afraid to sit out the superstars on the team to set example.

Stephan Mateau:

But good, warm up good.

Stephan Mateau:

If you, if you give an honest effort, you would have a lot of ice time.

Stephan Mateau:

And that's what I try to do my best.

Stephan Mateau:

ing in the Stem cup finals in:

Stephan Mateau:

And.

Stephan Mateau:

nd then I became available in:

Stephan Mateau:

And then in St.

Stephan Mateau:

Louis, Keenan left the blood left, Keenan left the Rangers.

Stephan Mateau:

It was a different team.

Stephan Mateau:

They cleaned house a little bit.

Stephan Mateau:

Then I ended up going to St.

Stephan Mateau:

Louis and then my last year in the NHL, my career wasn't going anywhere.

Stephan Mateau:

I wanted to, I needed some help and I called my buddy Mike if he could help me out in Florida.

Stephan Mateau:

And then they signed me for a one year contract.

Stephan Mateau:

So very grateful that I had a chance to play with one of the toughest, but also one of the most successful coach in the national academy right now.

Host:

Did Coach Keenan influence your style at all?

Host:

Stefan, when you coached in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, did he influence your style of coaching during those days?

Stephan Mateau:

Absolutely.

Stephan Mateau:

I was a type of player, big, big, strong, decent size.

Stephan Mateau:

I wanted to play an easy game because that's what every hockey player.

Stephan Mateau:

We like to score goals, we like to be successful.

Stephan Mateau:

But he brought the best of me, sometimes the hard way, sometimes I thought he was crossing the line.

Stephan Mateau:

But to me, I played 13 years in the National Hockey League because he was.

Stephan Mateau:

He believed in me, he believed in my abilities, but they also.

Stephan Mateau:

He pushed me to the limits where I didn't know I had those.

Stephan Mateau:

I couldn't go.

Stephan Mateau:

So I had a decent career.

Stephan Mateau:

But I think Mike Keenan had something to do with it.

Host:

Yes, that's true.

Host:

And nice you give him credit, Stefan.

Host:

Now, the goal that Stephan Mateau, who's with us tonight on Sports Talk New York, he scored against Martin brodor in the second overtime.

Host:

That was in game seven of the 94 Eastern Conference finals.

Host:

Most people say that that was probably one of the best playoff series in NHL history, the Battle of the Hudson.

Host:

People call it the most famous goal, certainly in Rangers history, and definitely one of the most momentous in 120 years of Stanley cup play.

Host:

You have said, Stephan, that when you scored that goal, you felt as if you had wings, right?

Stephan Mateau:

Absolutely.

Stephan Mateau:

It's weird.

Stephan Mateau:

Like it's 30 years later as we still talk about it, I still have goosebumps just to explain to you how I felt that night.

Stephan Mateau:

You play sports, you dream about moments like this.

Stephan Mateau:

You are 10, 12 years old, playing in a frigid, cold street of Montreal or outside of Quebec City, City.

Stephan Mateau:

And you pretend you have a garbage can on the side of the road, and you pretend this is the Stanley cup and the next goal, you always pretend you are a Wayne Gretzky or Gila Fleur or Mark Messi, and the next goal wins.

Stephan Mateau:

And then we would be carrying the garbage can over our head.

Stephan Mateau:

But that's when you.

Stephan Mateau:

When you become a professional, of course you want to be successful.

Stephan Mateau:

But I was put on a great team.

Stephan Mateau:

Keenan and Neil Smith did a fantastic job of gathering.

Stephan Mateau:

That's such a good team.

Stephan Mateau:

ro of the New York Rangers in:

Stephan Mateau:

So call it luck, call it faith.

Stephan Mateau:

I was put on the ice, and whether it's a lucky goal or not, I don't care 30 years later.

Stephan Mateau:

So it was the most important moment in my life.

Stephan Mateau:

But I find out later on, not admittedly, but a few years later, that was that moment meant so much for the great fans of New York, for the New York Rangers, it sure did.

Host:

And we'll talk about that in a little bit.

Host:

But in the second overtime period, Game 7, Rangers won, Devils won.

Host:

Take us through.

Host:

What happened when you scored that goal?

Stephan Mateau:

Well, it was a breakup play and I had a very good jump on Niedermeier to go their all star defenseman.

Stephan Mateau:

And because he was such a good skater, even though I beat him in the corner, he kind of caught up to me pretty quick.

Stephan Mateau:

And I ended up going around the net, did not have a plan whatsoever.

Stephan Mateau:

And I.

Stephan Mateau:

Because I was standing almost on top of the net when I saw the puck entering and when I saw the puck cross the red line, I knew the puck was in.

Stephan Mateau:

I knew it was a good goal, and I knew that we were going to the standing cup final.

Stephan Mateau:

So my first thought was, we are going to the Stanley Cup Final and we don't have a chance to win.

Stephan Mateau:

But I didn't think about my personal success or personal fame later on.

Stephan Mateau:

I was very grateful to.

Stephan Mateau:

So I was able to participate in the scoring.

Stephan Mateau:

But also that was my second overtime goal.

Stephan Mateau:

Game 3 in New Jersey, I scored another one that I was very pleased with.

Stephan Mateau:

But nothing compared to game seven at the Garden right now.

Host:

There was a kind of delayed action because nobody saw the puck go in but you.

Host:

I guess Adam Graves had said there was a moment of silence before anybody realized what had happened.

Stephan Mateau:

Yeah, absolutely.

Stephan Mateau:

Every time the puck.

Stephan Mateau:

When you're in the situation, I find out later on that every time you put in a situation like this and every time in the second, third, fourth overtime in a crucial game, especially a game seven, it doesn't matter.

Stephan Mateau:

It doesn't matter which round.

Stephan Mateau:

Every time the puck is near the net, there's always silence.

Stephan Mateau:

There's always.

Stephan Mateau:

People are nervous, exciting, excited, and they.

Stephan Mateau:

And then they lost.

Stephan Mateau:

They lost track where the puck was, was.

Stephan Mateau:

And.

Stephan Mateau:

But to me, I had the perfect angle, like you said, I had the perfect angle and I saw the puck going in very, very slowly, to my surprise.

Host:

Right?

Host:

And there it was.

Host:

Now, what was it like, Stefan, in the handshake line afterwards?

Host:

I mean, the Devils must have been devastated.

Host:

You've been in that position before.

Host:

What is that feeling like?

Stephan Mateau:

Well, we all been in that position when you play for a few years before.

Stephan Mateau:

We lost to Pittsburgh in the finals in four games.

Stephan Mateau:

We were very disappointed.

Stephan Mateau:

But to get to that point, you win the first, second and third round, you're very happy.

Stephan Mateau:

But we had such a.

Stephan Mateau:

How can I describe that?

Stephan Mateau:

We had the most respected team in the national.

Stephan Mateau:

In the NHL in 94 with the Devils, two best team in the league.

Stephan Mateau:

Two older team, very respected team.

Stephan Mateau:

When we shook hands, it was all respect.

Stephan Mateau:

And they all wish us good luck in the finals.

Stephan Mateau:

I know they were disappointed.

Stephan Mateau:

We were happy, but we didn't showcase.

Stephan Mateau:

We didn't humiliate them before, during or after the handshake.

Stephan Mateau:

So that was our team.

Stephan Mateau:

We were very grateful, but also we were very calm and focused for the next round.

Host:

That's the way to go about it, Stephon.

Host:

That's a good way to tell the kids out there how to lose.

Host:

And that's very important.

Host:

Stephan Matteau with us tonight on Sports Talk New York.

Host:

Now, that wasn't the only goal you scored in the second overtime period in that series.

Host:

You also did that in game three.

Host:

As you said, quick backhand off a scramble in front of Marty Brodeur gave the Rangers a 32 victory over in the Meadowlands.

Host:

You scored both those goals on the great Martin Brodeur.

Host:

Talk to us a little bit about Marty, Stefan.

Stephan Mateau:

Well, he was a rookie.

Stephan Mateau:

I was in my third year in the National Hockey League.

Stephan Mateau:

I was the third youngest player, the third youngest Ranger that year.

Stephan Mateau:

94, Kovalev and Carpenter younger than me.

Stephan Mateau:

Marty was a rookie.

Stephan Mateau:

He was so talented, big, strong, loose out there.

Stephan Mateau:

And I found out later on he became the most successful goaltender in the world that run in the NHL.

Stephan Mateau:

And then I have to tell you a little story.

Stephan Mateau:

When my son played his first NHL game against the Islanders in New York, my family, we were in the stands watching the game and we waited for him after the game to give him a big hug.

Stephan Mateau:

And Marty brother was the first and only player from the Devils at that time.

Stephan Mateau:

He came into the stands and he came to shake our hands and he told us, he told the family that he was going to take care of my son.

Stephan Mateau:

So to find out who also, he was a great player, but he was also a very, very classy human being and really admire for that reason, as.

Host:

I was going to say, Stefan.

Host:

Yeah, all class from Martin Brodeur.

Stephan Mateau:

Now.

Host:

The call of that great goal.

Host:

I don't have the snippet of tape from that, but I'll repeat it for you folks out there.

Host:

Mateau swoops in to intercept.

Host:

Mateau behind the net.

Host:

Swings it in front.

Host:

He scores.

Host:

Mateau.

Host:

Mateau.

Host:

Mateau.

Host:

Stefan.

Host:

Mateau.

Host:

And the Rangers have one more hill to climb, baby.

Host:

But it's Mount Vancouver.

Host:

The Rangers, Rangers are headed to the finals.

Host:

Now that was the immortal call from the great Howie Rose, who really himself is a New York institution and a broadcasting legend.

Host:

You guys are linked forever.

Host:

Now, how did your relationship with Howie change after the goal and the cup?

Host:

Stefan?

Stephan Mateau:

Well, that was a pretty good call by you.

Stephan Mateau:

Thank you very much.

Stephan Mateau:

To recap how we in the goal, it took me years to be friends with Howie, like, he.

Stephan Mateau:

I didn't hear.

Stephan Mateau:

We didn't have the Internet back then, if I recall.

Stephan Mateau:

We didn't have any cell phone at the time.

Stephan Mateau:

So I didn't.

Stephan Mateau:

I didn't hear the call for months and months and months later.

Stephan Mateau:

Wow.

Stephan Mateau:

They.

Stephan Mateau:

We went on a lockout.

Stephan Mateau:

We won the Cup.

Stephan Mateau:

Two weeks later, I went home in Quebec.

Stephan Mateau:

We didn't start the season until next January because the lockout.

Stephan Mateau:

So I never heard a call, didn't hear.

Stephan Mateau:

My friends from New York never called me about, hey, there's a call on the radio that keeps on playing over and over.

Stephan Mateau:

So it took me a while.

Stephan Mateau:

And then the last maybe 20 years, on May 27th in the morning, I always received a text from Howie, and he always mentioned the goal, the moment, and let's keep it up and just.

Stephan Mateau:

We've been friends the last 10 years, maybe we play.

Stephan Mateau:

We play golf once in a while in Florida together.

Stephan Mateau:

Every time I go see the Mets, I was there for two games in the playoff when the Mets play the Dodgers.

Host:

Yeah, I saw you on tv.

Host:

Yeah.

Stephan Mateau:

So my first thought, my first action is to go to the booth, give him a big hug.

Stephan Mateau:

And because Howie is one of the kindest human being on the planet, he.

Stephan Mateau:

You cannot talk about the success that he has because he's so humble, and I love to be next to him, bring us some great memories.

Stephan Mateau:

But what a career that he has that he's having in hockey and also in baseball.

Stephan Mateau:

So I'm glad that I'm sharing that moment with him.

Host:

Yeah, that was certainly tremendous, and I'm glad you and Howie have that relationship.

Host:

And I'm a Met fan, Stefan, so I know his talent and his definite love for the Mets, and he does a great job, and we look forward to hearing him every spring, that is for sure.

Host:

Now, when you joined the Rangers, Stephon, were you apprehensive about meeting your idol, Mark Messier?

Stephan Mateau:

That happened very quick.

Stephan Mateau:

I remember getting the call the day before in Chicago.

Stephan Mateau:

Like I said, we didn't have the Internet.

Stephan Mateau:

We didn't have the cell phone, didn't hear any rumors where I might be traded or not.

Stephan Mateau:

And then when I get the call, when I went in the office in Chicago, it told me I got traded to the Rangers.

Stephan Mateau:

It took took a while to realize, well, I have a chance to win the Stamina Cup.

Stephan Mateau:

And then we flew, Brian Noonan and I, we flew to Calgary the next day.

Stephan Mateau:

Took us the whole day to get there.

Stephan Mateau:

And when we got to the rink, we had to focus on the game because we Were we got to the rink around 5, 5:30.

Stephan Mateau:

We shook hands with everyone.

Stephan Mateau:

Then we have to focus on our sticks and the new equipment, the new gloves, the new pants that you have to wear, the new helmet and everything.

Stephan Mateau:

So you have to focus.

Stephan Mateau:

And then the game started.

Stephan Mateau:

And then the next day I realized, wow, I'm sitting next to Marc Messier and all the great Rangers that we now they're going to be my teammates because we played them a few weeks before and they destroyed us, I think eight nothing.

Stephan Mateau:

And I could not believe how good they were.

Stephan Mateau:

So that's why I was a little shocked when I got traded to them.

Stephan Mateau:

I said that many, many times.

Stephan Mateau:

I didn't think I was going to have a key role.

Stephan Mateau:

I thought I was there just in case someone was going to be injured.

Stephan Mateau:

And then I would step into any situation.

Stephan Mateau:

To my surprise, I was put on the line with Kovalev and Larmor on my very first game.

Stephan Mateau:

And that was my line for Trout for the rest of the season.

Host:

And you capitalized on it.

Host:

Excuse me.

Host:

That is for sure.

Host:

Now, we spoke a little earlier about how the great goal still affects you, but I don't know if you realize we touched on a little bit earlier the impact you had on others.

Host:

I mean, the Rangers are a storied, legendary franchise, one of the original six in the NHL.

Host:

They've had some legendary hockey names have passed through the portals of Madison Square Garden, both the old one and the new one.

Host:

You really affected people's lives, Stefan.

Stephan Mateau:

Well, like I said, it took me a while to realize it.

Stephan Mateau:

My first game back as an alumni, I was signing autograph and one of the security people asked me and said, how do you want to go along with sign an autograph?

Stephan Mateau:

I said, well, I never said no to an autograph, but I said, how many people there there is.

Stephan Mateau:

For how many people do you want me to sign?

Stephan Mateau:

And he goes, look around.

Stephan Mateau:

And people kind of did half the rank at Madison Square Garden, the former line, to get my autograph.

Stephan Mateau:

That was the first time they see me back at the Garden.

Stephan Mateau:

And I was overwhelmed.

Stephan Mateau:

And There was like 10 minutes left in the game.

Stephan Mateau:

And I told the security people, close the line at the end and let's get to work.

Stephan Mateau:

So I signed autographs.

Stephan Mateau:

I signed maybe two, 300 autographs at the last 10 minutes.

Stephan Mateau:

But that's my life the last 30 years.

Stephan Mateau:

I get recognized often when I go back to the Garden.

Stephan Mateau:

I struggled with a lot of things in my personal life, but every time I come to the Garden, the fan, the Great fan.

Stephan Mateau:

They make me believe that I'm bigger than sometimes bigger than life.

Stephan Mateau:

Sometimes I don't believe it, but I think I became a very good ambassador for that moment.

Stephan Mateau:

Not everyone deals with it the same way.

Stephan Mateau:

I get it now.

Stephan Mateau:

And the fans, sometimes I see their little shy to meet me.

Stephan Mateau:

I'm the one now who goes forward and introduce myself, taking pictures, sending autographs, talking to the kids.

Stephan Mateau:

But I don't know how many times I get hugs from strangers.

Stephan Mateau:

And it's weird because they hug me and they don't want to let go.

Stephan Mateau:

The man could be 80 years old.

Stephan Mateau:

for what you accomplished in:

Stephan Mateau:

So at some point, how can you not respect that?

Stephan Mateau:

And like I said, it's my life the last 30 years, and I want to keep it going nice.

Host:

I mean, as I said, you affected people's lives.

Host:

You deal with it in a great way.

Host:

The Ranger fans are really a loyal bunch.

Host:

They've stuck with that team:

Host:

So they got a good chance this year.

Host:

So we'll see what happens.

Host:

Your son and your daughter played hockey?

Stephan Mateau:

My daughter played.

Stephan Mateau:

She's been retired for a few years.

Stephan Mateau:

She was very good.

Stephan Mateau:

She was a defenseman and in Quebec, I wanted to send her.

Stephan Mateau:

I left home when I was 15.

Stephan Mateau:

A lot of hockey players, if you want to be.

Stephan Mateau:

If you want to have a career out of it, you need to at some point make that tough decision to leave home.

Stephan Mateau:

So I sent my daughter Allison to Lake Placid because Mike Richter went to Lake Placid and he.

Stephan Mateau:

He kind of preached for the school, that Northwood school that he went to.

Stephan Mateau:

So she went there for two years.

Stephan Mateau:

She was recruited by about 15 different schools in college, and she decided to go to Maine University, which she played for four years, to retire after that.

Stephan Mateau:

So my son was drafted to by:

Stephan Mateau:

Was drafted by the Devils in the first round, and Mr.

Stephan Mateau:

Lamorello thought it was a great pick.

Stephan Mateau:

Steph played a few games for the Devils and then he went on to play for different teams.

Stephan Mateau:

He's still playing right now.

Stephan Mateau:

He's 31 years old.

Stephan Mateau:

He still plays.

Stephan Mateau:

He's in the American Hockey League in Cleveland for the Blue Jackets farm team.

Stephan Mateau:

So the kid, he's the captain there.

Stephan Mateau:

He's a great leader.

Stephan Mateau:

He's got two kids, and I'm so proud of both of them.

Stephan Mateau:

I'm so proud Also for my son that he keeps on playing because it's not easy to have the same name and to be in the shadow of the New York Ranger legend at some point.

Stephan Mateau:

And the reporters kept on asking him early in his career that are you going to how many score how many goals and overtime you're going to score in your life.

Stephan Mateau:

I thought it was unfair, but my son kind of dealt with it very, very professionally and I'm very proud of that.

Host:

Stephon Matteau with us tonight on Sports Talk New York Now.

Host:

It's kind of ironic, Stephon, that he was drafted by the team that you scored your goal against.

Host:

It's like they were trying to break a curse or something there with the Devils picking your son.

Stephan Mateau:

Well, Mr.

Stephan Mateau:

Lamarello is one of the best executive person in the National Archae League history.

Host:

Right?

Stephan Mateau:

Very classy man.

Stephan Mateau:

He met the family after the, during the draft, after the draft.

Stephan Mateau:

And I really believed that he was going to take care of them, which he did.

Stephan Mateau:

And to be drafted, it's one thing.

Stephan Mateau:

To make the team, it's one thing.

Stephan Mateau:

But to stay in the National Hockey League for a long period of time, it's a different world.

Stephan Mateau:

And Steph Jr.

Stephan Mateau:

Played about 75 games, 80 games in the NHL career in 12 year, 13 year career.

Stephan Mateau:

But he still plays.

Stephan Mateau:

He's still very passionate about the game.

Stephan Mateau:

But it's pretty ironic that Mr.

Stephan Mateau:

Lamorello drafted my son in:

Host:

Right here we have Lou out here on Long island now, Stephan with the Islanders, and he's doing a pretty good job there.

Host:

They're having a rough start, but looking for them to come around with Patrick Wahr behind the bench there.

Host:

Before we go, I want to ask you about your foundation.

Host:

Can you tell us more about that?

Stephan Mateau:

Well, when I retired 24 years ago, 23 years ago already, you take a few years off, you don't know what to do.

Stephan Mateau:

I didn't know what to do at the time.

Stephan Mateau:

And I too, I own a restaurant.

Stephan Mateau:

I didn't like it.

Stephan Mateau:

I try.

Stephan Mateau:

I own a travel agency.

Stephan Mateau:

I did many, many things to realize I didn't like it, any of that.

Stephan Mateau:

So I then I went, I went to a school in Pennsylvania.

Stephan Mateau:

A friend of mine, Steve Capu Ferry, he owns a private school, trouble kids who had they having a rough start in life and they bring athletes to support them, to talk to them.

Stephan Mateau:

And the first time I visited those kids, I saw an impact that I brought to them.

Stephan Mateau:

So I worked for Steve for 10 straight years.

Stephan Mateau:

I would drive from Montreal to Pennsylvania once a month and then as someone in New York, I started my own program in New York and then I'm in about 25, 30 schools here in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens.

Stephan Mateau:

And we started the Stefan Matthew Foundation.

Stephan Mateau:

We raise money, we try to buy some clothes for the kids.

Stephan Mateau:

We try to feed families in needs.

Stephan Mateau:

We a lot of things that we try to do and there's so many different foundations out there and mine is special to my heart because I know I can.

Stephan Mateau:

My wife and I, we do, we have an impact on those families and the kids in need.

Host:

You certainly do.

Host:

Folks can check out the Stefan Matteau foundation online.

Host:

There's a website.

Host:

What's the address for the website?

Host:

Stefan?

Stephan Mateau:

The Stefan Matteu foundation.com I think if I recall it so people can donate.

Stephan Mateau:

I've done a few events last year.

Stephan Mateau:

A lot of people, the kids I try to, I struggle growing up with my anxiety attack.

Stephan Mateau:

I get bullied.

Stephan Mateau:

So my program is built on anti bullying.

Stephan Mateau:

Try to help the kids who the most shy kids in the program.

Stephan Mateau:

I can explain to them how shy I was when I was 12 years old.

Stephan Mateau:

And so I turn on.

Stephan Mateau:

It's a program, I'm very proud of it.

Host:

Wonderful.

Host:

Well, Stefan Mateau, it's been a pleasure.

Host:

Thank you for taking time out of your Sunday night to spend some with us out here on Long island at Sports Talk New York.

Host:

Thanks to your lovely wife sue for helping set this up for us and we wish you all the best.

Stephan Mateau:

Thank you for having me.

Stephan Mateau:

Thank you very much.

Host:

That is Stephane Mateau, ladies and gentlemen.

Host:

Up next on Sports Talk New York, we will speak to the great actor Tim Matheson.

Host:

Stay with us, folks.

Brian Graves:

Foreign, you are listening to Sports Talk New York.

Stephan Mateau:

Tune in every Sunday night at 8pm.

Brian Graves:

FM and:

Brian Graves:

Instagram @WGB sports dog.

Brian Graves:

You're listening to Sports Talk New York on Long Island's wgb.

Brian Graves:

And now back to the show.

Host:

All right, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, we are back with Sports Talk New York on wgb.

Host:

I'd like to thank you for stopping by and hanging with us on this fine soft evening after a beautiful autumnal Sunday on Long Island.

Host:

As usual, the jets lose.

Host:

The awards week in Major League Baseball is this week.

Host:

Rookie of the Year Monday, Manager of the Year Tuesday, Cy Young on Wednesday and the MVP on Thursday.

Host:

Then the winter meetings come up in early December, a hall of fame announcement will take place and who's counting?

Host:

But there's 86 days until pitchers and catchers, folks, so we can look forward to that.

Host:

Well, our next guest, he's a two time prime time Emmy award nominated actor and director.

Host:

He's dedicated his career to show business.

Host:

He's best known for his roles in Animal House, the West Wing, Magnum Force, Fletch, and of course Virgin river, among many, many others.

Host:

His new book is a tremendous read, folks, and it's titled Damn glad to meet you.

Host:

My seven Decades in the Hollywood Trenches.

Host:

I welcome to the show tonight, Tim Matheson.

Host:

Tim, good evening.

Stephan Mateau:

Hey.

Tim Matheson:

Hi, Bill.

Tim Matheson:

How are you doing?

Tim Matheson:

I'm glad to be here.

Host:

We're doing great, Tim.

Host:

Going great.

Host:

Thanks for taking some time for us.

Host:

Now, how did you get started acting at such a young age?

Tim Matheson:

You know, I just always wanted to be an actor.

Tim Matheson:

And my, the guy my mom worked for had a son my age who had an agent, got sent out for stuff and he didn't get certain parts.

Tim Matheson:

And then they said, well, why don't we just send Tim out too?

Tim Matheson:

So I lucked, I fell into that, you know, But I'd always wanted to be an actor.

Tim Matheson:

So it was like.

Tim Matheson:

That was, it was great.

Host:

Yeah, it sure was.

Host:

Now you played Mike Harmon and I watch Beaver every morning, few episodes of Leave it to Beaver.

Host:

Still watching it.

Host:

I'm a fan.

Host:

I've had Jerry Mathers on the program a couple of times.

Host:

You got any good stories from the Beaver set, Tim?

Tim Matheson:

Well, I gotta say, I made the cut.

Tim Matheson:

The Beaver invited me.

Tim Matheson:

Jerry Mathers invited me over to his house for my first Hollywood party.

Tim Matheson:

And it was, it was pretty spectacular.

Tim Matheson:

It was a pool party.

Tim Matheson:

And, you know, a lot of young actresses were there.

Tim Matheson:

I mean, you know, what are we, 14, 15?

Tim Matheson:

So it was like I thought I had arrived, you know.

Host:

Yeah, well, you did well.

Host:

I mean, you were no Larry Mondello, let's put it that way, Tim.

Host:

But, you know, you did well.

Host:

Now also the voice of Johnny Quest.

Host:

How does one get a voiceover role like that?

Tim Matheson:

You know, what happens is I outgrew my kid acting.

Tim Matheson:

You know, my Beaver days, I just, you know, like I shot up maybe, you know, five or six inches.

Tim Matheson:

I didn't look like I was 12 anymore.

Tim Matheson:

So there was sort of a slowdown in getting those parts.

Tim Matheson:

And I just got an audition to go up and over to Hanna Barbera and do cartoon voice work.

Tim Matheson:

And luckily I got the job and, you know, because they wanted somebody who was, you know, sounded like A real kid.

Tim Matheson:

Not like some.

Tim Matheson:

Because it wasn't like the Flintstones or the Jetsons, which were shows that they did at the time.

Tim Matheson:

So.

Tim Matheson:

Yeah, so I just got lucky.

Tim Matheson:

Yeah.

Host:

Great legendary show, Johnny Quest.

Host:

Now yours, mine and ours.

Host:

We saw that in the movies when we were kids.

Host:

You played Henry Fonda's oldest son.

Host:

Now, any interactions or lessons learned from the legends Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball?

Tim Matheson:

Well, both, you know, I mean, as being a young actor at that point, I got a chance to work with some, you know, the greats from the golden age, you know.

Tim Matheson:

And then Lucy came up through vaudeville and, you know, the 40s and features, and Henry as well, you know, and he was a theater actor.

Tim Matheson:

Henry basically just said.

Tim Matheson:

I asked him, how does he approach acting?

Tim Matheson:

He said, basically, I walk in the room, I hit my mark, I look him in the eye and I tell him the truth.

Tim Matheson:

And it's just that simple.

Tim Matheson:

And he.

Tim Matheson:

That was his strength, was he?

Tim Matheson:

You didn't really see him acting.

Tim Matheson:

Now, Lucy, on the other hand, is a broad, physical comic.

Tim Matheson:

And, you know, that takes tremendous skill and preparation and rehearsal.

Tim Matheson:

And she was a taskmaster when she was on the set because most of the scenes with her were broad comic scenes.

Tim Matheson:

And so she required all of us kids to really be prepared.

Tim Matheson:

And, you know, also, I think she liked me because we had some very sort of normal scenes together.

Tim Matheson:

And I auditioned for her many times, and she just.

Tim Matheson:

I think she thought I was just too sensitive, and so she tried to toughen me up a bit.

Tim Matheson:

You know, she just, you know, entertainment business is a full contact sport.

Tim Matheson:

That was her approach.

Tim Matheson:

Yeah.

Host:

Well, you certainly took that to heart.

Host:

And Magnum Force, we remember you in Magnum Force working with Clint Eastwood.

Host:

How was that?

Tim Matheson:

Yes.

Tim Matheson:

Oh, it was great.

Tim Matheson:

I mean, I was the first cop to get killed, Officer Sweet.

Tim Matheson:

And, you know, Clint, he was like Henry Fonda.

Tim Matheson:

I mean, he was just so simple.

Tim Matheson:

The first day we worked together, I offered to, you know, rehearse with him and run lines.

Tim Matheson:

And he said, no, no, I just.

Tim Matheson:

I think there's something special about the first time that the lines are set on camera, because he did.

Tim Matheson:

He felt the more you rehearsed, the more practiced it got, the more artificial it got.

Tim Matheson:

So he liked that.

Tim Matheson:

Just sort of rough edges about it, you know, And I didn't understand that.

Tim Matheson:

I thought, oh, you need to rehearse a lot.

Tim Matheson:

Until I got into the scene with him and I just felt how real he was and how truthful and honest he was.

Tim Matheson:

And he listened so carefully, and he was just.

Tim Matheson:

He Was one.

Tim Matheson:

I went home that night thinking, this guy is such a great actor.

Tim Matheson:

He's a wonderful actor.

Tim Matheson:

And you don't see him doing anything.

Tim Matheson:

He's just very strong.

Tim Matheson:

And, you know, I learned a lot from him, you know, about acting and directing, you know, so I must say.

Tim Matheson:

And each of those jobs that I had, you know, through my career, I was in a special place at a special time with, like, Lucy and Henry Fonda and Jackie Gleason and Bob Hope.

Tim Matheson:

And here with Clint, you know, these are the greats.

Tim Matheson:

And Clint's now.

Tim Matheson:

He's got a movie coming out now.

Tim Matheson:

He's what, 93?

Tim Matheson:

Yeah, he's just, he's amazing.

Host:

Still rolling?

Host:

Yeah.

Tim Matheson:

Yeah, Right.

Host:

We're speaking with Tim Matheson tonight on the program now, Animal House, as we said the other night when I met you in Huntington, I was in a fraternity, Delta Kappa Kappa, also maroon color, at SUNY Oswego on the shores of Lake Ontario up there where you get 12ft of snow every winter.

Host:

We went to see Animal House after Greek social hour, which was.

Tim Matheson:

Oh, my God.

Host:

Yeah.

Host:

50 cents for all the amber colored adult beverages you can enjoy.

Host:

We were rolling beers back and forth down the aisle.

Host:

So I basically lived the movie.

Host:

Now, you were one of the few in the cast with any acting experience.

Tim Matheson:

Yeah, I, you know, I've been around at that point.

Tim Matheson:

I was, I think I was 29 to 30 when I was doing that part.

Tim Matheson:

So I've been around for, you know, 16 to 18 years.

Tim Matheson:

And I.

Tim Matheson:

But that was my first comedy, so it was really a big leap for me.

Tim Matheson:

And it was, you know, it was a.

Tim Matheson:

It was a big risk.

Tim Matheson:

And I must say, John Belushi was very helpful and very supportive for me and helped me a lot, you know, on that.

Host:

Yeah.

Host:

Now, I had read where they considered Chevy Chase for the role of Otter originally.

Tim Matheson:

Oh, yeah, true.

Tim Matheson:

They wanted Chevy.

Tim Matheson:

The studio wanted Chevy.

Tim Matheson:

The studio wanted Chevy because, you know, he was a.

Tim Matheson:

A bigger name than me.

Tim Matheson:

But the director, John Landis, wanted basically real actors to be around John Belushi because he didn't, you know, he wanted to keep the comedy grounded.

Tim Matheson:

He didn't want it to be a Saturday Night Live sketch.

Host:

Right.

Host:

Yeah.

Host:

And they certainly did that by bringing you aboard.

Host:

Now, any truth to the rumor that there were fights between the cast members and the locals up there?

Tim Matheson:

Oh, yeah.

Tim Matheson:

The SAE guys kicked our ass.

Tim Matheson:

Oh, yeah.

Tim Matheson:

Oh, yeah.

Tim Matheson:

Because we watched it.

Tim Matheson:

We didn't know.

Tim Matheson:

I met a couple of young ladies at one fraternity party we've gone to, which was the place where we were shooting.

Tim Matheson:

So they were friendly with us and they said, yeah, come to our party.

Tim Matheson:

And then these young ladies invited us to say, we'll go to the SAE House.

Tim Matheson:

It's a great place.

Tim Matheson:

The best campus on the best fraternity on campus.

Tim Matheson:

So we went over there and just walked in like we owned the place.

Tim Matheson:

And big surprise, they did not want us there.

Host:

Yeah.

Tim Matheson:

They said, you don't belong here.

Tim Matheson:

This is only us.

Tim Matheson:

Get out of here.

Stephan Mateau:

And then they.

Tim Matheson:

They were all drunk.

Tim Matheson:

Anyway, so they.

Tim Matheson:

One thing, some words led to another, Someone from our group threw a beer, and then all hell broke out.

Host:

Yeah.

Host:

College fund.

Tim Matheson:

Sure.

Host:

Now, did Belushi improvise the scene going into the admin building when Flounder shoots the horse?

Host:

Did he improvise that whole gag?

Stephan Mateau:

Oh, the dad.

Tim Matheson:

I mean, yeah, his.

Tim Matheson:

You know, he was such an amazing improviser and just, you know, he was.

Tim Matheson:

He was great.

Tim Matheson:

He was so wonderful to work with and, you know, it was just a treat.

Tim Matheson:

And then he'd only be with us three days a week, you know, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and then Wednesday night he'd head back to New York and then do Saturday Night Live, you know, rehearse Thursday, Friday, and then recorded on Saturday.

Host:

Did you have any idea, Tim, that Animal House would be the monster that it became?

Stephan Mateau:

No.

Tim Matheson:

I mean, you sort of hope and you think maybe, but you never know until you get in front of an audience, you know?

Tim Matheson:

And I heard, the first time I ever heard it, played it, ran in front of.

Tim Matheson:

They screened it in a sneak preview in front of fraternity Denver on a fraternity gathering weekend.

Tim Matheson:

And so a large part of the audience were fraternity members, and they went crazy.

Tim Matheson:

You couldn't hear the dialogue.

Tim Matheson:

It was so nuts.

Tim Matheson:

And that was.

Tim Matheson:

First time I thought, well, this.

Tim Matheson:

This really could be something.

Tim Matheson:

Who knows?

Host:

Well, that's what we did in that theater in Oswego.

Host:

We.

Host:

We repeated every line before it was said.

Host:

We ruined the movie for the other patrons in the theater, you know, but, hell, we had a good time.

Host:

That.

Tim Matheson:

That's.

Host:

That's all that matters.

Tim Matheson:

Yeah.

Tim Matheson:

The trick is just to enjoy yourself.

Host:

That's it.

Host:

Yeah, that is it.

Host:

Now, you auditioned for the role of Indiana Jones for Raiders, right?

Tim Matheson:

I did.

Tim Matheson:

Like, well, yeah, there was a ton of actors in Hollywood who did, and I just.

Tim Matheson:

I knew I was too young, but I had a good take on it, and I did, you know, I did my best sort of Clint Eastwood interpretation.

Tim Matheson:

I didn't rehearse it too much, and I just, you know, hit my marks, looked him in the eye and told him the truth, you know, And I worked with Karen Allen on that.

Tim Matheson:

And Lucas.

Tim Matheson:

Lucas, you know, George Lucas called me in and said, you know, we're going another way.

Tim Matheson:

You're too young, but I'd love to talk to you.

Tim Matheson:

And I went in and talked to him, and he said, you did the best test.

Tim Matheson:

It was great.

Tim Matheson:

But, you know, we just.

Tim Matheson:

You're just too young.

Tim Matheson:

So it's like.

Tim Matheson:

Yeah, I get it.

Host:

Yeah, yeah.

Host:

Bed break there.

Host:

Now.

Host:

Mel Brooks and Ann Bancroft, to be or not to be two more legends you're working with.

Tim Matheson:

Yeah, yeah.

Tim Matheson:

I mean, he's the godfather of comedy, I think.

Tim Matheson:

You know, I mean, he's just.

Tim Matheson:

He's amazing.

Tim Matheson:

And Anne Bancroft was the first lady.

Tim Matheson:

I mean, she was just the most elegant, refined, wonderful actor and just also just the dearest woman.

Tim Matheson:

So.

Tim Matheson:

And, you know, and they were.

Tim Matheson:

They were so happily married.

Tim Matheson:

It was a joy to be around them.

Tim Matheson:

Cuckoo.

Host:

Ca choo.

Host:

Mrs.

Host:

Robinson.

Host:

That's all I have to say.

Tim Matheson:

Yeah, I hear you.

Host:

We are honored to have Tim Matheson on the show with us tonight.

Host:

Now, the recurring role is John Hoynes in the West Wing.

Host:

What a great job you did with that.

Host:

That's where you got your two Primetime Emmy nominations.

Host:

Talk about the West Wing for the fans out there, Tim.

Tim Matheson:

Well, it was, you know, it's about politics at another time.

Tim Matheson:

And it was, you know, getting a chance to work with Aaron Sorkin, one of the finest scriptwriters, screenwriters in history, you know, and he's just.

Tim Matheson:

He continues to set the mark higher and higher every time he works.

Tim Matheson:

And so it was a real treat.

Tim Matheson:

And the best group of actors I think I've ever worked with in a show.

Tim Matheson:

And you just had to have people who were really exceptional to handle that dialogue because he'd like to do it all in one take.

Tim Matheson:

That's why we had those long walk and talks.

Tim Matheson:

You know, those two people walking down the hallways, talking as fast as you could because they're smart and they're in a hurry and they're, you know, and they're trying to save the world, you know, so it was.

Tim Matheson:

It was.

Tim Matheson:

It was a very noble show.

Tim Matheson:

They were wonderful, wonderful actors.

Tim Matheson:

And it was just.

Tim Matheson:

It was like playing.

Tim Matheson:

It was like playing tennis at Wimbledon, you know.

Tim Matheson:

It was just.

Tim Matheson:

It was pretty special.

Host:

Yeah, great job on that.

Host:

Now, you.

Host:

You directed episodes of Third Watch, Twilight Zone, of course, the West Wing, Criminal Minds and Burn Notice.

Host:

Yeah, yeah.

Host:

You always.

Host:

You had a recurring role there.

Host:

Now, what.

Host:

What do you like about directing versus Being in front of the camera, Tim.

Tim Matheson:

It'S good to be king.

Tim Matheson:

You know, it's.

Stephan Mateau:

It's.

Tim Matheson:

Yeah, it's.

Tim Matheson:

It's.

Tim Matheson:

It's a different approach.

Tim Matheson:

I mean, you know, and basically you're there to, you know, support the writer and make sure that their story gets told correctly and to help the actors do that job.

Tim Matheson:

And so, but it's.

Tim Matheson:

But you're involved in, you know, choosing wardrobe and casting and location, so you're involved in everything from the very beginning.

Tim Matheson:

Whereas an actor just comes in and performs, you know, which is not an easy thing.

Tim Matheson:

But there's a lot more to directing, and it was very challenging, and I always like to set the bar higher and just try something new.

Host:

Right now.

Host:

Since:

Host:

Everybody loves Virgin River.

Host:

When is it coming back?

Tim Matheson:

For the new season, we drop December 19, season six, and then we are going to start shooting season seven in March of 25.

Tim Matheson:

So we're, you know, it's just, you know, at this point in my career, it's just like, wow, to find a character that I love playing that much and in a show that I enjoy doing and.

Tim Matheson:

And that, you know, the landscape is constantly changing around us and, you know, the situation has changed from year to year, so.

Tim Matheson:

And it's great.

Tim Matheson:

Netflix is a wonderful place to work and because, you know, people, they can look at a whole season in a day or a weekend.

Tim Matheson:

It's crazy.

Tim Matheson:

You know, it's so different than things were, like, on network tv.

Tim Matheson:

But it's an exciting transition.

Tim Matheson:

You know, it's great.

Host:

Beautiful locations.

Host:

Tim, where do you film?

Tim Matheson:

Oh, thanks.

Host:

Yeah.

Tim Matheson:

Vancouver Bridge, Columbia.

Host:

Nice.

Host:

Yeah.

Host:

What a beautiful set that.

Host:

That is.

Host:

What can we expect?

Host:

Do you have any nuggets to drop for the fans out here?

Tim Matheson:

Gosh, I mean, you know, I just.

Tim Matheson:

My main thing is just, I try not to say twice.

Tim Matheson:

Yeah.

Tim Matheson:

And just don't take it so seriously and enjoy yourself and create a team to work with because it's like sports, you know, the more likely you are to have people around you that can help you and, you know, shore you up when you need some help and shore them up when they need some help, you know, I mean, that's what we're all there for.

Tim Matheson:

And then you don't feel so bad if you win or lose, you know.

Tim Matheson:

So I think that's it for me.

Tim Matheson:

I like the team.

Host:

Do we have to wait to find out what happens with Doc Mullins sight?

Tim Matheson:

Yeah, that's taken care of pretty quickly in season six.

Tim Matheson:

So we'll find that out real soon.

Host:

Okay.

Host:

Yeah, we got that.

Tim Matheson:

Yeah.

Tim Matheson:

Yes, you got it.

Tim Matheson:

Now tell me, can I ask a question?

Host:

Yeah, go ahead, Tim.

Host:

Yeah.

Tim Matheson:

Who.

Tim Matheson:

Who won?

Tim Matheson:

How did Kansas City do today?

Host:

I don't know, Brian.

Host:

Did you watch the Kansas City?

Host:

Yeah, they lost, Tim.

Tim Matheson:

Oh, geez.

Tim Matheson:

Okay.

Host:

Yeah.

Host:

And of course, the jets lost, which is a given.

Tim Matheson:

How about.

Tim Matheson:

How about the Commanders?

Tim Matheson:

How'd that go?

Host:

No good.

Host:

Oh, no, Brian doesn't know.

Host:

He doesn't know.

Host:

Yeah.

Tim Matheson:

Okay.

Tim Matheson:

Okay.

Host:

Relax on the football scores tonight, Tim.

Tim Matheson:

I'm sorry.

Host:

Do you enjoy sports, Tim?

Tim Matheson:

I do.

Stephan Mateau:

Yeah.

Tim Matheson:

I do.

Tim Matheson:

You know, it's always good to take your mind off of it and just.

Tim Matheson:

I like watching good teamwork, you know, I mean, I like.

Tim Matheson:

I like.

Tim Matheson:

That's what I've learned about acting and directing, is that, you know, again, like I said, it's team.

Tim Matheson:

And you see how people perform and it's.

Tim Matheson:

You get inspired by people who perform well under pressure.

Tim Matheson:

The Olympics, for God's sake.

Tim Matheson:

I love the women's soccer team.

Tim Matheson:

And, you know, it was just amazing.

Tim Matheson:

And.

Tim Matheson:

But just so many of the competition, because it comes down to one moment, or just the World Series for the Dodgers, right?

Tim Matheson:

You know, and the Yankees.

Tim Matheson:

I mean, my God, who's ever seen an inning like the fifth inning for the.

Tim Matheson:

For the Yankees?

Tim Matheson:

I mean, oh, my God, that was just unparalleled in history, in sports history.

Tim Matheson:

And yet it happens.

Host:

It's like, okay, MLB was probably happy with that matchup, too.

Host:

The Dodgers and the Yankees.

Host:

Yeah, they love that.

Host:

And with the Olympics, I found.

Host:

I like the women's beach volleyball.

Host:

I think that's pretty amazing.

Tim Matheson:

Oh, it's great to watch.

Tim Matheson:

I mean, diving and swimming.

Tim Matheson:

I mean, it's just.

Tim Matheson:

Can somebody just stay so focused and concentrate on what they have to do and not let all that extraneous noise from the outside take them off their game?

Tim Matheson:

That's what it's all about.

Tim Matheson:

And it's just amazing when you see it happen.

Host:

It is.

Host:

You're right, Tim.

Host:

Now we're going to mention the book before we go.

Host:

Any other upcoming projects that you'd like to mention to the folks?

Tim Matheson:

No, Just a Virgin river and then.

Tim Matheson:

Damn glad to meet you.

Tim Matheson:

My seven years and my seven decades in the Hollywood trenches is, you know, that's coming out.

Tim Matheson:

It's now it's out.

Tim Matheson:

It's available for your local bookstore.

Tim Matheson:

Pick it up at the bookstore.

Tim Matheson:

And it's.

Tim Matheson:

It's.

Tim Matheson:

It's a good.

Tim Matheson:

It's a good read.

Tim Matheson:

It's a lot of fun and it's some backstage stories and it's what it was like to work with some of the icons and in cinema that today's audience hasn't really, you know, don't know that perhaps that well.

Tim Matheson:

And it's, you know, so it's a look back and it's a look forward and it's just how much fun I've had as I've done this.

Host:

Right.

Host:

It's Tim's career, which, as he says, spans seven decades.

Host:

And there's some great names in there, some great little tidbits that you guys will enjoy.

Host:

And as we said, the Christmas holidays are coming up.

Host:

A great gift, Tim.

Tim Matheson:

Yeah, thanks, Bill.

Host:

It's been an honor and a pleasure.

Host:

What is somebody calling me now for Brian?

Host:

Oh, it's Andre Dawson.

Host:

I can't take this call.

Host:

I don't know, you know, Andre.

Stephan Mateau:

Hello?

Host:

You know Andre Dawson, Tim.

Tim Matheson:

Yes, I know he is.

Host:

Yeah, okay.

Host:

Yeah, he's ringing me.

Host:

I don't know what he wants, but I'll get back.

Host:

It's been an honor and a pleasure, Tim.

Host:

I appreciate it.

Host:

Thanks for taking time out of your Sunday night to give it to us here in New York.

Tim Matheson:

Good to talk to you.

Host:

We're looking forward to the next season on Virgin River.

Host:

Again, Tim's book, folks, it's called Damn Glad to Meet you, My Seven Decades in the Hollywood Trenches.

Host:

Thanks again.

Host:

All the best, Tim.

Tim Matheson:

Thanks, Bill.

Tim Matheson:

You take care.

Host:

You take care, too.

Host:

That is Tim Matheson, ladies and gentlemen.

Host:

We will be right back after these messages.

Host:

Stick around, folks.

Brian Graves:

You are listening to Sports Talk New York.

Brian Graves:

FM and:

Brian Graves:

Instagram @WGB sports talk.

Brian Graves:

You're listening to Sports Talk New York on Long Island's wgb.

Brian Graves:

And now back to the show.

Host:

All right, ladies and gentlemen, we're back with Sports Talk New York here from Merrick, Long Island, New York.

Host:

Great conversation with Tim Matheson there and previously a great conversation with Stephane Mateau of the New York Rangers.

Host:

And I would just like to mention that I had the honor and the pleasure last weekend to attend the New York State Baseball hall of Fame induction ceremony which is held each November in Troy, New York, which is upstate near Albany.

Host:

And great time as usual.

Host:

I'd like to thank Rennie LaRue, the executive director of the New York State Baseball hall of Fame for the invitation and for the hospitality that he gives every year.

Host:

And some great guys, some great inductees.

Host:

This year we had the hitman, Don Mattingly, Howard Johnson, HoJo from the New York Mets.

Host:

Buck Showalter, the great manager, was inducted into the hall of Fame.

Host:

itcher, rookie of the year in:

Host:

His daughter, Martha Jo Black, who was our guest last weekend on the program, was inducted.

Host:

And just a great experience.

Host:

It's definitely worthwhile checking out.

Host:

The hall of Fame building itself is in Gloversville, New York, which is about 50 miles from Cooperstown.

Host:

Not too bad if you're in Cooperstown.

Host:

You could take a ride to Gloversville and check the building out and the hall of Fame.

Host:

It's right across the street from a very historic ballpark.

Host:

You can look it up and find out exactly what happened on that ball field.

Host:

But it's a great building.

Host:

It's a great organization.

Host:

Again, the New York State Baseball hall of Fame.

Host:

Go to the website and you can see who's been inducted in the past who are members of the New York State Baseball hall of fame.

Host:

It's NYSbhof, just an acronym for New York State Baseball hall of Fame.

Host:

Go to that website, folks.

Host:

You'll see the inductees.

Host:

You'll see the requirements for membership in the New York State Baseball hall of Fame, which is really just the body of work of the individual and their relationship to working, playing, contributing to the state of New York, all having to do with baseball, which is definitely worthwhile.

Host:

So check that out.

Host:

As I said, the winter meeting is coming up in the beginning of December.

Host:

There will be a Hall of Fame announcement for one of the veterans committees coming up.

Host:

And people like Dick Allen, Tommy John, Dave Parker are up for election to the National Baseball hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

Host:

will go in with the class of:

Host:

Excuse me.

Host:

l induction with the class of:

Host:

And definitely worth a visit up to the induction weekend in Cooperstown, as we say every year.

Host:

We'll talk a little bit more about that as we get closer.

Host:

But again, I'd like to thank you guys for stopping by.

Host:

Thank my guests again, Stephane Mateau and Tim Matheson, my engineer, Brian Graves, and you guys again.

Host:

We'll see you next on December 15th.

Host:

I got a couple of weeks off.

Host:

Take a break for more great sports Talk on the 15th.

Host:

Join us.

Host:

Till then, be safe, be well.

Host:

Bill Donahue, wishing you a good evening, folks.

Tim Matheson:

The views expressed in the previous program did not necessarily represent those of the staff, management or owners of wgbb.

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About the Podcast

WGBB Sports Talk New York
Talking New York sports on Long Island's WGBB Radio.
Broadcasting LIVE Sunday nights at 8:00 PM on Long Island's WGBB Radio 95.5FM | 1240AM. We're talking NEW YORK SPORTS! The Yankees, Mets, Giants, Jets, Knicks, Nets, Rangers, Islanders, Devils and the New York metro-area college scene are all up for discussion.

Listen for our interviews with past and present professional New York athletes- as well as local sports writers, authors, broadcasters and others with something new, interesting and different to say about New York sports. Join our hosts live on the air by calling in on the WGBB studio hotline at (516) 623-1240.

The podcast includes a WGBB SPORTS TALK FLASHBACK bonus episode each week! Available ONLY to podcast subscribers, bonus episodes will consist of old sports talk shows and interviews with former pro New York athletes, all originally aired on WGBB. Don't miss out- Subscribe Today!

WGBB Sports Talk New York replaced the long running SPORTSTALK1240 on WGBB (2007-2020) in January 2021.

UPCOMING SHOWS
December 15th... Bill Donohue hosts, followed by Andy Suekoff at 9:00pm.
December 22nd... Mike Guidone and Chris Caputo host, followed by TBD at 9:00pm.
December 29th... Bill Donohue hosts, followed by TBD at 9:00pm.
January 5th... Mike Guidone and Chris Caputo host, followed by TBD at 9:00pm.
January 12th... Bill Donohue hosts, followed by TBD at 9:00pm.
January 19th... Mike Guidone and Chris Caputo host, followed by TBD at 9:00pm.
January 26th... Bill Donohue hosts, followed by TBD at 9:00pm.