Episode #203: Peter Ackerman (Elinor Donohue, Harry Ackerman) (Part One)

Rarified Heir Podcast

Today on another encore episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to Peter Ackerman, son of actress Elinor Donahue and television executive Harry Ackerman. Ironic isn’t it that just recently we have spoken to David Pressman, son of actor Lawrence Pressman who starred with Elinor in the short-lived TV show Mulligan’s Stew on episode #194 and here we are again discussing lost classic TV. No matter, because on this episode we really lock in on some iconic classic television shows which Peter discusses at length. Like what shows you ask? Nothing much really – just shows like I Love Lucy, Father Knows Best, Batman, The Monkees, Bewitched and other shows that were part of our childhood.

What’s more, Peter tells us what it was like from both in front of the camera and behind as well. With both parents traversing show business from different careers, Peter gives us a peek into what it was like growing up the child of a celebrity and the child of a Hollywood power broker. A unique story that is.

We loved hearing about Peter’s first kiss – from a fellow child of a celebrity while in grade school as well as the behind-the-scenes story of how and why, “Bewitched” ended. We also learn about how and why his mother left The Andy Griffith Show and much more. In fact, we got the story before his recent book, Mom, Dad, Me, and Classic TV - Growing Up with Classic Television's Harry Ackerman and Elinor Donahue was published earlier this year. So we consider this interview quite a scoop! If it sounds like a fun episode – it was. And this is only part one!

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