Episode two of Once Upon a Time in Shreveport explores the extraordinary life and career of Shreveporter Andy Sidaris.
By the time he began producing and directing low-budget action movies in the late 1970s, Sidaris had already concluded a decades-long career in sports television. He won an Emmy (presented by Joe Namath) for directing live television coverage of the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, helped create ABC’s Wide World of Sports, and directed two NASA spacecraft landings as well as a Muhammad Ali title fight.
If you’re a Shreveporter (especially one who listens to podcasts and/or cares about local history) and this is the first time that you’re hearing of Andy Sidaris…don’t you wonder why that is the case? Despite being one of the most accomplished entertainment industry professionals in Shreveport history, Sedaris has mostly gone uncelebrated by his hometown.
That is likely due to the fact that he dedicated the last few decades of his life to making direct-to-video action flicks that—due to their near-constant and comically gratuitous nudity, sex and violence—have been dubbed the “Bullets, Bombs and Babes” movies.
This episode features excerpts from an interview with Christian Drew Sidaris, son of Andy (who died in 2007). Also, we asked Shreveport-based comic and all-around hilarious person Molly Hiers to share their take on three of the Sidaris films shot in Shreveport, and they provided a characteristically smart, foul-mouthed take on these outrageous movies.
For maximum enjoyment of this episode, check out a couple of Sidaris movie trailers before listening:
Thanks, weirdos
This podcast would not have been possible without the financial support of three sponsors who stepped up to underwrite production by advertising: Sartin Law Firm, Putman Restoration and Sainte Terre. Want to support the creation of future episodes through advertising? Email ChrisJay318@gmail.com and let’s talk! Season two is in the works and sponsorships are available now.
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