"Ken Boxer Live," Paul Petersen, From "The Donna Reed Show," w/ Tai Babilonia

Recorded 01/11/2016. Ken Boxer Live presents Paul Petersen as its next guest. An actor, singer, novelist, activist-and former Mouseketeer- Petersen is widely remembered for his character Jeff Stone in the 1958 through 1966 television series The Donna Reed Show, a show that resonated well with the mores of late 50’s-early ’60’s American culture.
It, along with similarly themed shows like Father Knows Best, Ozzie and Harriet, and My Three Sons, solidly depicted what was then viewed as the ideal American family life: a father who worked to support his family, a mother who raised her adorable children, and dutifully obedient kids who knew without question that Father truly does know best. Our national collective memory still views that period-usually nostalgically, but always incorrectly-through that lens.
During various episodes, Petersen had many opportunities to showcase his singing talents, which placed him on the early ’60s pop charts with hits such as “She Can’t Find Her Keys,” “Lollipops and Roses”, and “My Dad,” which you can view with the KZbin link nearby.
After The Donna Reed Show ended in 1966, and finding himself haplessly and indelibly typecast as the all-American, clean-cut teen, Petersen found himself lost and abandoned, a teen-crooning relic out-of-step with the growing influence of the counterculture then taking hold of American youth. His singing and acting career waned. Making a wise, albeit forced, choice, he enrolled at college to begin a writing career, ultimately penning 16 very successful books.
Later in life, reflecting back on the special troubles child actors, such as he, endured after fame had vanished, Petersen created “A Minor Consideration,” an outreach program to protect the interests (emotional, financial, and legal) of former child stars.
For more biographical information about Paul Petersen, please visit his IMDb page, www.imdb.com/na....
Ken and Tai welcome Paul Petersen to the Ken Boxer Live set. Please join us for an exciting interview.
This episode first airs Thursday, 01/14/2016, at 10 pm on TVSB Channel 17 and here on KZbin. More detailed scheduling information is at kenboxerlive.com.
Producer/Host: Ken Boxer
Co-Host: Tai Babilonia
Director/Post Production: Jorge Montalvo
Floor Director/Teleprompter: Cliff Ghersen
Audio Engineer: Kiara Linver
Graphics Engineer: Juliana Slater
Grip/Camera Operator: Hunter Lum
Gaffer/Production Assistant: Derrick Anderson
Camera Operators: Ken Baxter, Ryan Quinn
Production Assistant: Lorraine Jordan
Craft Services: Stephanie Linver, Sally Foxen
Warm up: Cate Imperio
Make-up Artist: Shauna Thomas (IMDB 949 244-4564)
Announcer: "Baron" Ron Herron
Technical Marketing: Robert Boxer
Staff Photography: Jennie Knudsen, Rick Carter

[@jovanaluna568]

I'm in my 30s but I love old shows thanks to amazon prime I could watch The Donna Reed Show seasons 1-5 I just fell in love with the whole cast but Jeff stole my heart.

[@sherryy1743]

I watched their show every week. So good to see and hear from him now.

[@ardmoreverizon445]

Paul peterson upfront and honest. He seems like a good person. Bravo paul peterson

[@lindaberg1695]

What a great guy, giving back and so honest....class act!

[@bretstanley8931]

Wow, I learned a lot of things in that short interview! Amazing! I always wondered why Paul didn't have a successful film career after the Donna Reed Show but he explained it: clean cut guys were on the way out in the late 60's! Hippies were in...What a shame!

[@keithsmith3386]

Wow...what can I say. Paul..ur heaven sent. A real modern day Saint. I nominate u for beatification . I wonder if u really understand how much ur dedication persavearnce and humanity u offer to so many.

[@franlavpel2007]

I love Paul Peterson, an amazing actor so natural and a very nice Person

[@jc6594]

Happy 75th Birthday Paul Petersen

[@sketchartist1964]

"Because kids are not angels, they're mean and they can be cruel....." he got that right.

[@mariab354]

wonderful honest and great actor

[@markr.devereux2713]

Donna Reed Show was very very popular with kids and the parents. OZZIE & HARRIET also. I was a real fan of Paul and Shelly back then.

[@leadfootfoot1474]

One summer long ago my girlfriend and i saw Paul Petersen singing live in Tulsa, OK as one of the acts on Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars. Also on the show were the Dixie Cups, the Shirelles, the Supremes, and Gene Pitney

[@created2love]

I remember Paul recorded a song "Can't Find My Keys" he was starring on Donna Reed when I was young

[@MsBackstager]

What a doll!

[@alanrivera9481]

i wish i could meet him and also shelley fabares :(

[@allenmessmer2508]

If you want to me him then do it.

[@chrisnutone4951]

Great interview!

[@reyaheya346]

I cried when he did

[@stumack9755]

cry baby

[@lianelayman7577]

Nothing wrong with that.

[@kelseymathias3881]

Does anyone remember Paul Petersen in Journey to Shiloh in 1968? He played a great role as arrogant young man in the Civil War.

[@richardranke3158]

The year 1958 was the year the Mickey Mouse Club was cancelled(although it went on in reruns for another year). It was also the year the Donna Reed Show began. Ironic that when most of the Mouseketeers were out of work, the first one to be fired got a steady TV job he had for the next eight years.:-)

[@fredflintstone9657]

Tai seems to be getting better looking....how does that work?

[@farrellmcnulty909]

5:30 - 5:45 Willie Pee Pee? No he won't???? HOW berserk (LMFAO, by the way)

[@8avexp]

Tai looks great in those high heels!

[@stumack9755]

easy.

[@reyaheya346]

Is this new?

[@larryberrones3308]

Tisha who took Mary place later was a neg for me. She just dint add the flavor needed to keep me interested.

[@richardranke3158]

Trisha was a cute and smart girl. I am only 2 1/2 weeks younger than she is and I had a little crush on her,("She was a child and I was a child...")

[@lianelayman7577]

No wonder Bob Crane was murdered.

[@markruane3660]

I didnt know there was a skating hall of fame.

[@stumack9755]

"I won't go into it here but...…but Bob Crane had the 2nd largest porn collection...…." LOL. Tai response is priceless. That's not cool. Paul doesn't divulge specifics about his "dark days". Paul was jealous of Crane getting his girls. Crane banged Donna Reed. Is this show filmed n a basement?

[@mrd.6594]

Bob Crane was also gay so I don't know if that contributed to his mistreatment of women but I knew about his porn collection also but most people did

[@paulbennet7687]

Mr T. p g

[@stumack9755]

That would make him Bi. Cary Crant was gay.

[@lianelayman7577]

Cary wasn't. That was made up to sell tabloids and stuff. Closer magazine even said he's not gay and Cary even said he wasn't gay.