Feb 23, 2026
Just when you thought that Sam had covered all the troubled teen
and young adult made-for-TV dramas, he comes at you with this ace
up his sleeve about the dangers of gambling. Don't ask him to
actually play any casino games though, as the only Kings and Queens
he knows are the ones in drag.
Joining Sam Pancake today is Tipper Newton, an actor, filmmaker, and
musician. She is best known for her roles in The Mindy Project, The
Guest Book, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. She most recently starred in
the clever film Fuck Your Son!, and plays shows with her band Color
TV. Links below to dive deeper.
The Seduction of Gina (1984) is a made-for-TV drama directed by Jerrold Freedman that explores how a moment of innocent fun spirals into a life-altering obsession.
In the film, Valerie Bertinelli stars as Gina Breslin, a young, recently married woman feeling restless and unfulfilled while her husband is occuppied with his demanding medical internship. Seeking excitement and a way to break up the monotony, Gina agrees to try her luck at the blackjack tables during a trip to Lake Tahoe. What starts as beginner’s luck quickly turns into a dangerous compulsion as the thrill of gambling consumes her.
As Gina’s wagering escalates, so do the stakes in her personal life. She begins to gamble away her trust fund, strains her marriage to David Breslin (played by Fredric Lehne), and entangles herself with Keith Sindell (portrayed by Michael Brandon), a smooth casino associate whose intentions are ambiguous at best. Along the way, supporting performances from Ed Lauter as Carl and Dinah Manoff as Mary help paint a fuller picture of Gina’s unraveling world.
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Show Links:
Watch today's film: The Seduction of
Gina
Sam Pancake's Instagram
Sam Pancake's Linktree
Tipper Newton's Important Links
Tipper's Band: Color TV
Brandon Johnston's Instagram
This episode was engineered & produced by Meika Grimm.