Advertise on podcast: Reel Insights

Dane Cook speaks with Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour for a full interview about FUNNY MONEY: THE DANE COOK STORY, the shocking betrayal involving his brother that cost him millions of dollars and forever changed his life. Cook reflects on his rise to stand-up comedy superstardom, explains why the documentary focuses on this painful chapter of his career and reveals how his lifelong fascination with true crime shaped the film. He also opens up about working with investigators, receiving strange phone calls and realizing he was living through his own true-crime documentary.Cook also reveals why he gave director Brett Harvey complete creative control and how he discovered shocking information about his own brother and family while sitting in front of the camera. He discusses the emotional toll of betrayal, rebuilding his identity, reconnecting with fans and why sharing painful experiences can help people reclaim their dignity. On a lighter note, Cook reveals why Matt Rife could portray him in a Hollywood adaptation and shares the surprising connection between his dream home, DIE HARD's Nakatomi Plaza and the childhood memories he shared with his brother.

Shemar Moore speaks with Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour for a full REEL INSIGHTS interview about S.W.A.T. EXILES, returning as Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson and taking the franchise in a darker, grittier direction. Moore discusses Hondo's flaws, leading a new team and a mysterious conspiracy threatening to destroy Hondo and S.W.A.T. He also reveals how the STARZ series delivers intense action while moving away from the flashy technology of the original show.Moore reflects on his television career, from THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS and CRIMINAL MINDS to nearly a decade as Hondo on S.W.A.T. He opens up about the worldwide support of his fans, growing up shy, becoming a father and why playing Hondo makes him feel like a real-life superhero. Moore also discusses training with real S.W.A.T. officers and members of SEAL Team 6, his love for imperfect heroes and the hilarious struggles of binge-watching television with his partner.

Elnaaz Norouzi speaks with Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour for a full interview about THE FIX, portraying Zahra and why the action thriller felt deeply personal to her. Norouzi explains how the film’s connection to Iran, the country where she was born, drew her to the story and why she wants audiences around the world to learn more about Iranian experiences. She also teases Zahra’s surprising involvement in the dangerous rescue mission and reveals how the character’s determination reflects her own refusal to give up.Norouzi also opens up about working with Zachary Levi and seeing him transform into a serious action star alongside Liam Neeson, Quincy Isaiah and the movie’s ensemble cast. She shares how Levi kept the atmosphere fun between intense scenes and recalls introducing her co-stars to Persian culture through chai, koobideh and ghormeh sabzi. Norouzi also discusses her love of thrillers, explains why unpredictable stories represent filmmaking at its best and reveals which role she would take during a real rescue mission.

Jeremiah Watkins speaks with Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour for a full interview about his newest stand-up special, CRAZY PIZZA, and voicing the Joker in DC SUPER HERO GIRLS. Watkins explains how the special’s title grew from an improv game his wife taught during the pandemic and how its ’90s pizza-parlor set gives the comedy hour its own identity. He also reveals the hidden objects placed throughout the set, including scissors, skulls, a belt and other “toppings” connected to his jokes.Watkins opens up about turning marriage, fatherhood and personal experiences into comedy while respecting his family’s boundaries. He explains how he connects stories that may not initially fit together and why CRAZY PIZZA captures a specific chapter of his life as a husband and father. Watkins also performs his Donald Trump impression and breaks down the musicality, practice and natural instincts behind finding a recognizable voice.Watkins reflects on growing up with BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES, Mark Hamill’s influence and the honor of joining the small group of performers who have voiced the Joker. He reveals how his biggest recording-session choices helped define his version of the character and shares his desire to voice Nightwing in the future. Watkins also discusses auditioning for DC and Marvel projects, teases a secret role protected by a strict NDA and reveals the three pizza toppings that best represent his life today.

Kiana Madeira and Jessica Rothe speaks with Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour about Beware Boiúna, the new Amazon-set survival horror movie directed by Mike P. Nelson. The stars reveal what it was like filming inside the rainforest, battling the extreme heat and facing a colossal ancient snake that was never physically there.Rothe explains how practical effects helped the cast imagine the creature’s enormous size and movement. Madeira discusses the jungle’s “heartbeat,” discovering walking trees and why the movie inspired her to pursue more action roles. They also reveal which genres they want to explore next, including period horror.

Jack Griffo speaks with Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour for a full interview about CLASH OF THE THUNDERMANS, returning as Max Thunderman and growing alongside the character over more than a decade. Griffo reflects on which parts of Max now feel instinctive, how age and life experience have changed his approach to the character, and why the sibling comedy still feels like second nature. He also discusses becoming an executive producer alongside Kira Kosarin, the responsibility they feel protecting the world of THE THUNDERMANS and why their history with these characters gives them an important voice behind the scenes.Griffo also opens up about the surprising connection between Max Thunderman and Damian Wayne, revealing why playing Robin felt familiar after years as the Thunderman family’s original black sheep. He breaks down why he is firmly “Team Max” during the family conflict over Chloe, explains why Max believes superhero school is the right choice and discusses becoming more protective as an older brother. Griffo also reveals how hard he trained before putting the super suit back on, why he believes the work paid off and reacts to Sean’s pitch for THE THUNDERMANS to someday save Nerdtropolis.

Kira Kosarin speaks with Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour for a full interview about CLASH OF THE THUNDERMANS, returning to Phoebe Thunderman and watching the character evolve alongside her. Kosarin reflects on growing up with Phoebe, why stepping back into the role can feel like revisiting a younger version of herself, and what it means knowing an entire generation grew up looking up to her. She also explains how Phoebe’s responsibility as a superhero has changed as the character has gotten older and why protecting the Thunderman family remains such an important part of who she is.Kosarin also opens up about becoming an executive producer and reveals why she initially pushed back on Phoebe’s side of the central conflict involving Chloe. She discusses collaborating with the writers to determine what Phoebe would truly believe, breaks down the evolution of the Thundermans superhero suits and explains how putting on the new suit completely changes her physicality. Kosarin also looks at why THE THUNDERMANS continues connecting with new generations and reacts to Sean’s official pitch for THE THUNDERMANS to someday save Nerdtropolis.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II speaks with Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour for a conversation about BY ANY MEANS, the unexpected relationships that have shaped his career, and his upcoming role as Simon Williams in Marvel’s WONDER MAN. Abdul-Mateen opens up about working with Jason Momoa on AQUAMAN, what he learned from watching Momoa operate on set, and the meaningful creative connections he has formed with Ben Kingsley, Baz Luhrmann and Regina King. He also reflects on the projects that best represent him as an actor, including THE GET DOWN, THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7 and WONDER MAN. Abdul-Mateen also breaks down the preparation behind BY ANY MEANS and how he transported himself back to 1966. He discusses researching Black FBI agents working during the Hoover administration, learning about the training and expectations placed on them, and the surprisingly simple detail that ultimately helped him step fully into the character: his hard-bottom black leather shoes.

DARK MATTER Season 2 stars Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Connelly speak with Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour for a full interview about returning to Apple TV’s mind-bending sci-fi series. Edgerton and Connelly discuss how the show’s infinite possibilities reflect the choices we make in our own lives, whether they would actually use the box, and how Season 2 unexpectedly connects with today’s conversations surrounding AI, rapidly evolving technology and what happens once something powerful is unleashed into the world.Edgerton and Connelly also look back at movies that instantly transport them to important moments in their lives, including RETURN OF THE JEDI and A NEW HOPE. Edgerton shares the full-circle story of his father taking him to see RETURN OF THE JEDI as a child and now watching his own kids become obsessed with the Star Wars classic. The pair also discuss serving as executive producers on DARK MATTER and how creator Blake Crouch has given them the opportunity to help shape their characters and the series beyond their performances.

BIG CITY GREENS star Cricket Green speaks with Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour for a hilarious interview celebrating Season 5 of the hit Disney animated series. Cricket looks back on his wildest adventures with the Green family, from traveling to space to taking on a massive ice cream sundae, and explains what it feels like being famous and having audiences follow his life on television.Cricket also talks about his TikTok adventures, reveals why he wants to collaborate with MrBeast before realizing he might be an actual “beast,” and shares what he completely nerds out over. He reveals his favorite movie theater snack, plans his dream family vacation to the center of the Earth to meet a dragon, and accepts an invitation to visit Nerdtropolis. Cricket closes the conversation by choosing Robert Pattinson to play him in a Hollywood movie, explaining why the actor would need some very special fake teeth, and sharing his potential Halloween costume.

COYOTE VS. ACME star Luis Guzmán speaks with Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour for a full interview about the movie’s incredible journey to the big screen. Guzmán celebrates the fans and filmmakers who fought for its release, explains why he is proud to be part of the film, and shares why seeing Wile E. Coyote in his courtroom felt like a full-circle moment. He also looks back on growing up with Looney Tunes, reveals his favorite characters, discusses playing a strict judge, and explains what it was like working opposite animated characters.Guzmán also praises John Cena’s courtroom performance, jokes about how he would actually rule in Wile E. Coyote’s case, imagines hanging out with Speedy Gonzales and Pepe Le Pew, and reacts to the idea of a Gomez Addams and Looney Tunes crossover. He closes the conversation by explaining what Hollywood can learn from COYOTE VS. ACME, saying audiences proved that “you can’t shut down good entertainment” and stressing the importance of listening to fans.

COYOTE VS. ACME star and Looney Tunes voice actor Eric Bauza speaks with Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour for a full interview about the movie’s incredible journey to the big screen. Bauza celebrates the fans who fought for its release, explains why their support proves audiences have real power, and reveals why the film is more than a simple nostalgia grab.Bauza also discusses voicing 10 Looney Tunes characters in COYOTE VS. ACME, including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety, Foghorn Leghorn, and Road Runner. He explains why the live-action and animation combination works so well, teases Daffy Duck’s wild appearance, and reveals why audiences will finally root for Wile E. Coyote.The voice actor also pitches a DUCK DODGERS movie featuring Daffy Duck and Marvin the Martian, shares his dream Looney Tunes character pairing, calls for more hand-drawn theatrical shorts, and explains why he wants to see BEN 10 make a major comeback.

THE END OF OAK STREET star Jordan Alexa Davis speaks with Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour for a full interview about filming the imaginative dinosaur thriller and turning a real Atlanta neighborhood into a prehistoric nightmare. Davis discusses being immediately hooked by the original yet nostalgic story, filming on real neighborhood streets, and acting opposite dinosaur heads on sticks, performers in blue suits, and sometimes nothing at all.Davis also opens up about the cast’s chemistry, watching the movie with an audience, making believable survival choices, and running from dinosaurs as an ordinary teenager. She discusses the possibility of returning for another adventure, what the intense role taught her about separating work from her personal life, and why THE END OF OAK STREET deserves to be experienced on the biggest screen possible.

SAWTOOTH MOUNTAIN star Landon Liboiron speaks with Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour for a full interview about the darkly funny Bigfoot thriller. Liboiron discusses playing Bobby, a charismatic yet threatening con artist who stages a Bigfoot sighting with his brother to attract guests to their rental cabin—only for their plan to spiral dangerously out of control.Liboiron also reveals whether he believes in Bigfoot, shares stories about filming deep in the Vancouver woods, and explains why encountering Bigfoot would frighten him more than seeing a UFO. He reflects on new generations discovering DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION and HEMLOCK GROVE, explains why SAWTOOTH MOUNTAIN could develop a cult following, and discusses the unforgettable pancake-mix scene that everyone wants to ask him about.

ICE CREAM MAN director Eli Roth speaks with Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour for a full interview about his wild new horror movie. Roth explains why the film refuses to hold back, how its graphic kills were shaped by the production’s budget, and what it was like creating total chaos with 100 children, 20 stunt performers, fake blood, smoke machines and body parts.The filmmaker behind HOSTEL, CABIN FEVER and THANKSGIVING also opens up about directing the young cast like adults, filming entirely on real locations and drawing inspiration from THE BIRDS and the opening of SAVING PRIVATE RYAN. Roth also teases his next theatrical project, a haunted house movie with Snoop Dogg.