Advertise on podcast: Taboo's Comics & Kicks

Lea Thompson joins Taboo for a scene-by-scene journey through Back to the Future and the creation of Lorraine McFly. She revisits the Calvin Klein bedroom scene, the car kiss, Enchantment Under the Sea and Johnny B. Goode while explaining how Michael J. Fox’s arrival changed the movie after Eric Stoltz was replaced. Lea also shares stories about Crispin Glover, Christopher Lloyd and Robert Zemeckis, reflects on portraying five versions of Lorraine across the trilogy and explains why the original film still connects with generations of fans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hocus Pocus stars Vinessa Shaw and Omri Katz join Taboo for a scene-by-scene celebration of the beloved Halloween classic. The actors behind Allison and Max revisit the Black Flame Candle, the “yabos” scene, the Burning Rain of Death and Bette Midler’s iconic “I Put a Spell on You” performance. They reveal how they landed their roles, discuss a screen test involving a young Leonardo DiCaprio and share the lessons they learned from director Kenny Ortega. Omri also opens up about getting high during production and the day Kenny confronted him on set. Vinessa and Omri reflect on working alongside Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy before explaining how Hocus Pocus grew from a box-office disappointment into a Halloween tradition embraced by generations of fans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin Whalin joins Taboo for a Halloween deep dive into Child’s Play 3 and his experience taking over the role of Andy Barclay. He reveals how multiple puppeteers brought Chucky to life, how Andy’s trauma shaped his performance, what went into Chucky’s unforgettable death scene, and why the killer doll’s humor helped transform him into a genuine horror icon. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the making and lasting legacy of one of the most memorable chapters in the Child’s Play franchise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get Tisha Campbell’s new book, The A Word: A Mother’s Journey Through Autism and Love: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0063446480?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback Tisha Campbell joins Taboo to revisit becoming Gina on Martin, the real friendship behind Gina and Pam, and the off-camera jokes that became part of the show. She also shares stories about Eddie Murphy and Boomerang, getting fired from Blossom, learning comedy, working with Damon Wayans and the deeply personal journey behind The A Word. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thomas Ian Nicholas joins Taboo to revisit Rookie of the Year, from auditioning twice and beating out thousands of young actors to filming at Wrigley Field without ever having played baseball. He shares stories about Daniel Stern, Gary Busey, Henry’s legendary fastball, deleted scenes, hidden bloopers, and why the 1993 classic still resonates more than 30 years later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Part 2 of her conversation with Taboo, Tara Reid looks back at playing Bunny Lebowski in The Big Lebowski and explains why she credits the Coen Brothers’ cult classic—not American Pie—with launching her Hollywood career. She remembers arriving at the final callback alongside Charlize Theron and Liv Tyler, landing the role she never expected to win, and working on one of the most relaxed sets of her life with Jeff Bridges and an all-star cast. Tara also shares her memories of Philip Seymour Hoffman, Courtney Love crashing a wrap party, the unexpected phenomenon of Sharknado, nearly landing a role in Almost Famous, and what Hollywood fame felt like before TMZ and social media changed everything. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tara Reid joins Taboo to revisit American Pie and reveal the stories behind its iconic cast, her friendship with Natasha Lyonne and filming the movie’s famously awkward orgasm scene. She also discusses American Reunion, why Josie and the Pussycats was ahead of its time and her new chapter as a producer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lou Diamond Phillips joins Taboo to go deep on Stand and Deliver, from how a Miami Vice scene with Eddie Olmos led to the role, to rehearsals that bonded a largely first-time cast and built the film’s documentary-like authenticity. Lou explains immersing in East LA culture, learning Spanish for Angel Guzman, and how key moments and lines (“What’s cálculos?” “This one’s broken,” “On the first day of Ch—”) came from improv, while Jaime Escalante was on set daily as Eddie studied his mannerisms. He also shares Andy Garcia returning to read off-camera for Lou, reflects on turning down what became Gus Van Sant’s Drugstore Cowboy, and why La Bamba and Stand and Deliver still resonate for their cultural impact. The episode closes with Lou’s new project Gangland, a reservation-set crime thriller spotlighting major roles for emerging Indigenous actors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lou Diamond Phillips takes Taboo inside La Bamba—from the audition where he thought John Stamos already had the role to being welcomed by Ritchie Valens’ real family. He shares the moment Ritchie’s mother told him, “You gave me my son back,” plus untold stories about Esai Morales, Luis Valdez and the film’s lasting legacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Todd Bridges revisits becoming Willis Jackson on Diff'rent Strokes, helping cast Dana Plato, and building television history alongside Gary Coleman and Conrad Bain. He shares his perspective on Coleman’s final years, remembers dating Janet Jackson and hearing Michael Jackson sing “Thriller” before its release, and reveals his idea for a Diff'rent Strokes continuation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Richard Karn was only supposed to fill in on the Home Improvement pilot—then his chemistry with Tim Allen made Al Borland an accidental icon. He joins Taboo to revisit classic Tool Time moments, the origin of “I don’t think so, Tim,” and the rare times the sitcom went off-script. Karn also reflects on Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Al’s iconic look, and the heart that keeps Home Improvement resonating decades later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alisa Reyes takes us inside Nickelodeon’s golden era and reveals how “All That” changed the network forever. She shares stories about creating Kiki the Island Girl, growing up with Kenan and Kel, working with Chris Farley, meeting Aaliyah and filming with TLC. Plus, Alisa reflects on navigating child stardom and becoming the voice of LaCienega Boulevard on Disney’s “The Proud Family.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The viral audition tape that won Kris D. Lofton the role of Jenard—and the truth about stepping into 50 Cent’s Power universe. Kris explains why he knew he had to take a huge swing in the audition, how being a diehard fan of the original series shaped his approach, and what it took to convince the team that no one else could play the role. Kris then goes deeper into the pressure of becoming a series regular, the responsibility that comes with representing a major show, and the emotional toll of filming Jenard’s darkest storylines. He talks about portraying addiction and hallucinations, criticizing his own performances, dealing with fans who genuinely hate his character, and the off-camera family dynamic between the Power Book IV: Force cast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hardball changed a generation, and Kris D. Lofton was there for every unforgettable moment. In Part 1, Kris shares how he accidentally landed the role, what it was like filming alongside Keanu Reeves in downtown Chicago, working with a young Michael B. Jordan, and the behind-the-scenes stories that fans have never heard. From Keanu's kindness on set to the emotional truth behind G-Baby's unforgettable final scene, this episode is a nostalgic look inside one of the most beloved sports movies ever made. Part 2 will dive into the rest of Kris's incredible career beyond Hardball. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dante Basco returns to Taboo’s Comics & Kicks for a full Avatar: The Last Airbender deep dive into Prince Zuko, Uncle Iroh, and the redemption arc that made Avatar a worldwide phenomenon. Dante reflects on first playing Zuko, why he thought the character was just a villain, and how Zuko’s journey through pain, banishment, abuse, forgiveness, and change became one of the most beloved arcs in animation. He also opens up about the meaning of Uncle Iroh, the real-life mentorship of Mako Iwamatsu, and why Avatar continues to shape generations of fans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices