Taboo's Comics & Kicks

How did Hollywood's most underestimated horror comedy become a cultural phenomenon? Actor Jon Abrahams, best known for playing Bobby Prinze in Scary Movie, joins Taboo for a Halloween edition of Comics & Kicks, revisiting the making of the 2000 comedy classic. Jon reveals how he landed his role without an audition, what it was like working with Keenen Ivory Wayans and the Wayans family, and how th...

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 Zemecki...

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 s...

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 m...

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...

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 choi...

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...

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 o...

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 choi...

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 de...

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 a...

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 seri...

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 unforgett...

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 animat...

Tara Strong joins Taboo to tell the stories behind Teen Titans’ Raven, The Fairly OddParents’ Timmy Turner, The Powerpuff Girls, Rugrats’ Baby Dil, My Little Pony’s Twilight Sparkle, Harley Quinn, Batgirl, Wicked, and the magic of becoming some of the most iconic voices in animation history. In this episode, Tara breaks down how Raven found her dark, unforgettable voice, why Timmy Turner worked so...

Jodie Sweetin joins Taboo’s Comics & Kicks for Part 2 of her conversation, this time diving into Fuller House, the Netflix reboot, Bob Saget, the Olsen twins, Stephanie Tanner’s adult storyline, and the Full House family coming back together. Description:Jodie Sweetin returns to Taboo’s Comics & Kicks for a Fuller House-focused conversation with Taboo. Jodie talks about life before the reboot, wor...

Jodie Sweetin joins Taboo for Part 1 of a two-part conversation about Full House, Stephanie Tanner, Bob Saget, and the sitcom that became a generational classic. From the original pilot story to the Tanner family’s lasting legacy, Jodie looks back on the moments fans still love today. Description:Jodie Sweetin sits down with Taboo’s Comics & Kicks to revisit her years as Stephanie Tanner on Full H...

Clifton Collins Jr. joins Taboo for a powerful conversation about acting, identity, legacy, and the roles that changed his life. Clifton reflects on working with Samuel L. Jackson on 187, the rehearsal moment that raised his standard as an actor, and the emotional intensity behind his work in Capote. He also shares the wild story of almost landing Saving Private Ryan, from sneaking a script to lea...

The Mixon Brothers join Taboo’s Comics and Kicks to revisit The Nutty Professor, Eddie Murphy’s “HERCULES” moment, Jim Carrey’s wild improv on Me, Myself & Irene, and the night they were in Las Vegas when Tupac was shot. Jamal and Jerod Mixon sit down with Taboo for a hilarious, nostalgic, and story-packed conversation about growing up in Los Angeles, breaking into Hollywood, and becoming part of...

Alisan Porter joins Taboo’s Comics and Kicks to revisit Curly Sue, Parenthood with Steve Martin, and her journey from child star to winning The Voice. She shares behind-the-scenes stories from classic Hollywood sets, early-2000s nightlife, motherhood, music, and finding her voice again. Alisan Porter sits down with Taboo for a wide-ranging conversation about growing up on screen, finding her ident...

Kid from Kid ‘n Play revisits Class Act 34 years later and explains why the movie became a hidden classic for real fans of the duo. Christopher “Kid” Reid joins Taboo for a conversation about playing Duncan Pinderhughes, the chemistry behind Kid ‘n Play’s dance scenes, the playful comedy style that made Class Act age so well, and the larger Kid ‘n Play legacy across House Party, their NBC cartoon,...

Kathleen Herles, the original voice of Dora the Explorer, reflects on getting the role at seven years old, growing up on Nickelodeon, and the impact Dora had on Latino representation, bilingual storytelling, and kids around the world. In this conversation with Taboo, Kathleen opens up about her Queens upbringing, her Peruvian family, the work ethic that shaped her, and the emotional full-circle mo...

Gridiron Gang was real football, real hits, and real second chances. Jade Scott Yorker and Joseph Raymond Lucero Chavez look back on Willie Weathers, The Rock, Xzibit, and the true-life energy behind the movie. Nearly 20 years after Gridiron Gang, Jade and Joseph join Taboo to revisit the film’s legacy, from Joseph’s path from prison to Homeboy Industries to Hollywood, to filming inside Camp Kilpa...