Episode 206: John Billingsley

Anson Mount played Captain Pike on Paramount Plus’ Discovery and now on Strange New Worlds. His background was theatre before he was scooped up by Hollywood. He is a lover of carpentry, nature, and podcasting. Smart and funny, he opens up about how he got into acting and his growing up going to school in Tennessee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ed Speleers is my surprise guest. Someday know him from his work on Downton Abby and Outlander, but if you listen to our podcast you will learn lots of new things about this fantastic actor who is one of the stars of Picard Season 3. You are going to fall in love. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Terry Matalas, executive producer and show runner of Picard Season is on the fast track to become one of the most prolific and creative writer-producers in Hollywood. Among his many credits, he co-created 12 Monkeys and just finished directing his pilot for Disney. We find out a bit of what makes him tick on this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexander Siddig has a long resume of film and television work. His performances are full of mystery, grace and surprises. So too is his conversation with Gates. He speaks about his wonderful, crazy life beginning with his Sudanese and British roots and how he ended up living in Massachusetts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s guest is a well-known character actor you have seen a million times but did not always recognize due to his acting talent—John Billingsley. The beloved Doctor from Star Trek Enterprise is full of surprising stories about his family and upbringing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rosalind Chao, the actress of Star Trek TNG and DS9 fame, talks theatre, television and film. She acted in one of my favorite films, The Joy Luck Club and has rarely been out of work since. Not only an actor with a wide range, she has recently become a “Matchmaker.” Take a listen and find out more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The talented Jack Quaid, a star in both Amazon Studios’ The Boys, and Paramount Plus’ The Lower Decks, is the episode guest. It is a fun conversation since this is Gates’ first encounter with Jack since their initial 10 minute meet and greet at the San Diego Comic Con. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kate Mulgrew covers a lot of ground in her conversation with Gates. Topics include Kate’s books, her ambition, Catholicism, mothers favorite writers, politics, mortality, children and even some questions about Crusher and Picard. Tune in the hear Mulgrew and McFadden share some stories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tawny Newsome and Gates find they have many things in common: love of home, crafts, improv, clowning and much laughter. Topics bound from bake sales to being in a band, ending with a discussion about lamps……yes, that kind of lamp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

William Shatner hangs with Gates and talks about childhood, parents, leaving home and how writing songs has been an incredibly fulfilling journey—-one that has given him not only a way to reflect on his lie, but also a path to one of his very treasured artistic endeavors at The Kennedy Center. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices