Justin Whalin | Child's Play 3

Esai Morales joins Taboo on Comics & Kicks to reveal the untold stories behind La Bamba, the beloved 1987 film that made his portrayal of Bob Morales unforgettable. Esai explains why he chose Bob over Ritchie Valens, passing on a Spielberg-associated project, and how meeting the real Bob helped him capture the character's anger, vulnerability, and complicated love for his brother. He also shares heartfelt memories of Elizabeth Peña, stories about working alongside Lou Diamond Phillips and Rosanna DeSoto, and the real injury that made it into the film. The conversation culminates in an emotional breakdown of La Bamba's iconic “RITCHIE!” scream, as Esai reveals the guilt, grief, and imperfection that gave the scene its lasting power. Nearly four decades later, Esai reflects on why La Bamba continues to resonate with generations of fans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 their unconventional rehearsal process helped bring the film's outrageous characters to life. From hilarious moments with Shawn Wayans and Anna Faris to deleted jokes, unforgettable scenes, and the film's unexpected box-office success, Jon shares stories from inside the production that helped redefine horror parody. He also discusses returning for Scary Movie 6, the evolution of comedy, and why the original movie continues to resonate with audiences more than 25 years later. A nostalgic, behind-the-scenes celebration of Scary Movie, the Wayans family's creative legacy, and the comedy that defined a generation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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