I’m Michael Rosenbaum, I’ve spent the better part of the last two decades in and out of film and television - mostly known for playing the bald dude on the show Smallville. I’m the guy that you probably don’t know by name, but when you see my face you might say “oh, that guy from that thing.” I’ve befriended some of the most talented people in the business, but it wasn’t until I started inviting them into my home that I realized, I didn’t really know these people. What started as me having some fun, quickly evolved into something I’ve fallen in love with. What I’ve discovered is that all these people aren’t that different from you and me. They have the same insecurities and flaws that we all deal with every day. In a dark, yet enlightening way... I find a lot of comfort in that. I invite you all to join me while I get inside each of these fascinating people.
267 Available Episodes (267 Total)Average duration: 01:15:54
Apr 18, 2023
SCOTT CAAN: Lessons From James Caan, Leaving Hawaii Five-0, Making One Day As a Lion & Settling Down
01:19:26
** Scott's new film ONE DAY AS A LION is now available On Digital and On Demand! **
Scott Caan (Hawaii Five-0, Alert) joins us this week to talk about how his approach to this industry has evolved over the years and what the difficulties are of coming off of a procedural like Hawaii Five-0 after a decade. Scott opens up fondly about his relationship with his late father James Caan, why his loss was somewhat relieving, and how his childhood was both a hero’s tale and cautionary lesson. He also talks about writing and starring in his new film One Day As a Lion opposite JK Simmons, his deep friendship with the late great Paul Walker, and the discipline he’s gained through decades of jiu jitsu.
BRENT SPINER: Data’s Return From the Dead, Star Trek Negotiations, Pissing Off Shatner & Terrifying Stunts
01:17:28
Brent Spiner (Star Trek, Independence Day) joins us this week to drop some bombs about a certain someone’s return from the dead in Picard Season 3. Brent shares how he feels about being recognized (mostly) for a single character as Data in Star Trek - and later gets into the weeds on what his experience with the android has been like over the last few decades. We also talk about lessons learned from Joe DiMaggio, how he beat himself out for a Saturn Award, and tons of stories from his other roles in Night Court, Master of Disguise, and more!
MORENA BACCARIN: Deadpool Situation, Impostor Syndrome, Chaos with Ben McKenzie & Firefly Reunion
01:12:53
Morena Baccarin (Deadpool, Gotham) rejoins us this week to share her side of the situation with Deadpool 3 while remembering fond times on set with Ryan Reynolds and traumatic underwater stunts that got cut. Morena talks about thriving in the chaos of being a working mother of three and how her husband, Ben McKenzie, has been helping sound the horn against the current crypto bubble in his new book. We also talk about her thoughts on a return to Firefly, how she was involved in the It’s Always Sunny origins, and why she still struggles with impostor syndrome despite success throughout her career.
DAVID WAIN: Making ‘Wet Hot’, Nude Auditions, Paul Rudd Brilliance, Need For Structure & Niche Comedy
01:30:11
David Wain (Wet Hot American Summer, Role Models) joins us this week to share how he’s paved his unique path in comedy for decades without sacrificing his style for commercial recognition. David takes us back to his early days at NYU bumping shoulders with guys like Ken Marino and Joe Lo Truglio, going on to form a group full of comedic household names in The State. We also talk about finding the brilliance in Paul Rudd’s performance, issues shooting Wet Hot, and staying creative while preferring structure.
LARSEN THOMPSON: Props from Beyoncé , Not Taking Things Fricken Serious, Ditching Perfectionism & Working with P!nk
01:29:27
Larsen Thompson (The Midnight Club, Horrorscope) was an amazing fricken guest this week. She shared her early entry into acting after having to walk away from her passion of dancing for health concerns. Larsen opens up on the idea of her perfectionism and how she’s learned to turn that off while acting, prioritizing performance over her own appearance and ego. We also talk about working with Mike Flanagan on The Midnight Club, her first role under Anthony LaPaglia, and how a retweet from Beyoncé helped catapult her career.
MICHAEL BIEHN: Hitting Rock Bottom, Facing Off with James Cameron, Trouble on Tombstone & LOTS MORE STORIES!
01:31:30
Michael Biehn (Terminator, Aliens, Tombstone) joins us this week and shares countless memories from his storied career. From his tenure alongside James Cameron, to his fond memories with Bill Paxton, and even revealing the truth about Michael Rooker - Biehn has a ton of fun stories this week. Not only that, but Michael opens up on his dependency on alcohol early in his career, and how hitting rock bottom was the only way to prevent more self destruction. We also get into his friendship with Doug Stanhope, the mess of working on Tombstone, and how he’s gained his confidence back after a stroke.
SAM WITWER: SiFi Snafu on Being Human, Harmful TMZ Rumors, Kicked Out of Julliard, Lucasfilm Favors & Smallville
01:31:39
Sam Witwer (Being Human, Star Wars) joins us this week and we get deep. He opens up about reassessing his life and how people’s impression of him being a screw up molded his self image for years. Sam talks about how this industry encourages people to hide vulnerability and put up a front; and how some of the false fame that can come as a side effect of this can be harmful to your mental health. Whole lot of real life talk in this episode, but we also get into Sam’s love for (and career with) the Star Wars franchise, how some of the SiFi issues resolved on Being Human, and his experience in Season 8 of Smallville.
RACHAEL LEIGH COOK: Haunted by Potential, She’s All That Reflection, Life Changing Motherhood & Dangerous Sets
01:22:34
Rachael Leigh Cook (She’s All That, A Tourists Guide to Love) joins us this week and shares her story of quickly moving from Hollywood aspirations growing up in Minnesota to feeling like she was playing catch-up, unable to enjoy the success of the late 90’s box office smash: She’s All That. Rachael was amazing this week!! She talks about the idea of feeling haunted by potential and the weight of the expectations she placed on herself, because of the solid upbringing and support she had behind her. We also talked about how motherhood was the ultimate life changing switch, how entertainment is a game of ‘pay now’ or ‘pay later,’ and some infamously uncomfortable audition stories.
JIM GAFFIGAN: Handling Humiliation, Letterman Validation, Anxiety on Stage, & Fulfillment in Acting
01:20:01
Jim Gaffigan (Linoleum, I’m Too Lazy) joins us this week to share his journey as a creative - evolving from a realization that he may never be successful, to becoming a household name as a stand up comic during the Comedy Central heyday, and eventually pursuing indie roles as an actor to satisfy his need for creative fulfillment. Jim talks about his experience growing up as an outsider in middle America and how he had to battle anxiety and stage fright early on in his career doing standup. We also talk about the idea of handling rejection, how he weighs new opportunities in light of his wife’s health, and the empty success of living up to someone else’s expectations.
JONATHAN FRAKES: Star Trek Reunion, New Season of Picard, Recording with Phish & Director Pain Points
01:18:14
Jonathan Frakes (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Picard) joins us this week to take us where no guest has gone before… sharing his experience over three decades in the Star Trek franchise and teasing a special reunion during this new season of Picard. Jonathan talks about his experience playing Riker, working with the one and only Patrick Stewart, and the cast’s reaction to learning about Wil Wheaton’s situation off set. We also talk about handling loss, his credit with Phish, and some hilarious stories from his late great father.