Big Pop Fun with Tom Wilson: Recent Episodes
Big Pop Fun
Big Pop Fun with Tom Wilson is a podcast dedicated to pop, and the lives lived within its gentle influence, or tightening grasp, or soul crushing evil claws, depending on who you are. Unapologetically big and fun, Tom has lived a life that the world has seen through pop cultural lenses, and you can keep them on or take them off, but he's going to keep going anyway. Enjoy!
Ted White is a legendary Hollywood stuntman and actor, who "doubled" for John Wayne, Clark Gable, Cary Grant, and acted in scores of classic films. He also drove stunts at 100 miles per hour in "Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift" when he was 84 years old. Let's face it, he's cooler than all of us combined. Enjoy!
Tom takes a solo on his own pop image, and his stalking of pop artists Peter Max and Larry Rivers. Enjoy!
Heather King is a writer of five books, countless essays, and a veteran of "All Things Considered" on NPR. Heather and Tom consider booze, being broken, Bill Hicks, and the light. Enjoy!
In this sleigh ride, Tom takes a solo on his travels, novelists, and philosophers, including Scott Baio. Enjoy!
It's the 100th episode of Big Pop Fun, and Tom takes a solo on Ohio, Phoenix, and Rocky. Yeah, he thought the 100th episode would be a bigger deal, too! Enjoy!
After Tom talks about some Tom stuff, our P.I.T. James Arnold Taylor takes time off from voicing Obi Wan Kenobi to talk to Jason Surrell, a Walt Disney Imagineer and author. They talk about writing, the Haunted Mansion, and almost the meaning of life until James cuts Jason off (podcaster "in training"). Then Tom talks a little. Enjoy!
Tom takes a solo on journalism, recent travel, and writing a set for television without a net! Enjoy!
Tom has been an avid biker since the Beatles were popular, and he keeps us posted on the ongoing score, which is: Tom - 2, Bike Thieves - 5. Enjoy!
In this episode, Tom gets back on the horse after some time at an undisclosed location, and hands the reins over to James Arnold Taylor, P.I.T. (podcaster in training) Enjoy!
Tom takes a solo on the famous film director Taylor Hackford, and those two Hollywood legends that simply can't be thought of without immediately thinking of the other - Helen Mirren, star of "The Queen," and Danny Trejo, star of "Machete."
Tom takes a solo on the famous film director Taylor Hackford, and those two Hollywood legends that simply can't be thought of without immediately thinking of the other - Helen Mirren, star of "The Queen," and Danny Trejo, star of "Machete."
Ron Young has a life, and job, that's out of the ordinary. He's a priest. Reverend Ronald Wayne Young, OMI, came by Wilson World, and Tom asked him about what it's like to be a priest, and if he truly finds the black outfit slimming. Enjoy!
In this episode, Tom takes a solo on the richness of life, Coca Cola, and the Liberty Bell March. Enjoy!
Tom has auditioned for many thousands of projects. He's been hired on two hundred or so, tops. That should tell you something. Enjoy!
Tom is tough. He is so tough that he once slid on broken glass and threw a guy over a lunch table. But only if you heard about it, not exactly if you were there. Enjoy!
Greg Carpenter has been at the center of the tech boom since it's inception. He's been up to his elbows in the digital age, from satellites to cel phones, music production to Miscrosoft, Ralph Lauren to something else that's starts with an R. Now the CEO of Boopsie, Tom and Greg talk about phys. ed, head injuries, and sinister data collection. Enjoy!
Travis Clark is an accomplished actor, comedian, and podcaster of the Tiny Odd Conversations podcast, as well as the son of Blake Clark, the American folk hero made incredibly famous by the Big Pop Fun podcast. Enjoy!
Emilio Palame is a consummate musician, composer, arranger and producer, and talks to Tom about Buffalo, Peggy Lee, and Fredonia State University. Go Blue Devils!
Voice Over legend James Arnold Taylor returns to Big Pop Fun to talk with Tom about his two dads, his vital role in the Star Wars universe, and his forays into standup comedy, which was long ago in a galaxy pretty close.
Jonathan May is a composer and pianist of wide and varied experience, from performing his works at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., to playing ragtime piano at Disneyland while wearing a bow tie. Enjoy!
John Crist is a rising young comedian from Denver, a clever stand up comedian who was raised by the pastor of a church in rural Georgia and home schooled through his entire childhood. How did that happen? Enjoy!
Tom takes a solo on Joe Don Baker, baseball, and Scott Baio, with an added bonus or penalty song, depending on how much or little you like it. Enjoy!
Tom takes a solo on Hollywood, Cinderella, and onomatopoeia, the last one being the hardest to spell. Enjoy!
Scott Lewis continues his honest conversation with Tom, as they talk about the nature of Hollywood, celebrity, ego, and the effects they have on real life.
Scott Lewis has been an observer of Hollywood and it's grand insanity for a lifetime, but With a dad like Jerry Lewis, how could he not see a few things.
Jeff Altman is a comedian and actor with decades of experience, who started out along with David Letterman, Jay Leno, and the small group of comics who revolutionized show business from the stage of the Comedy Store on the Sunset Strip. Tom and Jeff talk about cattle additives, magic, and pratfalls. Enjoy!
David Darrow is "Dave the painting guy" on his own web series. Tom and Dave talk about painting, art school, and the uses of an art school diploma, for example, origami. Enjoy!
Kevin Michael Richardson is an actor and voice over artist whose voice has been heard on cartoons and commercials around the world. Tom and Kevin talk about Syracuse University and the play they were in together, though neither can remember what it was about. Enjoy!
Kevin Shinick is the man behind MAD the animated series and Robot Chicken, he's written for Batman, Spiderman, and has been a Broadway star. Tom and Kevin talk about UFC cage matches, game show hosting, and working hard at having fun. Enjoy!
Caitlin Gerard is an actress and writer from "The Social Network" and "Zach Stone is Gonna Be Famous." Tom and Caitlin talk about Rap videos, French, and crying. Enjoy!
Wayne Cotter is a comedian with a long list of credits, including The Tonight Show and Letterman. Either Tom or Wayne got a full scholarship to study Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. Guess which one!
Armen Weitzman is a writer and actor. Tom and Armen talk about ties, their feelings, and their new show Zach Stone is Gonna Be Famous. Enjoy!
Phil LaMarr is an actor from MAD TV, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and lots more. Tom and Phil talk about Yale University, sketch comedy, and the wind. Enjoy!
Martin Starr is an actor, writer, and musician, and Martin talks to Tom about Freaks and Geeks, Love, and hip hop bluegrass. Enjoy!
Tom takes a solo on his friend actor/comedian Larry Miller, and also e.e. cummings. Enjoy!
Noah Katz is a sound editor who's worked with George Lucas, James Cameron, and the top technical talent in the world. Tom and Noah talk about computer games, Koyaanisquatsi, and Gary Coleman's fake mustache. Enjoy!
Tom takes a solo, telling stories live at the UCB theatre in L.A. and singing a song about late night eating. Enjoy!
John Garrett was an accountant at Price Waterhouse who put down the pencil to pick up the standup microphone. How did that happen? Tom and John talk about the Azores, drastic life changes, and, unfortunately, Notre Dame University. Enjoy!
Jon Polito is an actor in theatre, movies, and television. From the historic La Mama Theatre in New York, to many Coen Brothers movies, to Gangster Squad, Jon and Tom talk about Villanova theatre, Dustin Hoffman on the set, and magical opportunities onstage. Enjoy!
Jonah Ray is a comedian, actor, writer, and punk-o-phile. Jonah and Tom talk about Hawaii, the punk sensibility, and being large.
Jake Johannsen and Tom get together one more time to eat lunch and record it. Not the eating part, they talked to each other.
Jim and I continue talking about life and our experiences on September 11th, 2001 when we were working on the same set together, until I get ticked off and change the subject. Enjoy!
Jim Hope is a comedian and writer. He's been a big shot producer on the shows Later, Titus, and The George Lopez show, and we talk about his life and work except for George Lopez. Enjoy!
Pat Fraley is a legendary actor, voice over artist, and teacher, and we talk about Grandma Nevada, Fear, and Australia. Enjoy!
Kari Coleman is an actress of wide experience, but even wider than you think. Have you ever been a fire eater in Las Vegas? She has! Enjoy!
Ann Cusack is an actress from Chicago whose early training represents the depth of the history of theatre in America. We talk about improv, life, and Lifetime Television for women.
Brandon Bird is a painter of iconic pop. We talk about painting, his Eric Roberts lunchbox, and Christopher Walken's robot factory.
Jeff Harlan is an actor and voice over talent, boasting many hundreds of national TV commercials. We talk about commercial acting, Alfred Hitchcock's birthday party, and his date with Priscilla Presley when he was in the closet. Enjoy!
Harry and I keep talking about Rodney Dangerfield, Burt Reynolds, and Rodney's memorable robe and anatomy. Enjoy!
Harry Basil is a comedian, director, and writer. We talk about Bergenfield, New Jersey, his Dad's movie camera, and our first meeting, when I kicked him out of the club.
Tom has fun with influenza, his induction in the Hall of Fame, and sings a brand new song that's easy on the ears! Enjoy!
Samm Levine is an actor with decades of experience, from Freaks and Geeks, to Inglorious Bastards and everything in between. We talk about Fort Lee, New Jersey, Freaks and Geeks, and why the two M's in "Samm." Enjoy!
Bruce Carroll is a Grammy award winning songwriter, singer, and music producer. We talk about his Dad, the vaudeville tapdancer from Waxahatchie, TX., and also about music, and his wife Nikki. Enjoy!
DC Pierson is an actor, comedian, and novelist. We talk about Phoenix, the alto saxophone, and how to write a book. Enjoy!
Walter Scott is a historic stuntman, stunt coordinator, director, and cowboy. We met on his ranch while he was roping longhorns and telling stories. Enjoy!
Mary Patterson is a comedian, actress, and former comedy agent. We talk about Annie Oakley, Alabama, and other A words.
Gary Brightwell is a comedian and radio host, and we talk about opening the show for Jeff Dunham, Bill Engvall and Julio Iglesias, and also about his long, long time girlfriend. Enjoy!
Lyle Kanouse is an actor, singer, and coach, and we talk about Texas football, Vitamin packs, and script reading.
Audrey Wasilewski is a very busy actress in every medium, and we talk about little league, E.T., and fake moustaches. Enjoy!
Bob Bledsoe chucked a career as a mortgage broker to get onstage and become a comedian and writer. It worked out! We talk about Korea, acting, and risking it all. Well, risking the Mortgage broker part, at least. Enjoy!
Mike Bayouth is an illustrator and storyboard artist, but that's not all. We talk about John Wayne, drawing pictures of accused murderers, and his Dad, the guy who played Jason in "Friday 13th." I'm not kidding.
Ethan Luck plays drums for the band Relient K, and has played guitar and bass in many other bands. He's calm demeanor belies his aggressive approach to rhythm when the amps are at eleven. Enjoy!
Improviser from the times of the dinosaur, Ned talks about the infamous Kinison fight, the dark clouds that followed, and his gig on "Love Connection." Enjoy!
Ned Gill was an early student at the inception of improv as a contemporary American art form. He's been onstage with Robin Williams, Richard Pryor, and was an early writing partner with his good friend Bill Hicks. We talk about improv, acting, and our mutual buddy Bill.
Tom is just back from Boston, with news of the Constitution, his new job description, and an unusual song. Enjoy!
Bill Fagerbakke is an actor known for playing Dauber on the sitcom "Coach," Patrick Starfish on "SpongeBob," and as a defensive lineman for the University of Idaho. Go Vandals! Yeah, that's really their mascot. Enjoy!
Heath Hyche is a unique standup comedian and actor, bringing full sets, props, and theatre pieces to stages around the world. We talk about the Auburn University Theatre program, and creating a bubble bath onstage. Enjoy!
Al Yankovic is: a) a successful and historic satirist and musician, and b) not "weird." We talk about the aural beauty of the accordion and tuba, and Al's war hero dad. Enjoy!
Writer and comedian Fred Stoller has written an ebook about his experience writing for Seinfeld. We talk about standup, his "Seinfeld Year," Mrs. Stoller, and Lillian. Enjoy!
Tom and Mark end their conversation with stories of directors Sam Fuller, George Lucas, and a furtive glance at the eight hundred pound gorilla sitting between them. Enjoy!
We continue our conversation with legendary actor and raconteur Mark Hamill, talking about The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Lee Marvin. Enjoy!
Join Tom as he takes another solo turn with stories about forest creature auditions, shore bird insights, and a song about a long lost friend. Enjoy!
Mark Hamill is an actor of experience and renown, and we talk about his dog Ralph, being a theatre misfit while growing up in Japan, and talk radio. Enjoy!
Jake Johannsen is a comedian boasting more Letterman appearances than you. Yeah, even if you've been on with Dave lots of times, he's done it more. Way more. Jake is fun, interesting, and well worth your time. Enjoy!
Stephen Hillenburg is the creator of SpongeBob Squarepants, an animator of classics for all time. He is from Anaheim, California, and knows a lot about the ocean, both the one with pineapple houses, and the real one with fish and tide pools and stuff. Enjoy!
Bill Kelly is a successful screenwriter (Blast From The Past, Enchanted) who began his career as a public access cable host with a robot sidekick. Things have improved for Bill. Enjoy!
Tom takes another solo turn with imaginary guests Christopher Guest, Portland, Short Pump, Virginia, and a song that's sure to begin arguments and online bullying! Enjoy!
The "working comic" is an easily imagined stereotype, but under that label are real human beings who go to work in an unusual way. Dennis Regan has been on The Tonight Show, Letterman, and has been a T.V. staff writer on "The King of Queens." How does that happen?
Doug Lawrence spends more time with us, discussing his famously unusual short films, and the working process of a uniquely successful artist. Enjoy!
Ralph Nelson is a legendary photographer, working on Hollywood movie sets for decades. He's been given a lifetime achievement award, has witnessed the history of Hollywood through his lenses, and now shoots all of his photographs...with an iphone. Enjoy!
Mr. Lawrence is an artist, writer, and voice over actor behind many modern classics of animation, including Ren and Stimpy, Rocco's Modern Life, and SpongeBob Squarepants. He has also crawled through many heating ducts in New Jersey. Enjoy!
Tom finishes up his talk with Blake Clark, as well as soloing on plumbing and the passion of Peter Boyle. Enjoy!
Tim Siedell is @BadBanana on Twitter, and has made a career in Hollywood on the strength of 140 character daily tweets. We talk about social networking and Omaha.
Jon Pavlovsky is an old friend, a curmudgeon, and the kind of seat of the pants producer that makes things happen - no matter the low budget, required permits, or sobriety of the star. We talk about the last shoot of Anna Nicole Smith, and other cheery thoughts.
Ben Scott is stunt coordinator of the show "Justified," and has been riding, driving, punching, and crashing into things for over thirty years. How does that happen?
In this episode, comedy legend Blake Clark talks about the Comedy Store, the comedy boom, and the comedy characters that surrounded both cultural phenomena. Enjoy!
We bid our friend Steve adieu with a long conversation that doesn't involve speaking French at all. We talk about his process for outlining and organizing ideas. Enjoy!
It's about time that Tom took another freestyle solo on laziness, poetry, and kites. Enjoy!
Blake talks about surviving the war, coming home, and using it all on The Tonight Show as a comic.
Blake Clark is a standup comedian and Viet Nam veteran, an American hero. He talks about Viet Nam, heroism, and his hatred of apricots.
Writer/Director/Producer Steve talks about film editing, punk bands, and writing "Yo Mama!" jokes for "In Living Color."
James Arnold Taylor is one of the premier voice actors in the world. He talks about being the voice of Fred Flintstone, Obi Wan Kenobi, and his real dad.
In this episode, Tom tells true tall tales about Toy Museums, Kansas City, a magazine for movie actors, and Romanian stunt men.
Writer/Producer/Director Steve Oedekerk comes back to talk about hydraulic tables, Jim Carrey, and the power of authentic apathy.
Susan Blu is one of the premier animation directors in the world, and talks to Tom about acting, directing, becoming the Pillsbury Dough Girl, and winning big in Jackpot, Nevada.
It's the first annual Big Pop Fun Christmas special, with imaginary guests John Denver, S.E. Hinton, and a potential mugging!
In part 2 of Tom's conversation with Steve Oedekerk (Ace Ventura, Bruce Almighty, Kung Pow, Jimmy Neutron) Steve talks about humble beginnings, Dad's rent demands, and getting totally ripped off on his directorial debut. Enjoy!
Steve Oedekerk has written and produced The Ace Ventura movies, The Nutty Professor movies, Bruce and Evan Almighty, Kung Pow Enter The Fist, Cowboys and Aliens, and lots more. His work has earned in the neighborhood of two billion dollars, and he talks to Tom Wilson about dolphins, movies, and how movies end up with a small village full of writers on the credits. Enjoy!
In this episode, Tom Wilson, your large and ebullient host, takes a solo on finished basements, asthma, and Gary Busey. Enjoy!
"Part two of my chat with Marc McClure, from Superman, Back To The Future, Apollo 13, and more. We talk about acting technique, Robert Zemeckis, Richard Donner, and singing."
Marc McClure played Jimmy Olsen in the Superman movies, Dave McFly in the Back To The Future movies, and has been a fixture on Hollywood sets for decades. We talk about Christopher Reeve, jockeys, and carpeting.
In episode one, Tom talks about parades, monkeys, and Michael J. Fox. And he sings a song! Episode One. Fun!