Sci-fi Talk

This episode features an in‑depth conversation with filmmaker and author Kenneth Johnson, one of the most influential creative voices in science fiction television. Johnson’s work reshaped how genre stories could explore human nature, social conflict, and moral complexity. From redefining Marvel’s The Incredible Hulk for television to creating the landmark alien‑invasion saga V, his career has consistently blended spectacle with emotional and philosophical depth. In this interview, we also focus on his return to the world of V through his novel V: The Second Coming—a continuation of his original vision that expands the mythology, deepens the characters, and reflects on the themes that made V a cultural touchstone.

The Bene Gesserit Sisterhood is the ancient, far‑reaching order at the heart of Sisterhood of Dune, and the novel draws heavily on Frank Herbert’s extensive background notes about their origins, training, and long‑term genetic ambitions. Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson use those notes to explore the Sisterhood at a formative moment—eighty years after the Butlerian Jihad—when their identity, power, and purpose are still being forged. The novel explores the early development of the Bene Gesserit as one of the “Great Schools” emerging after the destruction of thinking machines. Alongside the Mentats, Suk doctors, and the nascent Spacing Guild, the Sisterhood is still defining its philosophy and political role. The anti‑technology Butlerian movement is rising, creating a volatile environment in which the Sisterhood must secure its place and protect its long‑term plans.  SAVE 17% ON PLUS TODAY

Recorded live at San Diego Comic-Con 2012 This SDCC edition of Rewind on Teen Wolf captures the energy, anticipation, and behind‑the‑scenes insight from the cast as they looked ahead to the show’s ambitious third season. With Season 2 freshly wrapped and production shifting from Atlanta to Los Angeles, the cast sat down for roundtable conversations that offered early hints at the creative and character shifts to come. Featuring Holland Roden, Colton Haynes, Crystal Reed, and Tyler Hoechlin, this episode blends reflection, speculation, and the excitement of a series about to level up. SAVE 17% ON PLUS TODAY

Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures This episode dives deep into The Bride, Maggie Gyllenhaal’s bold, genre‑bending reimagining of the classic monster myth. With a cast led by Penélope Cruz as Myrna Malloy, Peter Sarsgaard as  Jake Wiles, Jessie Buckley in a triple turn as the Bride, Ida, and Mary Shelley, and Christian Bale as a creature unlike any he’s played before.

Conversations with the creative forces behind Scream 7, exploring where Sidney Prescott’s story picks up, how the film reunites Neve Campbell and Kevin Williamson, and what it means for Campbell to revisit a role that shaped her career and modern horror. Special thanks to Paramount Pictures for the audio.

This episode dives into the emotional, time‑bending, and legacy‑defining final season of Outlander. Through intimate conversations with cast and creators, we explore how the series closes its epic journey while staying true to its themes of love, resilience, and the consequences of altering history.

This month’s roundup is packed with awards buzz, casting surprises, franchise updates, and a few shocks from across the sci‑fi and genre landscape. Highlights from this episode: Sinners dominates awards season, with Ryan Coogler sharing new insights about the series in a recent Variety conversation. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms expands its cast as the Game of Thrones universe continues to grow. Vox Machina makes its long‑awaited return. Eric Dane stops by for an interview about his latest genre work. A Game of Thrones feature film officially has a screenwriter attached. Maggie Gyllenhaal discusses The Bride on Variety’s podcast, offering a deeper look at her vision. Sacha Calle joins the cast of the new Exorcist film. Bruce Campbell shares a health update with fans. Eternally Yours adds new cast members as production ramps up. Scream 7 gets an early review from Variety. Catherine O’Hara earns a SAG Award for her work in The Studio. Paradise delivers a Season 2 shocker that has fans b

This episode reaches back into the archives of your 50,000‑watt New York radio days in 1997, bringing forward a resonant conversation with LeVar Burton whern he had just released Aftermath, a speculative, cautionary tale about a near‑future America fractured by racial conflict. The discussion explores the novel’s characters, its themes of redemption and hope, and Burton’s reflections on the 20th anniversary of Roots—a role and cultural moment that continued to shape him two decades later. Tony Tellado was also joined by Peter Fletzer, then a writer for Star Wars Galaxy magazine and now the host of the Around the Galaxy podcast. Together, you revisit the excitement, controversy, and technical wizardry surrounding the 1997 Special Edition release of Star Wars: A New Hope. This episode blends literary sci‑fi, cultural history, and fandom in a way that feels both nostalgic and surprisingly current. SAVE 17% ON PLUS  

Star Trek III’s Valkris, actor of stage and screen, and star of the new film The Filmmaker This week on Trek Tuesday, we’re joined by the magnetic Catherine Shirriff, best known to Star Trek fans as Valkris, the Klingon operative who risked everything to obtain the Genesis data in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. Catherine brings warmth, humor, and a treasure trove of behind‑the‑scenes stories from across her remarkable career. In This Episode ⭐ Her New Film: The Filmmaker Catherine dives into her latest project, The Filmmaker, a bold and intimate story told entirely from the main character’s point of view. She shares what drew her to the film’s unusual narrative style, how the production challenged her creatively, and why this project feels unlike anything she’s done before. ⭐ Becoming Valkris Catherine reflects on her time in the Star Trek universe, including: The makeup and prosthetic process that transformed her into the mysterious Klingon spy What it was like working under the direction of Leonar

Roundtable Excerpt with Eric Dane   In this excerpt from a roundtable I covered, we hear from actor Eric Dane, whose career spanned television and film with memorable roles in Charmed, Grey’s Anatomy, X-Men: The Last Stand, Marley & Me, Valentine’s Day, Burlesque, and Bad Boys: Ride or Die. Born in San Francisco, Dane’s early life as a high school water polo athlete took a dramatic turn after performing in All My Sons, sparking his passion for acting. He moved to Los Angeles in 1993, where small roles sustained him until his first film appearance in The Basket. In 2012, he took command of the USS Nathan James as Captain Tom Chandler in The Last Ship, a role that brought us together for this roundtable conversation. Dane was candid, thoughtful, and engaging—a presence that left a lasting impression. Beyond the screen, Dane’s life was marked by personal challenges. He married actor Rebecca Gayheart and together they raised two daughters. He faced depression and a dependency on prescription drugs, and was la

In this episode of Byte, Anthony Zooms with George Hawkins, one of the breakout stars of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Known for his charismatic portrayal of a bold, swagger‑heavy cadet, Hawkins opens up about the layers beneath the bravado, the emotional core of his character’s friendship with Jay-Den, and the pivotal storyline involving his leadership failure against the War College.

In this episode, we journey into the emotional and cultural core of the Ms. Marvel universe with acclaimed Pakistani actor Mehwish Hayat, who brings to life the pivotal character Aisha, Kamala Khan’s great‑grandmother and the keeper of a legacy that shapes a superhero. Aisha is more than a figure from the past—she is the spark that ignites Kamala’s understanding of identity, ancestry, and power. Through Hayat’s performance, the series bridges generations, continents, and histories, grounding a Marvel story in the lived experiences of migration, Partition, and family mythology. Why Aisha Matters Aisha’s story is a reminder that the extraordinary often begins with the ordinary—mothers, daughters, and the threads of memory that bind them. Her presence in Ms. Marvel reframes heroism as something inherited, lived, and passed down, not just discovered. About Mehwish Hayat A celebrated star of Pakistani cinema and television, Hayat brings depth, nuance, and emotional clarity to every role. Her portrayal of Aisha add

For this episode, we open the time capsule to a spirited and unforgettable roundtable recorded at New York Comic Con, where the one and only Adam West sat down to reflect on stepping back into the cape for The Return of the Caped Crusaders. Decades after defining Batman for an entire generation, West embraced the chance to revisit the character who made him a global icon. The animated film reunited him with Burt Ward and Julie Newmar, rekindling the bright, mischievous, and delightfully earnest energy of the 1966 series — a tone that still stands apart in the superhero landscape. Beloved for his iconic portrayal of Batman, Adam West brought a singular blend of comedic timing, earnestness, and charisma to the role. The Return of the Caped Crusaders stands as a celebration of his legacy and a final salute to the version of Batman that taught the world how fun a hero could be. SAVE 17% On PLUS  

On Rewind, a sit down with filmmaker, writer, podcaster, and pop‑culture ambassador Kevin Smith to revisit the creation and legacy of his AMC reality series Comic Book Men. Running from 2012 to 2018, the show became a celebration of fandom, friendship, and the magic of the local comic shop — all rooted in Kevin’s real‑life store, Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash in Red Bank, New Jersey. Recorded at New York Comic-Con, this conversation captures Kevin at his most candid and enthusiastic as he reflects on how a simple idea — turning the everyday life of his comic shop into a TV series — became a six‑season phenomenon. The Origin Story Before it became Comic Book Men, the series was originally titled Secret Stash, named after Kevin’s beloved shop. It was a natural fit: Kevin owned the store, the staff were characters in their own right, and the world of comics was exploding into mainstream culture. The timing was perfect. AMC wanted a companion series to follow The Walking Dead, and Kevin’s blend of geek cultur

In this episode, a sit down with acclaimed costume designer Natalie Bronfman, whose work spans some of the most visually striking and emotionally charged productions of the last decade. From the dystopian iconography of The Handmaid’s Tale, to the tactile, world‑building detail of See Season Two, to the stylized tension of the recent Psycho Killer, Bronfman’s designs reveal a deep understanding of character, culture, and the power of clothing to shape story. Our conversation was recorded a few years ago at San Diego Comic-Con, where Natalie reflected on the winding, hands-on journey that led her to become one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary costume design. About Natalie Bronfman Natalie’s path into costume design wasn’t linear — and that’s part of what makes her work so layered. She learned the craft from the ground up, absorbing everything from textile knowledge to tailoring, from historical research to the psychology of color and silhouette. That breadth of experience informs her ability to d

Tony Tellado chatted with actor, director, and now novelist Lou Diamond Phillips to explore the sweeping sci‑fi epic at the heart of his book Tinderbox: Soldier of Indira.  At the center of this universe is Everson, a young man who never wanted to be a soldier but was forced into service by his parents. His very first battle goes catastrophically wrong, leaving him stranded on an enemy world where every step could be his last. What follows is a journey of survival, identity, and destiny. SAVE 17% ON PLUS TODAY

Inside the Chaos, Craft, and Creative Fire of Genre Filmmaking Audio courtesy of 20th Century Fox For this special Byte episode, from the red carpet at Beyond Fest, one of the world’s most beloved celebrations of genre cinema. From breakout performers to the creative minds shaping the look, feel, and sound of the films, this episode captures the pulse of a festival where horror, sci‑fi, and bold storytelling reign.

Audio courtesy of Starz In this special episode of Byte, Tony brings together the cast of Outlander for a heartfelt, spirited, and often hilarious conversation as they answer fan questions and reflect on the journey to their final season. This isn’t just a press stop — it’s a gathering of a family looking back on a decade of storytelling, connection, and time‑bending adventure.

In this episode of Exploring Humanity Through Sci‑Fi, we dive into the artistry, engineering, and personal expression behind what we wear in our favorite worlds — from blockbuster cinema to the convention floor. Costume Designer Melissa Bruning and cosplayer, designer, and author Yaya Han join us for a conversation that bridges professional filmmaking and the passionate craft of fandom. Featuring: Melissa Bruning — Costume Designer Melissa Bruning has shaped the look of some of the most visually ambitious genre films of the last decade. Her work includes: Space Jam: A New Legacy War for the Planet of the Apes Dawn of the Planet of the Apes Bosch: Legacy on television Yaya Han — Cosplayer, Designer, Author A pioneer in the modern cosplay movement, Yaya Han discovered cosplay at Anime Expo in 1999 — a moment that changed the trajectory of her life. Since then, she has become: A globally recognized cosplayer and designer A model and entrepreneur Author of Yaya Han’s World of Cosplay A featured

A Cadet at a Crossroads  In this Trek Tuesday Thursday Special, Tony Zoomed with George Hawkins, the performer behind Darem Reymi on Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Episode seven marks a turning point for Darem — a moment where the young cadet must confront a life‑altering decision that will shape not only his future, but his place within Starfleet itself.  Inside the Episode Seven Deep Dive George and Tony explore: The internal conflict between personal desire and Starfleet responsibility A Klingon Connection: Jay-Den and the Power of Unlikely Friendships One of the most intriguing threads this season has been Darem’s dynamic with his Klingon classmate Jay-Den. War Games, Rivalries, and Leadership Under Pressure George also reflects on the standout episode where Darem unexpectedly leads the cadets in a war game against the War College — a storyline sparked by a series of escalating practical jokes between the two groups. SAVE 17% ON SCI-FI TALK PLUS