Celebrity Interviews

Jay Underwood's career encompasses some of the most beloved films of the 1980s, from his breakout role as the non-speaking autistic title character in "The Boy Who Could Fly" to his memorable turn as the despised boyfriend Bud opposite John Candy in John Hughes' "Uncle Buck." Working with Hughes taught Jay the value of improvisation and creative freedom, as the legendary filmmaker would shoot the script first, then keep cameras rolling to let actors experiment and try different approaches. Those formative experiences working with comedy greats and visionary directors provided invaluable lessons about character development, storytelling, and connecting with audiences. Yet perhaps the most fascinating chapter of Jay's Hollywood story remained untold for 25 years: the mystery of Roger Corman's "The Fantastic Four," a completed film that never saw theatrical release despite generating buzz, magazine covers, and a scheduled premiere at the Mall of America.

The new documentary "Doom: The Untold Story of Roger Corman's The Fantastic Four" finally reveals the elaborate rights scheme that doomed the production. A German producer needed to maintain Fantastic Four rights before they expired on December 31, 1993, so he funded Corman's million-dollar version simply to keep the rights and sell them to 20th Century Fox for substantial profit. The actors, believing they were creating their breakthrough opportunity, stayed faithful to the comic book characters only to have the film pulled weeks before premiere. Now serving as a full-time pastor in Northern California's mountains, Jay has discovered how his acting skills translate beautifully to ministry—his storytelling ability, understanding of human nature, and animated preaching style all stem from years studying characters and connecting with audiences. His journey from Hollywood to the pulpit reflects a man who followed his evolving faith, declined scripts that conflicted with his values, and found that God had been preparing him for ministry all along, weaving together past and present in unexpected and meaningful ways.

After 13 years of dedicated work and self-funding, Shelley Morrison (beloved for her role as Rosario on Will and Grace) and her husband Walter Dominguez are finally premiering their documentary "Weaving the Past: Journey of Discovery" at Pasadena's Laemmle Playhouse Seven Theaters. The film chronicles Walter's personal quest to uncover his grandfather's involvement in the Mexican Revolution and find family members lost for nearly a century. What began as a family history project evolved into a powerful educational tool that examines one of history's most violent revolutions, where one in five Mexicans died between 1910 and 1920. The documentary explores how this conflict drove waves of refugees northward, fundamentally shaping the cultural landscape of the American Southwest and creating immigration patterns that continue to influence policy debates today.

The couple's 41-year marriage has been strengthened through this collaborative journey, with Shelley serving as executive producer and learning technical skills while in her late seventies. Early screenings have generated remarkable responses, with young people expressing newfound desire to interview their elders and history teachers incorporating the film into curricula. Shelley's activism extends beyond the documentary, having successfully campaigned to save a historic church in downtown Los Angeles that Walter's grandfather helped establish in 1911. Their grassroots approach prioritizes making the film accessible to educators and community groups, believing that connecting personal family histories with broader historical contexts makes learning compelling and relevant. The documentary proves that understanding our shared past provides wisdom for navigating present challenges, from immigration crises to questions of cultural identity and preservation.

In this heartfelt conversation, actor and comedian Ken Jeong joins The Neil Haley Show to discuss the final season of his ABC sitcom "Dr. Ken," calling it "the greatest year of my career." Jeong opens up about the bittersweet experience of taping the show's final episode and shares insights into his favorite episode of the season, where his character Ken takes his TV daughter Molly and her friends to an M-3 concert in an attempt to reconnect as she pulls away during her teenage years. The episode resonates deeply with Jeong, who has twin daughters of his own approaching similar ages, and he describes feeling genuine emotional pain during scenes where his TV daughter, brilliantly played by Krista Marie Yu, wants him to go away. Jeong also discusses the joy of bringing friends from his previous series Community onto Dr. Ken, as well as working with comedy heroes like Jeffrey Ross, creating a true family atmosphere on set that exemplifies what family comedy is all about.

The conversation takes a thoughtful turn as Jeong and host Neil Haley explore the universal challenges fathers face when connecting with their daughters, particularly during the tumultuous teenage years. Jeong reflects on how fathers instinctively treat daughters differently than sons, often overcompensating or becoming control freaks in ways that create more problems than solutions. He draws a crucial distinction between his real-life personality and his TV character Ken Park, noting that while he has self-awareness that allows him to check his controlling tendencies, his character lacks any self-awareness whatsoever, leading to comedic but relatable family conflicts. The discussion touches on the show's authentic portrayal of father-daughter relationships and how men often struggle with the need to "fix" problems rather than simply being present for the emotional journey, offering both laughs and genuine wisdom for parents navigating these challenging but precious years.

Kate Flannery, beloved for her unforgettable portrayal of Meredith Palmer on "The Office," joins the show to discuss her latest role as Principal Saperstein in Hulu's new comedy series "All Night." The unique premise features an entire season taking place during one graduation night at a high school, where students are locked in for their grad night dance without their phones, forced to navigate their final hours together before moving on to the next phase of life. Flannery describes her character as "the human buzzkill," tasked with the impossible job of controlling hormonal teenagers who don't want to listen, while working alongside talented young actors including former Disney Channel stars and Ali Grant from "Suburgatory." She reveals that maintaining continuity throughout the single-night timeline meant the cast couldn't gain an ounce of weight during filming, and fans have already begun binge-watching the series since its recent Hulu release.

Beyond her new series, Flannery answers a fan-submitted question about where Meredith Palmer would be five years after "The Office" documentary, playfully suggesting she'd be "four and a half years sober" before joking that Meredith would likely still be drinking, partying, and working at Dunder Mifflin as long as they'd have her—possibly even in a relationship with the guy she was dancing with at Phyllis and Bob Vance's wedding. She also confirms the behind-the-scenes secret that yes, she really did lick hand sanitizer on the show, though it was specially made with clear gelatin and club soda rather than actual sanitizer. Flannery discusses her other recent roles, including the beloved crossing guard Sandy on "American Housewife" (with hints she may return) and Mean Marge on "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," humorously imagining that if all three characters met, "a fist fight would break out" and "television as we know it would never be the same." She also promotes her ongoing Christmas tour with Jane Lynch and their album "A Swingin' Little Christmas," featuring ten classic carols and five original songs, with upcoming performances at the Carlisle Hotel in New York City and Pittsburgh in early December.

Former NFL first-round draft pick and University of Miami legend Randall Hill joins the show to share his remarkable journey from professional football to a distinguished 20-year career in federal law enforcement. Hill, who played seven seasons in the NFL and won two national championships with the Hurricanes, offers a candid look at how he successfully transitioned from the gridiron to becoming a criminal investigator, proving that life after sports can be just as impactful as playing days.

Hill credits his parents, both educators, and legendary coach Jimmy Johnson for instilling the discipline and focus on education that prepared him for success beyond football. His connection to law enforcement began during his playing days when he spoke at the FBI Miami Field Office in the mid-1990s, leading to a conversation with former FBI Deputy Director Paul Phillip that would chart the course for his second career. After retiring from the NFL, Hill spent just two months away before joining the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, then quickly moved to federal service with U.S. Customs in 2003, where he served until his recent retirement in December 2024.

Professional dancer Sharna Burgess joins The Neil Haley Show to discuss her recovery from a serious knee injury sustained during Dancing with the Stars dress rehearsal. In a candid conversation, Burgess explains how a seemingly minor wardrobe malfunction—an overly long skirt—led to a grade two MCL tear when she stepped on the fabric and her knee bent unnaturally. The injury is particularly significant given her medical history: 16 years earlier, she suffered an ACL tear that she danced on too soon, ultimately rupturing it completely. This painful lesson has informed her current decision-making process about when to return to the competition floor. Burgess shares that former dance partner and Pittsburgh Steelers player Antonio Brown reached out with support, physical therapy recommendations, and encouragement to prioritize her health, demonstrating the lasting friendships formed through the show.

Despite being sidelined from performing, Burgess remains deeply involved with her celebrity partner James, serving as his choreographer and teacher while a replacement partner handles the on-floor dancing duties. She expresses complete confidence in James's talent and work ethic, predicting he'll reach the finals and deserves to be there. Burgess emphasizes that her true passion lies in creating choreography and telling stories through dance, making each day at work a pleasure despite the occasional creative blocks. She acknowledges the difficult balance between her desire to return immediately and the necessity of protecting her long-term career—rushing back could sideline her for six months, affecting not only the current season but potentially the next one as well. Looking ahead, Burgess discusses the upcoming Dancing with the Stars Live tour launching immediately after the season concludes, which she describes as refreshing and liberating since it features professional dancers performing without judges, celebrities, or teaching responsibilities. Fans can follow her journey at @SharnaBurgess on social media and visit dwtslive.com for tour information.

In this captivating conversation, host Neil Haley welcomes Tami Stronach, the actress who captured hearts worldwide as the Childlike Empress in the 1984 fantasy classic The NeverEnding Story. Stronach shares the remarkable story of how a chance encounter with a casting agent at her San Francisco acting class led to three auditions across two continents, ultimately landing her the iconic role at just 10 years old. She opens up about the intense filming experience at Bavaria Studios in Germany, working with director Wolfgang Petersen, and how the grueling but magical shoot instilled in her a lifelong love of fantasy storytelling. Despite the film's massive success and her memorable performance, Stronach reveals the thoughtful family decision to walk away from Hollywood as a child, turning down scripts that didn't align with her values, including some that contained violence and nudity inappropriate for an 11-year-old.

Now, decades later, Stronach has come full circle in her creative journey. After dedicating 20 years to professional dance in New York City, performing with various companies, running her own dance troupe, teaching at Marymount Manhattan College, and acting in theater productions, she has launched Paper Canoe Company with her husband. This family entertainment venture creates shows, concerts, and content that echo the whimsical spirit of The NeverEnding Story while involving their daughter Maya in the creative process. Stronach discusses her recent return to the public eye through comic conventions and social media (Twitter: @NeverEndingTammy), expressing genuine surprise and gratitude that fans continue to cherish the film and encourage her to return to screen acting. She reflects on how fantasy stories help us process difficult realities, the formative impact of childhood experiences, and her excitement about potentially exploring film acting again after focusing on live performance for so many years.

Host Neil Haley sits down with Grammy Award-winning country music and southern rock legend Charlie Daniels for an intimate conversation about his iconic career, his surprise mega-hit "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," and what keeps him performing after more than fifty years in the business. Charlie candidly admits he had no idea his 1979 recording would become the phenomenon it did, explaining that you simply can't manufacture or predict that kind of success—you just take your God-given talent and go for it. He shares his amazement that the song still remains the biggest crowd-pleaser at his concerts and continues to receive regular radio airplay decades later, with the fastest chart climb of any record in his career when it was released. What surprises Charlie most is the song's global reach, noting it's become a massive hit even in countries where English isn't the primary language, and that teenagers who have never heard of him instantly recognize "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" when asked about it.

Charlie reveals what truly drives him to continue touring and performing at such a high level: a genuine, deep love for entertaining people and walking on stage. After devoting over fifty years to mastering his craft, he explains that performing is one of the few times in his life when he truly feels like he knows what he's doing. He discusses his recent projects, including "Don't Get No Better Than That," a song written specifically for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo that captures the excitement of Las Vegas during rodeo season and celebrates cowboys working all year for their shot at the big time. Charlie also shares the story behind his live album recorded at Billy Bob's Texas, part of a series featuring artists like Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson, praising the venue's incredible atmosphere where audiences arrive ready to party. In a humorous moment, he reveals his unconventional relationship with the fiddle, admitting he's entirely self-taught, never had a lesson, can't read music, and does everything technically "wrong"—but it works perfectly for his signature style, warning aspiring players not to copy his technique or they'll drive their violin teachers crazy.

Host Neil Haley welcomes Spanx founder and Shark Tank guest shark Sara Blakely for an inspiring conversation about entrepreneurship, innovation, and staying connected to your purpose. Sara shares her remarkable journey of starting Spanx with just five thousand dollars from her Atlanta apartment without any formal business training, explaining how this experience allows her to deeply relate to the entrepreneurs pitching on Shark Tank who are betting everything on their dreams. She discusses the unique dynamics of sitting between sharks Kevin O'Leary and Mark Cuban, noting how their numbers-driven, deal-focused approach contrasted with her emphasis on understanding each entrepreneur's "why" and purpose behind their venture. Sara reveals that after seventeen years in business, she attributes her sustained success to remaining connected to the purpose behind each product she creates, rather than getting lost in metrics alone.

Sara introduces her philosophy of "finding the white space" in the market and emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurs articulating why they're different from every other option available. She advises aspiring business owners to sell the problem they're solving rather than just the product itself, explaining that if you can clearly define the problem, present your solution, and demonstrate why you're the best option, investors will be all in. Sara also unveils her latest invention, Arm Tights, addressing a gap she noticed in her own closet where sleeveless dresses and tops couldn't be worn during fall and winter months. The innovative crop top made from tights material provides arm coverage while maintaining a sleek silhouette, allowing women to transform sleeveless pieces into long-sleeve looks. As a mother of four children under eight, Sara shares how she balances her roles as an inventor, CEO, and parent, offering authentic glimpses into her struggles, triumphs, and the real challenges of being a working woman through her Instagram presence at Sara Blakely and Spanx.com.

Kerry Frances joins the show to discuss her role in Netflix's latest blockbuster "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery," revealing an extraordinary career story that most actors only dream about. Both her role as Tammy the morgue girl in this third Knives Out installment and her original role as Sally (Frank Oz's assistant) in the 2019 film were written specifically for her by writer-director Ryan Johnson and offered directly—no auditions required. Kerry shares the surreal experience of her very first movie being a major theatrical release that became a cultural phenomenon, and the hilarious moment when she admitted to Ryan that she didn't know who Frank Oz was, leading to a friendship with the legendary puppeteer and director. She discusses working with an all-star ensemble cast including Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Kerry Washington, Daniel Craig, and Josh O'Connor (with whom she discovered she shares a birthday), and praises the intelligent writing that refuses to dumb down content for audiences.

Beyond her acting success, Kerry is launching her career as a writer, director, and producer with remarkable momentum. Her first short film recently won her Best Actor at an Oscar-qualifying festival (Holly Shorts), and she's currently in meetings shopping five feature scripts and two pilots to studios and networks. Kerry discusses the current state of television, expressing her belief that we'll see a resurgence of 22-24 episode seasons and sitcoms following economic patterns, and shares her theory that sitcoms typically emerge near the end of recessions. She also reveals her music career, having placed an original song in her recent rom-com "Us and Ourselves" and released a Christmas single, both available on streaming platforms. As a self-described "business-minded opportunist storyteller," Kerry is navigating Hollywood without a traditional talent agent or manager, relying on the relationships she's built and the quality of her work. Her final wisdom: "You've got to be on your own team. You have to be your biggest cheerleader" and do the inner work—therapy, somatic healing, and building a strong foundation—to show up as your best self and make your dreams come true.