Wil Wheaton joins Brent Spiner and Jonny Frakes on Dropping Names and starts with the movie everyone knows him for, Stand By Me, then keeps going to the part nobody talks about. He explains how a memo from David Gerrold about the kid from Stand By Me is the reason Wesley Crusher exists at all, and how narrating the Stephen King novella The Body four decades later triggered a full five senses flashback to the day they shot the Gordie and Chris scene, right down to River Phoenix in his eyeline and the boom operator in powder blue corduroy shorts. He also talks about the touring anniversary screenings with Jerry O'Connell and Corey Feldman, losing Rob Reiner, and standing in a tiny green room at the Oscars trying not to fall apart while telling Meg Ryan what Joe Versus the Volcano and When Harry Met Sally meant to him.

There is a lot more here than Star Trek: The Next Generation. Wil tells the story of meeting his hero Henry Rollins, recognising the Black Flag tattoo on the back of his neck, and then failing to get out of a locked recording studio door. He talks about the Family Ties job he lost to Star Trek, the director on The Buddy System who moved him around by the elbow while Susan Sarandon and Richard Dreyfuss looked after him, and the on set teacher Marion Fife who asked him what he wanted to do with his life when nobody else would. There is LeVar Burton blessing the podcast It's Story Time with Wil Wheaton, Ready Player One possibly being the best selling audiobook ever recorded, celebrity Jeopardy against Ike Barinholtz and Patton Oswalt, a public apology to Ken Jennings, his son Ryan growing wheat in the desert, and the line about Jonathan Frakes used to be cool that has followed Jonny around for thirty five years.

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A few minutes in, Brent Spiner stops the interview cold to tell Noah Wyle, as a friend rather than a host, that The Pitt is the best thing on television and that Noah is the reason. The room changes right there, and what follows is two hours of shop talk between people who actually know each other. Noah is on Dropping Names with Brent and Jonny, and he takes them inside the ER of the mid nineties, where the casts were shooting ninety page scripts for a forty eight minute show and a young Steadicam operator in pyjamas reinvented what a television scene could look like. He remembers Quentin Tarantino turning up to direct an episode and inventing an entire unscripted piece of business about a slippery can of Diet Coke, a paper towel and a puddle for Sherry Stringfield to slip in, all of it worked out with the enthusiasm of an eight year old. He talks about the live episode, the Fail Safe broadcast with Richard Dreyfuss and George Clooney, and the moment he watched Tom Cruise walk into a rehearsal for A Few Good Men in a white t shirt and cowboy boots and understood what a star is.

The conversation keeps circling back to how The Pitt actually gets made: no dolly track, no lights on the floor, no sides, no phones, lighting dialled from a board offstage, a lending library on set with a rule against bringing rubbish, background performers living a fifteen hour patient journey behind him, and one of them hiding Harry Potter novels inside a prosthetic pregnant belly. Noah explains why the show has no score, and how two music free episodes of another series became the proof of concept, and why the cast all read and worked to a pay tier so a fifteen episode drama could be shot in Los Angeles again. Brent tells the story of the glass thermometer that ended his career as a hospital orderly at sixteen, Jonny brings up the Maasai village negotiators who outbid Noah's per diem while shooting The Librarians in Kenya, and there is David Crosby in a Malibu restaurant telling Brent's twelve year old son that his father is a hero all over the world. It ends with Noah telling Jonathan Frakes exactly what fifteen years of working together taught him, and it is not about directing.

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Michelle Hurd sits down with Brent Spiner and Jonathan Frakes on Dropping Names and the first thing she gives them is her father. Hugh Hurd was 18 when he shipped out with a Black battalion in World War II, and he was one of the soldiers who walked through the gates of Dachau, where the prisoners who crawled out of hiding called the men who freed them black angels. Ten years later a hand reached out on a New York City bus to ask whether he thought a face like that could ever be forgotten. From there Michelle keeps going: her father in Shadows, the very first John Cassavetes film, Peter Falk pretending his glass eye had fallen out in Times Square, Godfrey Cambridge as her godfather, Maya Angelou raising money for Doctor Martin Luther King at cabarets her dad helped organize, and Hugh on Broadway in The Little Foxes with Elizabeth Taylor, who gave up her first class seat to go sit with the cast. She also explains why a Black father and a white mother sat their three daughters down in front of Star Trek every week so they could watch Nichelle Nichols take up space.

The rest is just as good. Michelle talks about playing Raffi Musiker on Star Trek Picard opposite Patrick Stewart and Michael Dorn as Worf, and Jonny confesses that he tried to make her look strung out for a scene and the makeup department told him she was simply too fine to ruin. She describes the survivor guilt of being the only member of the original Picard cast held over after the others were let go, and what Terry Matalas told her about why. There is a producer who once phoned to say their research proved a woman of color could only be taken seriously with straightened hair, which is exactly why Raffi has a mane of curls in the 25th century. There is Bruce Campbell climbing on top of the car from Ash vs Evil Dead to apologize to two hundred people, a story worth the whole episode on its own, and a Charles Bronson anecdote from Brent that lands as its perfect opposite. Plus her sister Adrian at Alvin Ailey, Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell on Anyone But You, her husband Garrett Dillahunt on Deadwood, and a genuinely clear explanation from the secretary treasurer of SAG AFTRA about how actors lost their health insurance.

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In this exclusive episode of Dropping Names, we sit down with the legendary Tim Matheson to explore his incredible journey through Hollywood. From his iconic role in 'Animal House' to his unforgettable appearances in 'West Wing', Tim shares behind-the-scenes stories and insights that reveal the heart and humor behind his storied career. Discover the secrets of working with comedy giants like John Belushi and Leslie Nielsen, and hear about his experiences with directors like Steven Spielberg and Clint Eastwood. This episode is packed with laughter, nostalgia, and name-dropping galore!

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In this episode of Dropping Names, we sit down with the incredibly talented Sam Witwer, known for his roles in Star Wars and Star Trek. Sam shares his unique approach to choosing roles, his experiences in the industry, and some behind-the-scenes stories that will blow your mind.

From his time on Battlestar Galactica to his iconic role as Darth Maul, Sam opens up about the highs and lows of his career. He also discusses the challenges of the acting world, including his time at Juilliard and the lessons learned from industry legends. Don't miss this insightful and entertaining conversation with one of Hollywood's most versatile actors.

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In this captivating episode of Dropping Names, we sit down with the legendary Michael Dorn, best known for his iconic role as Worf in Star Trek. Join us as we delve into his fascinating career, from his early days on 'Chips' to his memorable moments with Glenn Close and beyond. Michael shares hilarious behind-the-scenes stories, including a near-miss flight adventure and his experiences working with Hollywood greats. Plus, get a sneak peek into his upcoming film project. Don't miss this exclusive insight into the life of a true Hollywood icon.

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What happens when one of your biggest heroes completely crushes your dreams?

In this episode of Dropping Names, Bill Prady shares the unbelievable story of how a disappointing meeting with legendary science fiction author Isaac Asimov unexpectedly launched his writing career. Along the way, Brent Spiner and Jonathan Frakes swap incredible stories about Jim Henson, The Muppets, Big Bang Theory, Jerry Lewis, Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra, John Landis, Dream On, Star Trek, and some of Hollywood's greatest legends.

This conversation is packed with hilarious behind-the-scenes moments, career-changing advice, unforgettable celebrity encounters, and the kind of stories you only hear when three lifelong Hollywood insiders sit down together.

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In this captivating episode of Dropping Names, Tom Bergeron takes us on a journey through his illustrious career, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from Hollywood Squares, Dancing with the Stars, and more. From unexpected encounters with celebrities like Whoopi Goldberg and Bob Dylan to hilarious anecdotes about his time on set, Tom's tales are both entertaining and insightful. Join us for a deep dive into the world of television hosting, celebrity interactions, and the art of improvisation.

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In this captivating episode of Dropping Names, we sit down with the delightful Jane Leeves, known for her iconic role as Daphne on "Frasier." Jane opens up about her experiences working with legendary stars, including the incomparable Betty White. Discover behind-the-scenes stories from her time on "Hot in Cleveland" and other fascinating anecdotes from her illustrious career. From her unexpected encounter with Benny Hill to the heartwarming tale of how she met her husband, this episode is filled with laughter, nostalgia, and a touch of Hollywood magic. Tune in for an unforgettable conversation with one of television's most beloved actresses.

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In this captivating episode of "Dropping Names," Ron Perlman takes us on a wild ride through Hollywood's golden stories and his bold vision for the future of the film industry. From crashing Linda Hamilton's wedding for tacos to working with legendary figures like Marlon Brando, Ron shares candid anecdotes and insights that are as entertaining as they are enlightening. Dive deep into the heart of Hollywood with Ron as he discusses his new venture, Asylum Studios, aiming to revolutionize the way we create and consume films. Don't miss this blend of humor, nostalgia, and forward-thinking from one of the industry's most intriguing personalities.

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