Pop Culture Tonight with Patrick Phillips

Actress Nichelle Nichols is best known for her groundbreaking portrayal of Lieutenant Uhura on the original Star Trek television series.

After an early career as a vocalist and dancer for live jazz orchestras, she began to act in film and television. She is best known for playing Lieutenant Uhura on the classic science-fiction television series Star Trek from 1966 to ’69. In addition to acting, she has recorded albums, written a memoir and science-fiction novels, and worked to recruit women and minorities to NASA.

Actor Walter Koenig rose to fame in the 1960s as Mr. Chekov on the television series Star Trek. He has reprised his role in several film adaptations of the show, including Star Trek: The Motion Picture.

Walter Koenig grew up in New York City. He started acting in high school. He first attended Grinnell College before transferring to University of California Los Angeles. After college, Koenig studied acting at New York’s Neighborhood Playhouse.

He landed the part of Pavel Chekov on Star Trek in 1966. Over the years, Koenig has reprised his most famous role in several films, including Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991). From 1994 to 1998, he played Alfred Bester on Babylon 5. Koenig has also written several books, including 1988’s Warped Factors. He developed the comic book series Things To Come, which debuted in 2011.

Patrick talks with Simon Franglen, the talented Grammy-winning and Golden Globe-nominated composer who most recently collaborated with the iconic James Horner on Antoine Fuqua’s upcoming film “The Magnificent Seven” and Zack Eastman, Steve Harris, and Derek Berry Co-Owners of “Saved By The Max”.

Simon Franglen is a Grammy-winning and Golden Globe-nominated composer and producer. His credits include four of the top grossing films of all time and six of the top selling albums (Wikipedia). He is known for handling complex, demanding scoring projects, in particular the marriage of orchestra and electronica in innovative ways. He received a Grammy Award for Record of the Year for his production of the smash hit single “My Heart Will Go On” from James Cameron’s ‘Titanic’, and received Golden Globe, Grammy Award and World Soundtrack Award nominations for work on Cameron’s ‘Avatar’.

Learn more about Simon at simonfranglen.com

Zack Eastman, Steve Harris, and Derek Berry are the masterminds and co-owners of “Saved By The Max”, a Chicago restaurant that was inspired by the 90’s hit TV show, “Saved by the Bell”!

“Saved By The Max” is custom detailed to replicate the gangs favorite hangout, The Max… Guests are encouraged to being their cameras & hop in one of their many photobooths! Unlike the original set, this recreation comes with a full kitchen, full bar, weekly events, and even meet and greets with select cast members!

More info at savedbythemax.com 

Patrick welcomes The Mistress of The Dark… ELVIRA!

The Queen of Halloween is set to make her triumphant return to the small screen later this month. The’80s tv icon will be back for 13 NIGHTS OF ELVIRA which will stream exclusively on Hulu.

Cult Classic ‘Re–Animator‘ (1985) Director, Stuart Gordon talks about directing the Musical & returning to the material!

Crescenzo Giacomo Notarile was raised in Brooklyn, New York from first generation Italian descent. Born of artistic lineage, Crescenzo’s parents, Maria – an interior designer and sculptress, along with her husband Vincenzo – an art director, graphic designer and painter, encouraged his creative inclination throughout his life. Graduating from high school in Huntington Long Island, with a graduating class of over 2000, Crescenzo received a high honors Cum Laude scholarship to New York University for outstanding photographic achievement, and also a high honors degree from the Nikon School of Photography for Photojournalism. Upon completing an extensive photo essay on the Homeless for a magazine, Crescenzo decided to create a 16mm black & white film of the same subject for a PSA.

Crescenzo Notarile has become an Emmy award-winning cinematographer. For the past 27 years, Crescenzo has been living and working bi-coastally in Soho New York and Los Angeles California, which continuously feeds his discriminating creative eye. It has also afforded him to qualify as a world traveler. His acutely sensitive and creative eye is constantly observing the world that surrounds him, which ‘simply waits to be seen for the first time’. He carries his camera with him always, and thus has photographed the world, dozens of times over. The result is Crescenzo’s fine art photography, which represents a pure essence of his soul, his character, and his experience as a person and as an artist in this world.

Learn More!

Ryan Stock became fascinated with magic at an early age and quickly developed his skills as a magician. He soon graduated from simple tricks to performing amazing feats like fire-eating and fire-breathing. Ryan has the ability to make painful looking and unbelievable stunts palatable and entertaining for all audiences. He has an extraordinary control over his body, allowing him to swallow swords, insert objects into and through his nasal cavities, demonstrate unusually high pain tolerance and much more. Ryan performs “stupid human tricks” and “super human stunts” with a comedic flare that cannot be duplicated. He is regarded as having one of the largest repertoires of unusual skills in the world, and is undoubtedly at the top of his game.

You’ve probably already seen Ryan Stock’s unique brand of entertainment, whether you know it or not. While he’s featured in several viral internet videos that have been linked, liked and viewed millions of times, he has also appeared on television and in print around the world for over 15 years. He was “Rupert” in The Jim Rose Twisted Tour (Travel Channel 2003) where he demonstrated his skills in close up magic, juggling and dangerous stunts such as balancing lawnmowers on his face and even escaping from chains underwater.

Ryan Stock was also the star of his own award winning TV series for 3 seasons (Guinea Pig, Discovery Channel 2007-2009). Ryan performed increasingly dangerous stunts and experiments while collecting data in the name of science, he was seen testing police tazers, pepper-spray, and rubber bullets, and even getting bit and stung by insects, scorpions and snakes. Ryan has been dubbed the “Comedy Daredevil” for his off the wall and unforgettable stunts that incorporate strange objects like toasters, chainsaws, hooks, and hangers. He has performed in over 30 countries, been on several major networks and even performed on Ellen and The Tonight Show With Jay Leno. His stunts aren’t just impressive, they’re record setting, with multiple entries in the Guinness Book of World Records and accolades from Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

Ryan Stock performs live with his ever present partner AmberLynn, together they present a stage show that is guaranteed to amaze and amuse.

Marina Sirtis gained worldwide acclaim as “Deanna Troi” in the successful “Star Trek: The Next Generation” TV series and four Paramount feature films.

Marina’s dramatic range has also earned her opportunities on stage, television, and feature films far beyond the “Star Trek” franchise. Films include the Oscar®-winning Best Picture “Crash” for which she received a SAG Award® (Ensemble). On television, Marina starred as Queen Wealhteow in Syfy Channel’s movie “Grendel” as well as recurred as Orli Elbaz on “NCIS.” Additional TV credits include: “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Without a Trace,” “Girlfriends,” and “The Closer.”

Born in London, Marina secretly applied to the prestigious Guild Hall School of Music and Drama because her parents initially didn’t want her to become an actress. After graduating, Marina earned her acting chops on British TV before moving to Los Angeles.

Marina stars as ‘Penelope’ in the Hallmark Original Movie “My Summer Prince”

Sam Hamm is an American screenwriter and producer. Hamm is perhaps best known for writing the screenplay for Tim Burton’s Batman and Batman Returns. As a result of his work, he was invited to write for Detective Comics.

NEW THURSDAY 07/28/16! Actress Caroline Williams (Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2) joins Patrick to discuss her role in Sharknado: The 4th Awakens.

Sharknado: The 4th Awakens, the latest exciting project for Caroline Williams, is set to premiere 31 July 2016 on SyFy. In this highly anticipated 4th installation of the Sharknado franchise, Caroline performs a pivotal cameo of her most famous character from “Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2”with a compelling scene that drives the story arc forward and leaves the audience breathless. 

Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, which launched Caroline’s career, is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this August and also put A-list director Tobe Hooper on the map. Caroline Williams hasn’t stopped working since!

Caroline’s diverse acting background includes the Texas based movie Alamo Bay, The Legend of Billie Jean and Getting Even. After moving to Hollywood, Caroline starred in Ron Howard’s iconic movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas. On top of that, Caroline has also made guest appearances in famous TV shows such as Grey’s Anatomy and The Mentalist.

Her recent projects include last year’s ComicCon hit, Tales of Halloween (Epic Pictures, 2015) and the up-coming Blood Feast (2016). Her avid and enthusiastic participation at conventions and personal appearances ensure that this charismatic actress continues to inspire and attract fans from around the world.

Piotr Michael is an actor and comedian based in Los Angeles.

He is best known as an impressionist and gained worldwide attention from Youtube, showcasing his chameleon-like ability to mimic and create original characters. Piotr’s most recent work was a supporting role in the comedy series, “Impress Me” on POP, where he played a fictionalized version of himself.

On SIRIUS XM Radio, he can currently be heard as the voice of Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders, Michael Caine, Arnold Schwarzenegger and many other celebrities and characters on the infamous Howard Stern Show. Also recently, Piotr channelled Hell’s demons to voice Demonic texts in DOOM (2016), and played a good bad guy character, “Major Threat” on Disney XD’s “Wonder Over Yonder.” This month (July 2016), Piotr joins the cast of MADtv which was recently revived by the CW as a prime-time series.

Piotr’s talents have been utilized by many studios and entertainment groups including Walt Disney Studios, Comedy Central, TBS, FOX, Cartoon Network, BBC Radio 1, Blizzard Entertainment, THQ, Square Enix, Defy Media, Machinima, Mondo Media and Maker Studios. Behind the scenes of Hollywood movie making, Piotr is often called upon to voice-match actors and celebrities for marketing, trailers and dubbing.

Jason Matthew Smith stars in the latest installation of the Star Trek extravaganza: Star Trek Beyond once again reprising his role as Lt. Hendroff also known as “Cupcake,” Smith has also starred in the first two movies of the franchise, Star Trek and Star Trek into Darkness. 

Over the past several years, Jason has made a name for himself guest starring and starring in roles for highly acclaimed films and television series. One of his most notable breakout performances was in the AFI Awarding winning series Playmakers for ESPN. 

Survival instructor and wilderness guide Hazen Audel chats with Patrick about his recent adventures, a daring escape and shares tips on the best places to go primitive camping this Summer in the United States!

Hazen is the host of “Primal Survivor” on National Geographic, and travels to some of the world’s most remote tribal communities to learn how they have survived for thousands of years in the planet’s toughest environments. Hazen joins tribes in the rainforests of Ecuador, the Kalahari Desert of Namibia, a remote island in the Pacific Ocean, the mountains of western Mongolia, the frozen Arctic of Canada, and in equatorial Kenya to learn firsthand the skills and traditions of these masters of survival.

This week, Patrick remembers ‘Adventures of Superman’ actress Noel Neill (Lois Lane), who passed away Sunday at 95. The episode features a candid, previously un-aired interview that touches on Noel’s career as a model, Lois Lane, the controversial death of George Reeves, her dislike of actress Phyllis Coates, “Hollywoodland” and more!

This week, Patrick catches up with the cast of “Ugly Betty” on the red carpet of their 10th year anniversary celebration, to reflect on the groundbreaking series and their iconic characters. Actor / Composer Jeff Rosick chats about “Friday Night Lights” and his recent co-starring roles in Bones & NBC’s Aquarius.. Author Jared Hoffman discusses his new coloring book for stoners!