This week, Steve Wise and Thomas Carter Rochester join Derek for a special roundtable discussion on “The Mandalorian” television series. They discuss their initial expectations for the series when it was announced, how it captured the same feel of the original trilogy, and the inspirations the creators used for both seasons of the show. They also break down some of the pivotal moments of season two, the shocking reveal in the season finale, and where the show ranks among other “Star Wars” stories.

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The Empire Strikes Back is widely considered to be not just the best film in the Star Wars franchise, but one of the best films ever made. Jason Robbins and Wally Phelps return to chat with Derek about their first memories of the film, some of its greatest moments, and why this film has some of John Williams’ best music. They also talk about how the changes in the Special Editions helped to enhance the film, how it set the standard for storytelling, and the overall legacy of The Empire Strikes Back.

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Actor/writer/producer Lanett Tachel joins the show to chat with Derek about the positive and negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, what made her want to become an actor, their mutual love of storytelling, and how she got into the industry. She also talks about what goes into a producer’s job, the satisfaction of helping employ other filmmakers, the differences between working film and television projects, her time on set of “Middleton Christmas”, and advice for aspiring filmmakers.

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Since its premiere in 2005, The Office has become one of the most popular shows in recent memory. Wally Phelps and Josh Schenewerk join the show to chat with Derek about the faults of the first season, what got them hooked onto the show, and some of their favorite cold opens. They also talk about the void left by Steve Carell in the later seasons, some of the show’s underrated characters, the most cringeworthy Michael Scott moments, and the overall legacy of The Office.

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Actor/stunt coordinator Christopher Dukes chats with Derek about how the pandemic has affected his career, what made him want to become an actor, and how working live performances at Six Flags led to him becoming a stunt coordinator. He also talks about the process of coordinating stunts for a film, what it was like on set for his latest film “Middleton Christmas”, and advice for aspiring actors.

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Whether it’s binge watching, family traditions, or casual viewings, Christmas films have had special meaning to audiences for generations. Derek hosts a special live podcast to discuss non-traditional Christmas films, lists his top 5 Christmas movies, and reads the lists submitted by the listeners.

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One of Derek’s personal favorite movies is the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film. In addition to it being a personal favorite, it’s also the first movie he saw in theaters! Jason Robbins and Wally Phelps (Monsters Anonymous) return to the show to chat with Derek about their first memories of watching the film, the layers of detail that went into its production, why the film still holds up today, some of their favorite moments, and what they consider to be the film’s legacy.

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Producer/director/writer Suzanne DeLaurentiis joins the show to chat with Derek about developing a program that trains wounded veterans to work successfully in the film/television industry, and what made her want to pursue a career in film. She also talks about the changes in the industry since the beginning of her career, the role of a producer, the idea behind one of her latest films “Middleton Christmas”, and advice for women who want to work in the film industry.

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Director/Producer Tara Johnson-Medinger joins the show to chat with Derek about how filmmaking has benefitted from the rise of streaming platforms, working in the television broadcast industry and how it helped prepare her for a career in film. She also talks about the role of a producer in the film industry, why the business side of film is often overlooked, making her directorial debut with “My Summer as a Goth”, and advice for aspiring filmmakers.

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Revolutionary. Groundbreaking. Groovy. These are just a few words that are commonly used when describing the Evil Dead franchise. Filmmakers Steve Wise and Jason Robbins return to the podcast to chat with Derek about their first memories of the series, why it's innovative, and its brilliant balance of horror and comedy. They also talk about how “Evil Dead: The Musical” introduced Derek to the series, their thoughts on the 2013 remake, some of their favorite moments, and the legacy of the franchise.

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