Taboo's Comics & Kicks

Justin Whalin joins Taboo for a Halloween deep dive into Child’s Play 3 and his experience taking over the role of Andy Barclay. He reveals how multiple puppeteers brought Chucky to life, how Andy’s trauma shaped his performance, what went into Chucky’s unforgettable death scene, and why the killer doll’s humor helped transform him into a genuine horror icon.

It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the making and lasting legacy of one of the most memorable chapters in the Child’s Play franchise.

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Get Tisha Campbell’s new book, The A Word: A Mother’s Journey Through Autism and Love: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0063446480?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback

Tisha Campbell joins Taboo to revisit becoming Gina on Martin, the real friendship behind Gina and Pam, and the off-camera jokes that became part of the show. She also shares stories about Eddie Murphy and Boomerang, getting fired from Blossom, learning comedy, working with Damon Wayans and the deeply personal journey behind The A Word.

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Thomas Ian Nicholas joins Taboo to revisit Rookie of the Year, from auditioning twice and beating out thousands of young actors to filming at Wrigley Field without ever having played baseball. He shares stories about Daniel Stern, Gary Busey, Henry’s legendary fastball, deleted scenes, hidden bloopers, and why the 1993 classic still resonates more than 30 years later.

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In Part 2 of her conversation with Taboo, Tara Reid looks back at playing Bunny Lebowski in The Big Lebowski and explains why she credits the Coen Brothers’ cult classic—not American Pie—with launching her Hollywood career. She remembers arriving at the final callback alongside Charlize Theron and Liv Tyler, landing the role she never expected to win, and working on one of the most relaxed sets of her life with Jeff Bridges and an all-star cast.

Tara also shares her memories of Philip Seymour Hoffman, Courtney Love crashing a wrap party, the unexpected phenomenon of Sharknado, nearly landing a role in Almost Famous, and what Hollywood fame felt like before TMZ and social media changed everything.

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Tara Reid joins Taboo to revisit American Pie and reveal the stories behind its iconic cast, her friendship with Natasha Lyonne and filming the movie’s famously awkward orgasm scene. She also discusses American Reunion, why Josie and the Pussycats was ahead of its time and her new chapter as a producer.

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Lou Diamond Phillips joins Taboo to go deep on Stand and Deliver, from how a Miami Vice scene with Eddie Olmos led to the role, to rehearsals that bonded a largely first-time cast and built the film’s documentary-like authenticity.

Lou explains immersing in East LA culture, learning Spanish for Angel Guzman, and how key moments and lines (“What’s cálculos?” “This one’s broken,” “On the first day of Ch—”) came from improv, while Jaime Escalante was on set daily as Eddie studied his mannerisms. He also shares Andy Garcia returning to read off-camera for Lou, reflects on turning down what became Gus Van Sant’s Drugstore Cowboy, and why La Bamba and Stand and Deliver still resonate for their cultural impact. The episode closes with Lou’s new project Gangland, a reservation-set crime thriller spotlighting major roles for emerging Indigenous actors.

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Lou Diamond Phillips takes Taboo inside La Bamba—from the audition where he thought John Stamos already had the role to being welcomed by Ritchie Valens’ real family. He shares the moment Ritchie’s mother told him, “You gave me my son back,” plus untold stories about Esai Morales, Luis Valdez and the film’s lasting legacy.

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Todd Bridges revisits becoming Willis Jackson on Diff'rent Strokes, helping cast Dana Plato, and building television history alongside Gary Coleman and Conrad Bain. He shares his perspective on Coleman’s final years, remembers dating Janet Jackson and hearing Michael Jackson sing “Thriller” before its release, and reveals his idea for a Diff'rent Strokes continuation.

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Richard Karn was only supposed to fill in on the Home Improvement pilot—then his chemistry with Tim Allen made Al Borland an accidental icon. He joins Taboo to revisit classic Tool Time moments, the origin of “I don’t think so, Tim,” and the rare times the sitcom went off-script. Karn also reflects on Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Al’s iconic look, and the heart that keeps Home Improvement resonating decades later.

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Alisa Reyes takes us inside Nickelodeon’s golden era and reveals how “All That” changed the network forever. She shares stories about creating Kiki the Island Girl, growing up with Kenan and Kel, working with Chris Farley, meeting Aaliyah and filming with TLC. Plus, Alisa reflects on navigating child stardom and becoming the voice of LaCienega Boulevard on Disney’s “The Proud Family.”

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