Taboo's Comics & Kicks

Kathleen Herles, the original voice of Dora the Explorer, reflects on getting the role at seven years old, growing up on Nickelodeon, and the impact Dora had on Latino representation, bilingual storytelling, and kids around the world.

In this conversation with Taboo, Kathleen opens up about her Queens upbringing, her Peruvian family, the work ethic that shaped her, and the emotional full-circle moment of returning to the Dora franchise as Dora’s mom. She also talks about identity, feeling “Latina enough,” meeting fans who grew up with Dora, and finally embracing the legacy of a character that helped a generation feel seen.

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Gridiron Gang was real football, real hits, and real second chances. Jade Scott Yorker and Joseph Raymond Lucero Chavez look back on Willie Weathers, The Rock, Xzibit, and the true-life energy behind the movie.

Nearly 20 years after Gridiron Gang, Jade and Joseph join Taboo to revisit the film’s legacy, from Joseph’s path from prison to Homeboy Industries to Hollywood, to filming inside Camp Kilpatrick, working around real football players, and seeing how the movie turned stories of struggle, discipline, and brotherhood into something fans still carry today.

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Toni Basil tells the untold story of “Mickey,” working with Tina Turner on “Proud Mary,” and witnessing the birth of locking through Don Campbell and The Lockers. From vaudeville roots to street dance history, she connects the dots behind generations of movement.

The legendary dancer, choreographer, performer, and historian joins Taboo for a conversation that spans her childhood backstage at the Chicago Theatre, the rise of The Lockers, the fight to make “Mickey” work, and the creative lessons she learned from icons like Tina Turner, David Bowie, Bette Midler, David Byrne, and David Lee Roth. This is a rare look at dance history from someone who didn’t just study it — she lived it.

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Kimberly J. Brown looks back at how Halloweentown became a cult classic and helped define the Disney Channel era so many grew up on. From its unexpected rise to becoming a Halloween tradition, she reflects on the legacy that still resonates today.

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Kid & Play, House Party, the ICONIC rap battle, dance culture, and the era that defined late ’80s and early ’90s hip hop—this is the inside story behind one of the most influential films in music and culture.

Kid shares how House Party came together in real time, from building out the rap battle scene to working alongside Robin Harris, Martin Lawrence, and Tisha Campbell. He reflects on the duo’s rise from early New York days with Salt-N-Pepa and Herbie Love Bug to their breakout success, plus stories from Class Act, major tours, and how Kid & Play’s music, style, and chemistry helped shape a defining moment in hip hop.

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Tony Plana reflects on working with comedy legends in Three Amigos, his breakthrough with Cheech Marin in Born in East L.A., and the career-defining decisions that shaped his path in Hollywood.

In this full conversation, Tony Plana shares stories from his time working with Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, and Martin Short, along with his transition into comedy alongside Cheech Marin. He discusses the choices, challenges, and creative moments that defined his career, from navigating typecasting to embracing improvisation and finding his place in some of the most memorable films of his era.

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Claudia Wells looks back on Back to the Future and how close it came to being a completely different film, from the original casting of Eric Stoltz as Marty McFly to Michael J. Fox stepping into the role and changing everything, along with her experience as Jennifer Parker and the chemistry that brought the story to life.

In this conversation, Claudia shares behind-the-scenes moments from the making of the film, including the casting changes, her unexpected path back into the role, and what it was like working alongside Michael J. Fox. She also reflects on her early acting career, near-misses with other iconic films, and the timing, decisions, and relationships that shaped her place in one of the most beloved franchises ever.

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A box office flop turned global cult classic, Big Trouble in Little China found its audience long after its release. James Pax, who played Lightning, shares how the film evolved into a fan favorite and why sequel talks still keep it alive today.

James Pax joins Taboo for a deep dive into Big Trouble in Little China, reflecting on the film’s unexpected journey, behind-the-scenes filmmaking, and the impact of practical effects in a pre-CGI era. He shares stories from set, working alongside Kurt Russell, and how the role of Lightning helped shape his career.

The conversation expands into martial arts film history, global cinema, and the influence of icons like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and Chuck Norris. Pax also opens up about his move into Hong Kong cinema, working with Michelle Yeoh, and how international audiences continue to drive the legacy of films like Big Trouble decades later.

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Rob Ryder joins Taboo to break down the real stories behind White Men Can’t Jump, Blue Chips, and The Warriors. From training Wesley Snipes to look like a real hooper to Shaq choosing Penny Hardaway during Blue Chips, this one is packed with legendary movie and basketball history.

In this episode of Taboo’s Comics and Kicks, Rob Ryder shares incredible behind-the-scenes stories from some of the most iconic basketball and cult films ever made. He gets into how White Men Can’t Jump made Wesley Snipes look like he’d been playing for years, what Woody Harrelson was really like on set, how Rosie Perez won the role, and why the movie still pops off the screen. Rob also tells the wild Blue Chips story of Shaq meeting Penny Hardaway during the production, working with Nick Nolte and William Friedkin, and how they filled an arena by turning the shoot into a real event. Then he dives into The Warriors, what New York City felt like in 1978, and how that film became a lasting cult classic. It’s a great conversation about basketball, movies, streetball culture, Hollywood, and what it really takes to make sports look real on screen.

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Sean Kanan—best known as Mike Barnes, the ruthless villain from The Karate Kid Part III—joins Taboo to tell the unbelievable story of nearly dying while filming the movie. He revisits the iconic “Your karate’s a joke” line, the legacy of the franchise, and his career beyond Karate Kid.

Sean Kanan joins Taboo on Taboo’s Comics and Kicks to revisit his unforgettable role as Mike Barnes, the villain from The Karate Kid Part III who quickly became known to fans as “Karate’s Bad Boy.” Sean shares the intense behind-the-scenes story of filming the movie, including the moment he nearly lost his life after suffering internal bleeding from the demanding stunt work required for the role.

The conversation also looks back at one of the most memorable lines in the Karate Kid franchise—“Your karate’s a joke”—and the lasting legacy of the film and its characters. Sean reflects on working alongside Ralph Macchio and the legendary Pat Morita, and why the story of Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi continues to resonate with audiences decades later.

Beyond Karate Kid, Sean talks about his long career in television, including roles on General Hospital and The Bold and the Beautiful, and how he eventually created the Emmy-winning digital series Studio City. From martial arts cinema to daytime television and independent storytelling, Sean’s journey offers a fascinating look at longevity in Hollywood and the lasting impact of one of the Karate Kid universe’s most memorable villains.

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