Taboo's Comics & Kicks

Jeff Staple joins Taboo’s Comics and Kicks to break down how the legendary Nike SB Pigeon Dunk helped reignite modern sneaker culture. From his priceless sneaker vault to the wild story behind fake Pigeon Dunks hanging from telephone wires, Staple shares the moments, controversies, and philosophies that helped shape sneaker history.

In this episode, legendary designer Jeff Staple sits down with Taboo to talk about the sneaker that changed everything—the Nike SB Pigeon Dunk. Staple dives into how the Dunk helped spark a new era of sneaker culture, streetwear hype, and collecting, while also sharing stories from his personal archive of more than 3,500 pairs of sneakers, including some of the rarest grails ever made. The conversation also explores the infamous telephone wire Dunk stunt, where fake Pigeon Dunks hung above city streets sparked debate across the sneaker community about authenticity, storytelling, and what truly gives a shoe its value.

Beyond the Pigeon Dunk story, Jeff and Taboo discuss the larger history of signature sneakers and athlete influence, including the impact of icons like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Bo Jackson, along with the evolution of Nike basketball shoes that defined generations of sneakerheads. Staple also reflects on his journey from early days working at The Fader magazine to building a global design brand and collaborating with companies like Nike, New Balance, Puma, and The North Face. Along the way, he shares insights on sneaker collecting, design philosophy, mentorship, and the cultural forces that turned sneakers from sports equipment into global symbols of identity, creativity, and storytelling.

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Actor Tony Cox (Bad Santa, Friday) tells wild set stories — Billy Bob Thornton’s method acting, Bernie Mac and Chris Tucker going crazy on Friday, and a Thriller-era Michael Jackson prank from Captain EO.

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Marty York (Yeah-Yeah) explains how The Sandlot became an INSTANT cult classic — from the improvised dugout moments to the stories fans still quote decades later. He also reveals what happened behind the scenes with MGM merch rights, plus his unforgettable one-day moment with James Earl Jones.

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Dominic “The Shoe Surgeon” Ciambroni joins Taboo to talk about the rise of custom sneaker culture and how his work for Justin Bieber, will.i.am, and Odell Beckham Jr. helped redefine sneaker design.

From building one-of-one luxury footwear to turning sneaker art into a global brand, this episode explores the craft, business, and vision behind one of the most influential creators in modern sneaker culture.

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Columbus Short reflects on the making of Stomp the Yard, revisiting the intense rehearsal culture, injuries, and competitive dance environment that defined the film. He shares what it meant to work alongside Chris Brown and Meagan Good, and how the movie reshaped dance culture in the 2000s.

Beyond the film, Columbus talks about career evolution, industry survival, and a formative Kobe Bryant moment that changed how he approaches discipline and excellence. It’s a conversation about performance, pressure, and longevity in entertainment.

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Paul Rodriguez opens up about becoming Nike SB’s first signature skateboarder, building a 20-year legacy in skate culture, and honoring Kobe Bryant through his latest tribute shoe. He reflects on growing up around fame, carving his own identity, and surviving a career-threatening injury.

From X Games dominance to Olympic skateboarding and fatherhood, P-Rod shares how discipline, obsession, and resilience shaped his journey. This episode explores representation, legacy, and what it really takes to stay elite in a sport built on risk.

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Noel Gugliemi sits down with Taboo on Comics and Kicks to tell the real stories behind some of his biggest Hollywood moments — from playing Hector in The Fast and the Furious films, to on-set memories with Paul Walker and Vin Diesel, and how he saw the franchise evolve from street racing to global action epic.

He also reflects on his roles in Training Day with Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke, and the hilarious, unforgettable experience of working with Jim Carrey on Bruce Almighty. Along the way, Noel gives a candid look at typecasting, life as a character actor, and what these iconic films really did for his life and career.

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Walter Jones (the OG Black Ranger) breaks down how dance and martial arts became “Hip Hop Kido,” the exact style that helped him win Power Rangers. He opens up about the reality behind the fame—how massive the show got, why the pay didn’t match the impact, and what led him to walk away. And he shares the legacy side too: the fans, the life-changing moments, and what it meant to be a real symbol of representation on screen.

From his early dance inspirations to the audition that changed everything, Walter takes you inside the behind-the-scenes story of becoming Zack and helping shape the style that made the character iconic. He reflects on what it felt like realizing the world knew him—from action figures to nonstop schedules—and why moments like Make-A-Wish visits showed him the true impact of the role. Walter also talks about taking a stand when things weren’t fair, rebuilding his career after Power Rangers, meeting icons, and the actors he respects most today—while staying grounded in the responsibility that comes with being a childhood hero.

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Frances Fisher (Titanic, Unforgiven) joins Taboo’s Comics & Kicks for a powerful conversation about activism, art, and what it was really like filming Titanic with James Cameron, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Kate Winslet.

From the iconic corset scene to the intense production details (down to Cameron waiting for the ocean to look like glass), Frances shares hilarious behind-the-scenes stories, the phone call that helped her land the role of Ruth, and what it felt like watching the ship sink on the big screen. Plus, she and Taboo reflect on their bond through Standing Rock, indigenous advocacy, and the purpose that comes with using your platform for good.

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Emilio Rivera reflects on his journey through Sons of Anarchy, Mayans, and Con Air, opens up about unlearning violence, and shares the deeply personal story behind being chosen to play the father in Flamin’ Hot.

In this unfiltered conversation on Taboo’s Comics and Kicks, Emilio Rivera traces his path from the Frogtown projects of East Los Angeles to becoming a foundational presence in two of television’s most influential crime dramas. He reveals the real story behind joining the Sons of Anarchy pilot, being written out, and later returning after intense behind-the-scenes negotiations — a move that directly led into Mayans.

Emilio also revisits Con Air, discussing early-career lessons, working alongside Danny Trejo, and a near-fight that forced him to confront the survival instincts he carried into Hollywood. That moment became part of a larger journey toward sobriety, spiritual grounding, and choosing peace over conflict.

The episode culminates with Emilio sharing the emotional weight of portraying the father in Flamin’ Hot, a role shaped by his own upbringing and relationship with his dad — including the unforgettable moment he was personally chosen for the role from a Lakers suite by the man whose life inspired the film.

This is a conversation about legacy, second chances, and the hard work of becoming a different man than the one you were taught to be.

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