Sci-fi Talk

In this episode, Tony Zooms with acclaimed actor Russell Hornsby for a wide-ranging conversation about craft, legacy, and the joy of storytelling. Hornsby opens up about the roles that have defined his career and the lessons he’s carried with him along the way. ✨ Playing Don King Russell shares how embodying the legendary boxing promoter was about tapping into showmanship and theatricality. He reveals that the role allowed him to explore aspects of his personality that Hollywood hasn’t often seen, but that his friends and family know well. It was a chance to bring hidden layers of himself to the screen.

In this episode, we go behind the scenes with two titans of the make-up world: Bruce Grayson and Jeff McKinnon. From red carpets to starships, their work has shaped how we see Hollywood’s biggest icons. Bruce Grayson, his lifelong passion that led Bruce to become the Make-Up Department Head for The Oscars, The Emmys, The Golden Globes, and The Grammys. I caught up with him while he’s in the thick of prepping Mariah Carey’s Holiday Special, and he reflects on the evolution of glamour, precision, and storytelling through make-up. Jeff McKinnon, Emmy Award-winning artist and head of the Make-Up Department for Star Trek: Picard, joins us from the set to talk prosthetics, sci-fi aesthetics, and the emotional power of transformation. With credits that include Halloween H20 and Bicentennial Man, Jeff brings a deep understanding of genre, character, and craft. Together, Bruce and Jeff offer insights into the artistry, legacy, and innovation that define their careers—and the unforgettable faces they help bring to life

In this  episode, Tony Tellado Zooms with Alan Tudyk, who voices Cademus Pryde in WondLa. They explore the layered psychology of his character, including a pivotal “chess match” moment that defines the stakes of the series. The conversation also touches on the resonant theme “There is No Them, Just Us”—a message that echoes across Alan’s work. Beyond WondLa, Alan shares insights this year's projects: Creature Commandos, Superman, and Andor, reflecting on his busy schedule. he teases a second season that he is will be working on too. Bonus Content

Step onto the Emerald Carpet at Lincoln Center with Byte as we celebrate the New York City premiere of Wicked For Good. This episode brings you  interviews courtesy of Universal Pictures, featuring the cast and creative minds who brought Oz to life in dazzling new ways. Featured Interviews

From the dazzling Emerald Carpet at Lincoln Center, Byte takes you inside the New York City premiere of Wicked For Good. This special episode celebrates the artistry behind Universal Pictures’ reimagining of the beloved story, with exclusive conversations from the creative teams who brought Oz to life. Featured Interviews (courtesy of Universal Pictures)

Step through the gate with us as we revisit Stargate Origins, the ambitious web mini-series that expanded the mythology of one of science fiction’s most enduring franchises. In this episode, we sit down with director Mercedes Bryce Morgan to explore the making of the 10-part digital series, later cut into the feature-length film Stargate Origins: Catherine. Morgan shares her vision for telling the untold story of Catherine Langford, the young woman whose life was forever changed when she and her father, Paul Langford (played by Star Trek’s Connor Trineer), first uncovered the Stargate in 1939. ✨ What you’ll hear in this conversation: How Mercedes Bryce Morgan approached directing a new chapter in the Stargate saga The challenges and opportunities of crafting a web-first mini-series for a passionate fanbase Insights into Catherine Langford’s journey and why her perspective matters in the larger Stargate mythology Behind-the-scenes stories from production and working with a cast that bridges sci-fi lega

In this episode, I chatted with filmmaker Kyra Elise Gardner—writer, producer, editor, and director of Living With Chucky. Gardner’s documentary is more than a chronicle of horror’s most infamous doll; it’s a deeply personal exploration of the creative family behind Chucky and the sacrifices that brought him to life. Through intimate interviews and behind-the-scenes stories, Gardner weaves together the legacy of the Child’s Play franchise with her own upbringing in the shadow of the killer doll. The result is a film that balances blood-soaked fun with heartfelt reflection on art, family, and fandom.

When Don Mancini brought his iconic killer doll to television, horror fans braced themselves for a new chapter in the Child’s Play legacy. Premiering on SyFy in 2021, Chucky transformed the long-running film franchise into a serialized story that ran for three seasons through 2024. With Brad Dourif once again supplying the chilling voice of Chucky and his daughter Fiona Dourif joining the cast, the series blended nostalgia with fresh blood—literally and figuratively. In this episode of Rewind, we revisit Season One, exploring how Mancini adapted his cinematic universe for TV, weaving in themes of identity, trauma, and transformation while keeping the dark humor and slasher thrills intact. We’ll look at how the show expanded the mythology, introduced new teen protagonists, and balanced legacy characters with fresh faces.

What happens when the King of Wakanda must confront not only an army of undead but also the ghosts of his own past? In Black Panther: Sins of the Father, T’Challa strives to embody excellence—as a fair and worthy king, a global citizen, and an Avenger. But when Wakanda faces its most chilling threat yet, The Black Panther turns to his long-lost father in a battle against forces that test his leadership, his legacy, and his humanity. In this episode, we sit down with acclaimed author Tananarive Due to explore how she brought this gripping Marvel story to life. A former journalist turned award-winning novelist, Due is celebrated for her African Immortals and Tennyson Hardwick series, and has been honored with the American Book Award, Carl Brandon Award, Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award, and multiple Bram Stoker Awards. Her work blends horror, history, and Afrofuturism to illuminate the human condition through genre storytelling. You’ll also hear excerpts from the audio adaptation, performed by The Good Place’s

A cantankerous alien, a found family, and a war that changes everything. In this episode, I zoomed with actor and voice legend Gary Anthony Williams, who brings the complex and beloved character Rovender to life in Apple TV+’s animated sci-fi series WondLa. From his gruff wisdom to his unexpected tenderness, Rovender is more than just Eva’s alien companion—he’s a symbol of survival, transformation, and reluctant hope.

The Back To The Future star looks back at playing different versions of McFlys. 

In this special episode, we journey back to the beginning of Amazon Prime Video’s The Wheel of Time, revisiting the emotional stakes, character awakenings, and epic world-building that launched the series. Featuring interviews with Zoë Robins, Madeleine Madden, Josha Stradowski, and Marcus Rutherford, we explore how Season One set the tone for a saga of destiny, power, and transformation.

Now a monthly edition with news on sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and comics this November has the following Reviews From The Running Man Frankenstein Crafting A Tale Eternal Exhibit Pluribus with star and showrunner Colin Farrell on Penguin Season Two Welcome To Derry had challenges after strikes Changes To Fallout Season Two New Documentary on Exorcist: The Hertic This month's list : Best Time Travel TV Shows And More..... Start Your Free One Year Trial On Sci-Fi Talk Plus Today - A Black Friday Special  

In this episode of Game Changers, a compilation of interviews with the legendary Kevin Conroy, the definitive voice of Batman for generations of fans. From his formative years at Juilliard—where he shared classrooms and unforgettable memories with Robin Williams—to his groundbreaking career in animation and video games, Conroy reflects on the path that led him to embody Gotham’s greatest hero. Listeners will hear how his classical training shaped his craft, how friendships forged in those early days influenced his artistry, and how he found his way into the role that would define his career. With warmth, humor, and honesty, Conroy shares the story of becoming the voice behind the mask, and why Batman continues to resonate so deeply with audiences worldwide.

This week on Trek Tuesday, Tony welcomed Armin Shimerman, the iconic actor behind Quark from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. In a deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation, Armin reflects on his wife’s courageous and successful battle against pancreatic cancer. The episode also dives into Armin’s earliest days in the Star Trek universe, from his first appearance as a Ferengi in The Next Generation to the evolution of Quark on Deep Space Nine. With humor and insight. Check Out My Black Friday Special For Plus Pan Can

In this exclusive Plus preview, Tony dives into the minds of today’s leading paranormal investigators to uncover what drives them to explore the unknown. Featuring insights from Ghost Adventures’ Zak Bagans, Portals to Hell’s Katrina Weidman and Jack Osbourne, and The Ghosts of Devil’s Perch’s Dave Schrader and psychic medium Cindy Kaza, this episode explores the methods, motivations, and mysteries behind their work. From haunted prisons to cursed mining towns, these investigators share how they choose their cases, what tools they trust, and the personal experiences that fuel their search for answers. Whether guided by intuition, technology, or spiritual connection, each voice reveals a different path into the paranormal.

In this episode of Byte, Tony takes you behind the curtain of Wicked: One Wonderful Night, the electrifying live special that celebrates the world of Oz like never before. Featuring interviews with Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Jeff Goldblum, and director Jon M. Chu, this episode explores how the cast and crew brought magic to the stage—while Jon was still deep in post-production on the Wicked film. From live vocals and choreography to elaborate staging and character moments, the special is a love letter to musical theater, fandom, and the enduring spell of Wicked. 

In this episode of Byte On, Tony goes deep into the making of Predator: Badlands with stars Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi and Elle Fanning, alongside director Dan Trachtenberg. What begins as a survival story quickly evolves into a buddy movie with teeth—literally. The trio unpack how character chemistry, predator mythology, and linguistic world-building came together to create a fresh take on the iconic franchise. With audio supplied by 20th Century Fox, listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at how the team reimagined the predator’s language, built emotional stakes into the action, and honored the legacy of the hunt while pushing it into new terrain.

Tony chats with five-time Grammy-nominated composer David Arkenstone to explore the sonic landscapes of Music Inspired by Middle Earth. From the rolling hills of the Shire to the shadowed depths of Mordor, Arkenstone shares how he wove Celtic, orchestral, and ambient textures into a tapestry that evokes Tolkien’s world without directly quoting it. With musical samples threaded throughout the conversation, listeners are invited to experience the emotional resonance and mythic scale of Arkenstone’s compositions. The blend of styles—Celtic flutes, tribal percussion, sweeping strings—that create a timeless fantasy soundscape Reflections on the emotional core of Tolkien’s world: longing, courage, and transformation Behind-the-scenes insights into the recording process and instrumentation choices Check out my Black Friday Special For Plus

In this episode, I chatted with Mac Whiting, Supervising Animation Director at Warner Bros. Animation, for a deep dive into the artistry and precision behind rotoscoping, character performance, and the magic of collaboration. From his work on The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special to his broader philosophy on animation, Mac shares insights that blend technical mastery with creative intuition. Rotoscoping Realism Mac talks the rotoscoping process used to animate live-action performances, especially in the Guardians Holiday Special. Working with James Gunn Mac shares what it’s like collaborating with director James Gunn, describing him as “a storyteller who understands animation’s emotional potential.” Check Out my Black Friday Special