Brent Spiner and John de Lancie – September 2022 – CONversations with Craig

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:44 — 32.6MB)

Two fan favorites from the Star Trek universe—Brent Spiner (Data, Lore, Dr. Soong) and John de Lancie (Q), took the stage at FanX Salt Lake City to swap stories, tease each other, and reflect on careers that stretch far beyond the Final Frontier. What unfolded was a lively, heartfelt, and hilarious panel that explored everything from Breaking Bad and My Little Pony to truth-telling in acting and the evolving humanity of their iconic characters.

• Houston Roots and Astroworld Memories: Spiner began with stories about Houston, Texas, and their early days performing at Astroworld. What started as gunfighting shows quickly evolved into creative theater, with Spiner even co-writing a “medicine show” alongside fellow actor Trey Wilson. The pair reminisced about the unpredictability of live performance and the strange lessons learned under the summer sun.
• Breaking Bad and the Outsider Experience: De Lancie also shared his time on Breaking Bad, where he immediately sensed he was stepping into something special. “You can tell almost immediately whether the show is really clicking when you walk on the set. Everybody was playing at a high level.” As a guest actor, he described the balancing act of finding his place in a family that had already been working together for years.
• Star Trek used philosophy and morality as story engines: Spiner pointed to The Measure of a Man as a defining episode about personhood and slavery, while de Lancie emphasized Q’s dynamic with Picard as a constant battle of wills. Both acknowledged the audience’s role in shaping how they now see their characters and themselves.

“We could not do our work properly if we went up there to lie. We actually are looking for the truth.” – John de Lancie

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Mick Garris – October 2018 – CONversations with Craig

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 53:34 — 37.3MB)

Recorded live at Horrorthon 2018, this episode of CONversations with Craig features a captivating, insightful, and often humorous conversation with legendary horror filmmaker Mick Garris. From adapting Stephen King’s novels into iconic miniseries like The Stand and The Shining, to creating the influential Post Mortem podcast, Garris shares compelling behind-the-scenes stories from his illustrious career. Whether he’s revealing secrets about working with Anthony Perkins on Psycho IV or sharing his approach to storytelling, Garris delivers wisdom, wit, and an authentic passion for horror.

• King’s Collaborator: Garris dives deep into his frequent collaborations with Stephen King, discussing why their creative partnership works and the unique challenges of adapting King’s deeply personal and often complex stories.
• Perkins and Psycho: An intense and illuminating experience directing Anthony Perkins revealed critical insights into character-driven filmmaking, cementing Garris’s ability to navigate complicated creative dynamics.
• Horror with Heart: Garris reflects on the true power of horror—not just scares, but its capacity to explore profound human emotions, societal anxieties, and personal loss through storytelling.

“Horror has the ability to use social and political situations as metaphor without being preachy. It puts you in touch with fears that feel personal.” – Mick Garris

Want more exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes stories from the people who bring your favorite characters to life? Subscribe to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on your favorite podcasting platform for more behind-the-scenes stories and exclusive interviews.