Back to the James Tolkan and Claudia Wells Interviews

In some ways, it seems fitting to launch this podcast with a Back to the Future theme. I feel like this new show is going back to my podcast roots and the days when I booked celebrity guests on a regular basis. When my first podcast launched in 2011, my guest on the fifth episode was James Tolkan.

​I was very excited to have the opportunity to talk to him. After all, he was involved in some of my favorite childhood movies.

Funny enough, the first thing I remember about that interview was how he reacted to the first line of his introduction:

"It's possible that at some point in your life you've been called a slacker."

He chuckled.

He said he's had to say the word, "slacker" countless times since Back to the Future, and it didn't seem to bother him at all. I loved that, because I'm sure it can be somewhat exhausting.

One of my last in-person interviews at a convention was with Claudia Wells (Jennifer from Back to the Future). She was so fun!

I also loved one of her autograph offerings where she writes your name, "I love you" and Jennifer's phone number on the back of a clock tower flyer. You can even order a signed clock tower flyer on her website.

At first, I was a little concerned about the conversation because her part was so limited, and I didn't know how much we could discuss. 

However, I worked hard on those questions, and we had a great talk. I loved her story about Michael J. Fox and Huey Lewis. Spoiler alert: Fox was stoked about Lewis coming to the set. She didn't know who he was.

Burton Gilliam, my guest on the first episode of For the Nerd, is another example of someone who was only on screen for a short time, but provides an entertaining discussion about his experience. Like Tolkan, he has people come up to him and quote lines.

Fan: Where'd you learn to shoot like that?

Burton: That's my line!

I hope you enjoy our discussion on the July 14th episode of the show.

 - Scott