​One of the best aspects of the newboot of Night Court on NBC, is that television legends, pop up often on the show. In part through the primary cast itself, but also through the show’s guest stars. In fact, Julia Duffy, who has graced some incredible television franchises in her illustrious career, dropped by once more to play Susan and we had the chance to sit down with Julia to discuss her work on last night’s episode.
John Betancourt: I would love to start by getting to know when you found out that there was going to be another opportunity to play, Susan.
 
Julia Duffy: Oh, when I found that out, I don't remember. It's been a busy year. I was kind of expecting it. I guess you already would see her again. I didn't know it was because they had Abby and Jake break up. I found that out on the day because, you know, it hadn't started airing at that point. They were just shooting, and I had been not there and then they had me come back, and I realized that, my having a party and inviting her and him, and Jake brings his girlfriend, was the whole setup. I thought it was just a great way to do it. I don't remember when I found that out. I mean, I don't remember the time frame exactly, but I was surprised that Ryan (Hansen) hadn't been there, that I didn't know that they'd broken up, because the show hadn't aired yet.
 
John Betancourt: Now the last time we talked, you spoke about a lot of joy that this role has brought you and that you had a great time working on the show every time that you're on set. So, what did it mean to you personally to be able to come back again and play Susan once more?
 
Julia Duffy: Well, I knew I got to do really broad comedy, because they do that. There you get a little bit of those vaudeville sketches and the things they do. I'd love to have a scene in the crazy courtroom, but I don't know if that will ever happen. Though, Susan could get called in for things… she can get, she's pretty wild. But anyway, I just love occasionally being able to do broader comedy like that. The characters are so strong and so different from each other. It's really fun.
 
John Betancourt: Speaking of that, you really get to just let loose in this tale and lean into what you love. What did it mean to you to be able to just lean into the comedy?
 
Julia Duffy: Well, it means, let's see… that I'm not too old for those parts anymore. I can play these over-the-top women, which is nice, because I don't know, there's just something so fun about somebody who doesn't have any idea that she's being too much. She just doesn't get it. She just lives her life. I think we'd all kind of like to be like that. So, it's very freeing.
 
John Betancourt: Obviously, comedy is something that I mean, it's, it's a word you're synonymous with. It is what you do, where you thrive. And I'm just curious, what is it about comedy that continues to call to you as an actor?
 
Julia Duffy: Well, it's just as much emotional underpinning. At least it is for me most of the time. I usually play quite emotional characters, and to add in the comedy and the comic timing with it, I dunno, it sort of feels like you get to do it all.
 
John Betancourt: Now, your talents go to every corner of acting as it is. Something that I really enjoyed about this episode was that even though Susan, you know, plays this little trick and does all these things, there's a real beautiful, kind of endearing moment that she shares in that with Jake, because she's trying to really get him back with Abby, and really kind of connect two people that have that spark. And I'm just curious, as an actor, how you found that authenticity, because that really felt like a beautiful motherly moment that I think a lot of us have endured in some capacity.
 
Julia Duffy: Well, I think if you do any kind of a scene like that with Ryan, you're going to easily have that feeling, because he's an extremely, I don't know how you could say… he's an extremely available person, very open hearted, just very, very sweet, really, one of the sweetest people I've ever worked with. He’s just kind of a ray of sunshine all the time, and just so kind and interested in everybody. So, that was just so easy to do that with him, to be that way with him, to be his mother, was so easy. Because, of course, you can't help but love him.
 
John Betancourt: Well, that’s so sweet and so lovely, and that does make sense when it comes to Ryan. I’ve spoken with him a few times now, and he is indeed always so gracious. And another great piece about you playing this role, is you mentioned last time, that there was a little bit of some improv in the hospital scene. And I'm curious here, what kind of freedom did you get to kind of really just lean into Susan a bit more, and her wild nature.
 
Julia Duffy: Well, it was just so fun to be playing somebody for Abby to react to that's, you know, more unrestrained than the people she's usually around with. I mean, she sees the crazy people in the courtroom, but now she has to, like, deal with one that she has sort of a relationship with. And I just really enjoyed being someone who didn't have any kind of a filter. She just goes through life the way she goes through life. And I think I have plenty of filters. So, it's very freeing to play someone like that, and then to give her (Abby) something to react to.
 
John Betancourt: Oh, it's wonderful. Again. I appreciate these insights. It's so incredible to learn them. And I mean, obviously we talk a lot about, you know, the joy of Susan in general. What is it that you've enjoyed the most about playing this character over these past few episodes?
 
Julia Duffy: Well, I guess just the freedom, because she's so unselfconscious. And I mean, I would love to be like that, quite frankly, that's the most enjoyable part.
 
John Betancourt: You've turned in some great work here. I mean, every single episode that Susan has been in has been impactful, has been moving, has been just so wonderfully beautiful and funny. What are you most proud of when it comes to what you put into this character?
 
Julia Duffy: Probably the second slap in the hospital scene in the first episode, because Melissa (Rauch) and I said to each other, first of all, the audience, we had a wild, wonderful audience, and you just wanted to give them something more. So, when we did another take, she and I kind of said to each other, “You know what? Since I'm supposed to be so hopped up on post-surgery drugs and everything, I think another slap should just come out of nowhere.” And it took everyone by surprise in the second take, everyone on the floor, everyone in the audience, and it was, I mean, we were just waiting and waiting for the laughter to stop. It was very gratifying.
 
John Betancourt: The last question that I have for you today, again, you get to do so many wonderful, freeing things in this episode. There are so many hilarious moments. What was your favorite moment from this particular episode?
 
Julia Duffy: I think I just remember when I had the scene with Abby in her office, and the fact that, you know, I made her uncomfortable and then invited her to my party, and all of that. I don't know. It's just kind of generally fun to be the one who was deciding how the conversation would go and what we were going to do. And it's just that being unrestrained, which is not me, but it was really fun being her.
 
This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

Aram Tafreshian is an accomplished actor that is currently wowing audiences as Dr. Dominik Kohn in the magnificent new Apple TV+ series, Berlin ER, and we had the chance to talk with Aram about his incredible work in this series.
 
John Betancourt: Love to start by getting to know what it was that attracted you to this project as an actor.
 
Aram Tafreshian: Um, my sister, she is a doctor. She works in Berlin, in an emergency room, actually, right now. So, she told me so many stories about her work, and, of course, I saw what went into becoming a doctor for her. Like, she studied for, I don't know, eight, nine, ten, years until she even started working with patients, like there is so much that's happening before you become a doctor, and then you are there, and then you experience… every day those crazy things that happen, that that are not visible in the rest of the society, usually, like illness, mental illness, death. Usually, we don't have that in our in our day to day lives. It's everything is brought directly to the hospital, but there are people who experience that every day, for weeks, months, years. So, I always was interested in playing something like this, and then the treatment and the books for this show came, and it was like exactly what I had been hearing from my sister and her friends and everything. So, I was really intrigued and really wanted to be part of that, yeah, because it's exactly that. So, I directly called her, and I directly asked her to read the scenes with me and to talk about it, and to see what is realistic, what could be even more realistic, and everything.
 
John Betancourt: Speaking of finding that realism, everybody feels so real and feels like somebody that you would know in everyday life in this show. And I'm curious, especially for Dom, since he's such a different type of character, how you found that essence and that realism of him.
 
Aram Tafreshian: I mean, it was from the beginning what I loved about the show that it's kind of, I think it's so brave, or like, so brave in a way that it's every character, everything, actually, there, is so complex and so contradictory, and they don't decide between good and evil. They just let those people be people. And with Dom especially, I was also very interested in looking into this kind of contradictory reality of someone who can be very manipulative, and who can be in a way, like, very, very evil, but actually is a good person and wants to do good things. And he's nice, and he's kind, and he really, it's not fake. He really believes in this, and he really wants to be a good doctor, and he really believes that this is also part of being a good doctor. He has a private life, unlike all the other doctors, because he really also likes being with people and everything, and at the same time, he's so controlled by his fears, that he's going into these different directions and making those fatal decisions for himself. And this was something that interested me about this character especially.
 
John Betancourt: Now to expand upon Dom further, since you talked about his duality, and since you’re so close to him, what do you think is driving that behavior?
 
Aram Tafreshian: I think he is controlled by fear and controlled by a certain image that he has of himself, like he has an image of how he is supposed to be, and how he should be, and he is following this image instead of being true to himself. And I think it's also something that, I think it also tells a story about how the medical system, at least here, works, where people are kind of like young assistant doctors, are kind of thrown into work, and a lot depends on them, when and how they ask for help, that they say, “I never did this before. Can you please help me?” And it's also a lot about like, a mistake culture that that actually should exist in a hospital like that, people are able to say, I did something wrong or I don't know something. But instead, it's the opposite, right? It's, you have to be brilliant, and you have to know everything as a doctor. And you're, shamed if you, if you make a mistake, or if there's something.
 
So, it depends on people's characters to stay true and to ask for help. And I think that is the moment where Dom kind of takes one and then a lot of wrong turns, because he's too afraid to say, even on his first day, to say, “Okay, this is something I never did before. I need help right now,” and he's trying to fake it. And then from this point, it's getting worse and worse. And I think this is also something, probably all of us, at least I, can relate to right, as an actor, as an artist, you always have also this kind of imposter syndrome, always have the feeling that you're not enough. And there are many moments that instead of asking for help or instead of admitting it, you kind of try to fake it through. But of course, as an actor, much less harm is done. (Laughter)
 
John Betancourt: What’s been the most difficult aspect of being in a show that is so intense at times?
 
Aram Tafreshian: I mean the intense parts. For me, personally, I think actors are different there. The intense parts are, of course, more the fun parts, because that's something that you want to, like, that's the places you want to go as an actor, right? At least, I do. Like the extreme moments, the very emotional moments where it gets really existential for me, are much more challenging. Or I think at least for me, took much more tryouts and preparation was those lying and manipulative moments. Because it's very… it's a thin line, because I really wanted it to feel authentic, and I really also wanted it to be that Dom is someone you could meet daily, that is not this kind of, you know, this kind of, there is also very often, this kind of sexiness and brilliance to those gaslighting people.
 
And on the other hand, it would have been too easy to just show someone who is incompetent or something, because that's not, I think that's not the point with him, but it's somewhere in between. And what I was hoping to achieve there, of course, is that at the same that you really don't know what to think of this person, you’re really always trying to grasp him and to say, “Do I like him? Do I hate him? What's happening with this?” I personally liked already when I read the character, the first character description where I thought, that's an amazing character to play, because there is so much secret also, and so much that you will probably never grasp about him, because there is so much underneath.
 
John Betancourt: Now this is a chance to showcase the medical profession in a very different light, and I’m wondering what you hope the audience takes away from the world of medicine when they tune in.
 
Aram Tafreshian: What I would hope, what is perhaps different, is that I think we all know that the medical system is like, it's struggling, it can be broken. The healthcare sector has a lot of problems. We all know that, but we don't feel it in our hearts. We don't feel in our bodies how it is to work there, how it is to experience this every day, this fragility of human life, these extreme existential moments, the -- I mean, the fact that there are people who are really sacrificing their souls to keep this thing running. And we should, like society should treat them like royalty, right? But instead, society is like, I mean, I don't know if you say that in English too, throwing stones in the way of them.
 
You say that in German, like they’re kind of treated not in a good way. You make it even harder for them. And I think this is something, what I would hope is something that you in this show, you don't understand with your mind, but you really feel it with your body, right? Because you are kind of part of the system. And you also understand that the system is not something that is implemented by some evil people somewhere. It's also, if we go on like this, we all are part of the system. That's what you can see. I think in all of those characters, that's why they are also all flawed, good and bad at the same time, because the system is more than just a few good and evil people.
 
This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

Şafak Şengül is a rising star in the industry, as evidenced by her incredible work as Dr. Emina Ertan in the new Apple TV+ series, Berlin ER, and we had the honor of sitting down with Şafak to discuss her work on the series.
 
John Betancourt:  I want to start today by getting to know what it was that attracted you to this project as an actor.
 
Şafak Şengül: Um, I would say I have different professions in one profession, I feel like that is one of the most fun parts about acting. And I feel like playing a surgeon that is very convinced that she's one of the best is something that is very tempting. Because as actors, just as many other people in different jobs, we tend to self-doubt every once in a while. So, playing a character that is that confident can be a relief. Sometimes.
 
John Betancourt: Now you and the rest of the cast, bring a real essence of realism to this story. These feel like people that we could actually know. At times it feels like a documentary. And I'm curious how you found that essence of realism for Emina.
 
Şafak Şengül: So, the first step was actually doing an internship in in an actual ER. That was pretty difficult to get, but it did work out, because I promised that I would be very, very invisible. So that worked out fine. And I was introduced to the basics of the medical profession, but I was mainly there to see people doing their work. So, I was not there to see the patients. I was there to see the doctors. They were my case of study. So, I would watch them as they would do surgery. And there were big opposites in how they how they do their profession. One surgeon was playing “Drop It Like It’s Hot’ while they were doing the surgery. And the other surgeon didn't want anyone to make any noise, you know? And that's how different people do their job best, right? So that was very interesting to see. I would watch their physicality, the way, the way they talk to each other, and I would just put that together to give myself a frame in a way. And then we also had the preparation with the production that they did, where we did the difficult surgeries that we were actually supposed to do on the show, and we did them again and again and again until we were pretty, pretty fluent in what we were doing.
 
John Betancourt: That’s amazing, and one of the big draws of the show too, is the fact that you guys as a collective whole, really bring about a very intense and very gritty, ER room in this particular piece, I'm curious, especially for Emina, especially in episode five, you have a lot you have to do when it comes from an emotional standpoint. And I'm curious how difficult it's been playing some of the darker aspects of the show.
 
Şafak Şengül: It is, in a way, super important to distance yourself when you do these very, very emotional scenes, but also be immersive. So, it is a big contrast. It is a very, very difficult approach, and it's very individualistic for everyone. So, everyone has their own way and their own method, in a way, but I feel like it was kind of a catharsis in a way, because that is part of the acting experience, the fact that you can actually honestly let out everything that you would feel as that character. So, in a way, it wasn't just difficult, but also very rewarding and cleansing in a way. And I feel like everything that we have built up with Emina so far is her covering her emotions and putting them to the side to actually do a good job, and then she's confronted with a specific situation where she cannot cover those anymore. And that's actually one of the most interesting twists that I saw in a character that I was very excited to play.
 
John Betancourt: I can see why, because it was just so powerful, very moving, by the way, brought me to absolute tears, because you did amazing job. But I do want to talk about that for a minute. Break that down a little further. I am curious, like, I mean Emina’s pain, that felt so raw, so visceral, so moving. How did you get into that, that mindset, because that that didn't feel like acting.
 
Şafak Şengül: In a way, it isn't, because I'm often asked if acting is just being a good liar. And I feel like you might have heard that sentence before. I feel like the job of acting is kind of stereotyped from the outside, if you don't actually know what's happening, because it does feel weird, right? You see someone and you're like, “Why are you doing this to yourself? Why are you crying? Why are you fighting, and how do you do it?” But in a way, it is actually making yourself disappear in that moment to give space for a different person that has actually experienced something like this. And I feel like this is our responsibility as filmmakers to portray those biographies that are actually something people resonate with, or something that people must see, because those are important stories to tell, and the trauma that women like Emina carry around with them is something that is very close to my heart. So, it was very important for me to actually put my best work into it and to actually portray it as authentically as I can. And I feel like we can all resonate with negative experiences when we read them or when we see them, that it's actually kind of, kind of, I wouldn't say, easy to do, but it does make sense when you put yourself in her shoes.
 
John Betancourt: That’s very insightful. I always love learning the process from actors.
 
Şafak Şengül: It's always so fast I can't even explain it. 100% I'm going to be honest; I feel like 20% of the process is magic. I don't really know what's happening. I just do my thing.
 
John Betancourt: That is why you're an actor and I'm a reporter, because you know how to do that, and I don't. (Laughter from Şafak and John.) Now you mentioned there's, there's a level of catharsis that comes with this too, and I'm curious how rewarding it has been then to go through this experience as an actor.
 
Şafak Şengül: Very much, because I had half a year to actually work on a character, and that is a very luxurious position, right? So, it was even longer than half a year, because I did my preparations before we even started shooting. So, it was more than six months, definitely. And I feel like it was such a great job for me to do, because at the time, I've only had experiences where I was on set for a few weeks, maybe, but never that long. So I just graduated from acting school, and I got that job offer, and I was so excited to do it right, because it feels like a very, very big opportunity, but I didn't really grasp at the time what it was about, what it's going to be, how it's going to be perceived, and how people were going to give us that much positive feedback. So, I feel like I've been thankful along the way, even before we started, and I'm still feeling the same way.
 
John Betancourt: Now there’s a lot of depth to this show, and it showcases a lot of amazing aspects of what doctors go through. What do you hope audiences learn about the profession when they tune in?
 
Şafak Şengül: I feel like it is a job that is very much respected, in a way, because it's such a such an ancient profession, right? So, everyone knows what a doctor does. It's not a big mystery. But at the same time, there are so many downsides to the profession as well that are being ignored, or maybe people don't really know what it's all about. So, I very much hope, after having the experiences with the doctors that I talked to and doing this project, that people appreciate what the doctors do, and not only the doctors, but also the nurses and everyone that works at a hospital, the fact that they actually put a lot of their own to the side to help people in emergencies. And I very much hope that people can appreciate that they work sometimes against a system that is that is rigged, right? So, it is a matter of answers as any other, any other profession. So, I hope that people can maybe, maybe influential people in politics can take away that this is something to be funded maybe, maybe that is something we could invest in, that is something that I very much hope for when it comes to the medical system.
 
John Betancourt: What are you most proud of when it comes to your work in season one of this series?
 
Şafak Şengül: I would say the climate on set, because I feel like everyone put in the effort to show up every day with a positive attitude, and I feel like everyone was just a part of that whole atmosphere that we had. And I also, of course, tried to come in fresh faced. Every time I did a big crying and fighting scene, as I usually do, so, I would try to leave that behind for the day. And, you know, have a fresh start. And I feel like everyone was just so supportive of that general idea of having a good time, although we handle such rough subjects, and I feel like that is my most valuable takeaway that I want to bring into any other workspace I enter.
 
John Betancourt: Last question, we still have a few weeks left of the first season, and I'm just curious that you had to sum up the remainder of season one in a single word. What would that word be?
 
Şafak Şengül: I would say… animalistic.
 
This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

It is definitely safe to say, that Brent Spiner is a living legend in Hollywood. Simply because he is well-known for his ability to morph into the characters he plays and he’s made a major impact on several iconic franchises, such as Star Trek, and Night Court on NBC. In fact, the latter is of note today, because Brent continues to keep audiences in stitches, courtesy of the revival of his character, Bob Wheeler, and we had the incredible honor of sitting down with Brent to discuss his now, multi-season return to the show.
John Betancourt: I would love to start by getting to know what it was that kind of brought forth this whole reunion of the Wheelers and Night Court.
 
Brent Spiner: Well, you know what? I think. I'm not sure whose idea was, but I'm happy they thought of it. Whoever it was. It may have been Melissa (Rauch), I don't know, but it was fortuitous for me and for Annie (O’Donnell) and for Kate (Micucci), that we're all happy to be doing it. Yeah.
 
John Betancourt: Well, the fans are glad too, since everyone was wondering where the Wheelers were in season one. Now, I'm curious too, was it difficult at all to slip back into the kind of mind and world of Bob Wheeler?
 
Brent Spiner: No. You know, really, I'm putting on now. I'm actually exactly like Bob Wheeler, and I'm pretending to be a… normal sort of guy right now talking to you. (Laughter from John.) I actually, I've been doing Bob Wheeler since I was a kid. And the first time I auditioned for the original series, I thought, “I wonder if I could do my character that I've been doing for this part,” and so I gave it a shot, and they cast me, and I've been happy ever since.
 
John Betancourt: Well, that’s just incredible, that you get to play something from your childhood. Now, it’s a huge deal that the Wheelers are back, that this series is back, and I have to know what it was like or been like, to walk back into that courtroom over the past couple of seasons.
 
Brent Spiner: Well, it was kind of wonderful. You know, it's identical to the original sets. I mean, the sets are just perfect. And I keep having this experience, you know, because I had sort of a similar experience on the Picard series of walking back onto the Enterprise-D set, and it was identical. And then I go over to do Night Court again, and I'm walking on that set again, and it's identical. So, it's really amazing that these guys can pull it off so perfectly. I love it, and it's a great set.
 
John Betancourt: I’m with you there, I was blown away by how they perfectly replicated it. Now, this really is a great opportunity for me, to talk to a living legend in the industry and pick your brain about the craft. Because you have this innate ability to be… just be a chameleon and instantly transform into your characters. And I'm curious how you're able to do that with such ease and with such incredible believability.
 
Brent Spiner: You know what? I don't know. Honestly, I… think, really, it's just a matter of, you know, I'm always up for a challenge, and if I can just let go and relax and go for it, generally, I can find my way in, and I've been lucky. I’ve had some really wonderful roles to play, including Bob, yeah, who knows. It's, you know, acting is, is a really bizarre, ephemeral thing, and sometimes you hit lightning, and sometimes you completely strike out. But I've been lucky. I've had pretty good batting average.
 
John Betancourt: Now, obviously, you've done it all. You'v done film, you've done television, you've done single cam, you've done multi cam. How do you prepare for a show like Night Court as an actor?
 
Brent Spiner: Well, I learn my lines (Laughs) which I think is really important. Some people don't do that. I do. I want to make sure I know what I'm doing, I make choices just like any actor. I mean, it's a role, like any role, and then you show up, and then if you know your stuff already, and you've thought about what you want to do with it, then you're available for anything they throw at you that can change because you're already in the character. And one of the wonderful things about Night Court is the fact that they do continually change things while you're shooting, you know, you'll do one take, and they come up and give you a completely different line, or an added different set of lines, and, and it's a really fun process. It's almost like, you know, improv, except for they give you the dialogue.
 
John Betancourt: Well, thank you for those insights. It's so cool to get to know your process. Now, obviously, you've been a part of just one iconic franchise after another, and you’re just beloved actor through and through. What does it mean to you to be part of so many important franchises and stories.
 
Brent Spiner: Well, you know, I love it, and I love the fact that I've had these, you know, just lucked into these wonderful projects that have had legs and have had, I mean, you know, with Night Court, I've been with -- the first episode of Night Court we did was 40 years ago, and just bizarre. And, you know, the same with Next Generation, when we did Picard, it was, I don't know, 35 years later, and trying to find these same characters only, who they would be now. And I don't think the Wheelers have actually changed much since the old days. I think that's the beauty of the Wheelers, is they never change. But you know, so it's been good. It's been just great.
 
John Betancourt: The last question I have for you, today, Brent, since you've been so much a part of Night Court’s fabric and you're so close to it. Why do you think it resonates so with audiences and has maintained such longevity?
 
Brent Spiner: Well, I think it's unique. I think Night Court is surreal, and I think that's the best thing about it. I mean, it does have an occasional moment of reality, of real reality, and real feelings and that kind of thing. But I think it's at its best when it's off the wall, zany, surreal, which is, what it's always been. And I don't think anything else quite on television in the comedy area, does that sort of thing.
 
This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

We are in the midst of the third season of the highly celebrated newboot of Night Court on NBC. And to properly pay tribute to the work the cast puts forth on this series, we sat down once more with Lacretta, to talk about her performance as Gurgs, and more.
John Betancourt: I would love to start by getting to know what it means to you, to be back for a third season.
 
Lacretta: Oh, God, I'm honored. I'm honored to be back. Um, it's a dream come true. And, yeah, every episode is a blessing.
 
John Betancourt: You get to do some really amazing stuff this year, the comedy has always been good in this show, but this year, it is just next level, top tier, and you are absolutely killing it with the comedy this year. And I'm curious, as an actor, what it means to you to be able to let loose in the way that you have from a comedy standpoint.
 
Lacretta: I always take the approach that I'm a vessel, and I'm allowing these words on a page to get to have a life in the flesh. And so, it makes it a very reverent moment for me, more like a religious experience, as opposed to, you know, “This is what I'm doing.” And da-da-da-da-da. Like, no, I want Gurgs to have her life and respond and to listen and to interact with her co-stars, and so it's not about what I would do. It's just giving her the chance to do her thang.
 
John Betancourt: Let's break that down a little more if we could, because I always love getting a chance to talk to actors and uncover the incredible things you do with your craft. So how then have you, as an actor, found the essence of Gurgs.
 
Lacretta: Oh gosh. I mean, there's so much that's in the script, and then I don't have to do so much work, like they, they made it very clear that this is where she lives, and there's some of the things that she's done, like she's written novels, and she's been on game shows. She used to travel extensively when she was eight. So, it's like all those things kind of inform the kind of Renaissance woman that she is. And it's nice to not to have to make up anything. And then the beautiful part on top of that is that we've got these living writers. You know, when you're doing things on stage, you often are doing things where anyone attached to that project is already passed on, so you can't ask them the specifics of your character, but we've got 20 folks, maybe 20 plus, that are in that room that know the character even more than you do, better than you do. So, you can always ask them, “What was her motivation like? Why is she here and what is it that fulfills her from this role and from this job, being a bailiff. Why that? Why couldn't she be the clerk?” You know? So, yeah, it's just nice to have a day one source that you can go to for answers if you have them.
 
John Betancourt: That's pretty incredible. I didn't know they had that much depth ready for you to go when it comes to the characters, that's amazing. And speaking of that too, something that I've always been intrigued by is the relationship actors have with their characters. Some step away from them entirely, some are deeply intertwined, And I'm curious just how much of yourself you’ve injected into Gurgs, if at all.
 
Lacretta: Yeah, oh, she definitely has my joy. That joy is an undercurrent to a lot of the roles that I take on. But she -- what I like about her is that she lives in the moment, and at that moment, that is the truth. And I surprised myself like watching the episode where she has the interview to become chief bailiff. There was something that I did, that I didn't even realize I had done until I watched it back, and it was just like this -- It was so fleeting, but it was so magical at the same time, because there was a give and a pull back that made total sense, but I just didn't have a recollection of, so I'm just, I'm grateful to our editing team, because they capture those honest moments and make sure that everyone gets their feature in a balanced way.
 
John Betancourt: May I ask what part it was? Because now,I gotta know.
 
Lacretta: Okay, so she's sitting at the table with Dan, and he was like, you know, “Yeah Words are important, but you also have to rest in the silence.” And so, he, he was like, ask me a question. She asked him a question. And so, there's that back and forth between the two of them. And then all of a sudden, she was like, “Take my wallet!”
 
John Betancourt: I know exactly where that is, that's so cool. Now it explains why that was such a great natural moment. Now, obviously, you as an actor care about your character, and want to nurture them, see them grow. What does it mean to you to see Gurgs grow in the manner she has? Since she’s now the head bailiff.
 
Lacretta: Yeah. I didn't even know that that was such a thing. And so, it's nice that we see them making their accomplishments. There's going to be more accomplishments that happen through the rest of the season, and that's what you want. You want to see them grow. You want to see what it's like for them at home. You want to see these things. Well, we hope that you do because you love these characters so much. And for people who watch us every week and stream us and binge us. It's nice for them to come on that journey with us, so that it's just not one note. You know, that's what gets boring.
 
John Betancourt: Obviously, few more episodes left in season two. What are you most excited for everybody to experience in those stories.
 
Lacretta: Oh, there's some wackiness coming up, which I wholeheartedly welcome. You know, comedy is just, it's so vast. You've got your door slamming comedy, you've got your pratfalls, you've got, you know, restoration comedy, I mean, there's just so many ways that you can do it. And I love that we are able to do varying kinds of comedy in one show.
 
John Betancourt: Last question that I have for you today, what are you most proud of when it comes to your work in season three so far?
 
Lacretta: Wow, I'm most proud of the moments of vulnerability for her, because we see so much joy in Gurgs, it's nice to see those more tender moments from her.
 
This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity

Keto Shimizu is an accomplished producer that has worked on some big franchises in her career, such as DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, and Arrow. Currently she serves as a writer and executive producer on NBC’s epic new series, The Hunting Party, and we recently sat down with Keto to discuss her work on the show, and this week’s amazing episode!
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John Betancourt: I would love to start by getting to know how you came to involved with this series.
 
Keto Shimizu: Oh, sure. Well, what really brought me to it was my good friend, Jake Coburn. We worked on Arrow together, you know, years ago, and have remained friends and have developed projects together, and in the wake of all of that. And, yeah, he brought me on. And he, you know, I think he just wanted someone who was, you know, good at breaking story, at running a room if necessary, and who, who had some experience with dark material. You know, so much I love horror and dabbling in the you know, the shadows of people's psychoses. So it was, it was a really good match, and it's been a lot of fun.
 
John Betancourt: Speaking of those horror elements, this is a great opportunity, to talk to a writer that's in the writer's room. So, I'm very curious how you, and the room built out all of these amazingly dark and amazingly complex characters.
 
Keto Shimizu: Oh, goodness. Well, I would say a lot of it comes from our own fears. You know, those anxieties that tickle the backs of our minds whenever we're putting ourselves in any sort of vulnerable situation. I think both Jake and JJ (Bailey), our co-showrunners are really interested in how we can sort of play on everyday fears and everyday situations that could very quickly turn violent and deadly, should somebody mismanage that sort of trust that we put into sort of social norms and social contracts of like, you know, “I'm gonna get in this Uber and it's gonna be okay,” you know, stuff like that, where it's like, actually putting yourself in a vulnerable situation, should the wrong person be, you know, behind the wheel there. So situations like that are often where the sort of original kill concept kind of comes in, like, who was this person, way back when, you know, back in the 90s, back in the 80s, you know, or back in the turn of the century, where it was like, you know, maybe even more so these kinds of vulnerabilities would pop up in the general population, and people could ease more easily take advantage of that. We have slightly more wary people now.
 
But then the idea, of course, of like, how did the Pit change them? How has the ante been upped? You know, what was done to them in the Pit warped them even more so, so that they're even more dangerous and more unhinged and more unpredictable, because Bex and Oliver and the team are really working off of the information that is on record from their past. But of course, now they're behaving differently because of what was done to them, you know, in this in this clandestine facility. So, yeah, I think a lot of it comes just from, like, what are what are we afraid of? What are we afraid of as writers, and then you again, you ratchet it up, you know, tenfold, to dramatize it for this show.
 
John Betancourt: I appreciate those amazing insights. Because you and the team put together such wonderfully complex characters and stories. Speaking of that, what a great episode this week as well. It's so complex. There's so many cool twists and turns, and since you helped to write it, what kind of challenges did you run into in putting together such a wonderfully complex tale.
 
Keto Shimizu: Oh, thank you. It was, it was kind of a challenge to kind of get the concept in place initially, because we were in the development room, you know, like a year and a half before the show actually got picked up, there was just a few of us who were batting around ideas for killers and blue skying ideas. And the idea of an artist killer is something that we were all very excited about right away in those early, early stages of development, but we couldn't quite crack it. We just didn't have like that, that methodology or something that that really took the idea of an artist killer and made it feel like something we could really run with in terms of story. And it was later on, when we were in the proper room, after we'd been green lit. And we, you know, everything was growing, and as a huge Greek mythology nerd, I was just sort of like, what about the muses? Again, we're talking about an artist, you know, like, what if we deal with Greek muses? There's nine of them, nine kills like that. Feels like a good number, at least for what this artist had intended to do. But you know, this artist didn't get to complete their work. So, you know now their protege is out there doing it for them. And what a cool concept that was.
 
But also, the idea of Muses really gives the story momentum, that it had sort of been lacking when we were just sort of like an artist killer, you know, they do cooler things. Suddenly it was like, “Oh,” now we're like, we're sort of paying homage to Greek statues, and we're honoring these different forms of art. This artist is getting inspired by other artists and then murdering them to sort of immortalize them in this way that's, like, really twisted, but also, like loving. It's all a mess of sort of beauty and death, and again, something that you want to look away from because it's so grizzly and horrific, and yet you just can't look away, because it's kind of gorgeous, too. So, yeah, you know, the whole concept really kind of solidified at that point. And then, of course, adding all these wonderful twists and turns, like JJ and Jake are so good at that stuff, you know, like really taking a break and saying, “Well, what if we had this element to it? Oh, we need more twists. We need something to be harder here,” you know, and really pushing us as writers to get the best flow of story that we possibly can.
 
John Betancourt: Something else that I noticed that I thought was kind of neat, is that in the last couple of weeks is there's been a little bit of DNA from Silence of the Lambs kind of snuck into these episodes, and has that been a large influence over the show in general?
 
Keto Shimizu: 100% I mean, again, I think we like to raise a toast to all the greats in terms of this genre of, sort of serial killers, and, again, sort of these heightened scenarios and these heightened types of murderers and again, like, who else to emulate, but the best? Silence of the Lambs, Se7en, you know, like, these are all things that we just we're all huge fans of, and particularly in this episode as, kind of a love letter to Se7en is like, you know, who else? Who else would you emulate?
 
John Betancourt: Now for a writer and producer, this is a chance to work on such a unique show. And I'm just curious what it means to you be taking part in something that's kind of refreshing and revitalizing the genre.
 
Keto Shimizu: Oh, for me, it's been just an honor and a delight, really, to get to work in this in this space. You know, I've worked a lot in comic books and some horror, and I develop a lot of horror in my own work, and this allows me to play in a sandbox that's familiar and also a delightful challenge. You know, it's sort of, this is probably the most grounded show I've ever worked on, and yet it is also really a heightened thriller. And there's the conspiracy element. And there's, you know, these killers are also fascinating, but they stem, you know, largely from a real space. You know, we try to be emotionally true to who these people could be in in the real world, and yet we also want to be a departure from the real world, because we don't want to just tell true crime. That's not what the show is. This is like… what is kind of the strangest, weirdest, creepiest kind of killer we could create, that isn't real, that hasn't happened, or maybe it's inspired by something that happened, but like, again, just elevating it and heightening it to make it as cool and compelling as possible.
 
John Betancourt: Last question I have for you today, without spoilers, what are you most excited for audiences to enjoy in these closing episodes of season one?
 
Keto Shimizu: Oh my gosh, there's so much great stuff coming up. I mean, the killers are getting wackier and more sinister. I feel like, as these episodes go on, the last few killers in our season are so chilling and terrifying. And again, just, just really, really cool puzzle boxes themselves. And again, what's going on with our characters and their interpersonal dynamics is going to get so much richer in these last few and the conspiracy element, there's a huge twist coming up at the end of the season that I'm hoping is going to really like leave people's jaws on the floors. I just think it's, it's a season I'm really proud of, and I can't wait for everyone to see it.
 
This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

Jocko Sims is an accomplished actor of the silver and small screen that has been a part of a bevy of beloved franchises. Such as New Amsterdam and The Last Ship. Currently, he stars as Tucker in the magnificent new NBC series, Grosse Pointe Garden Society, and we had the honor of sitting down with Jocko to discuss his work on the show, and his wondrous career.
 
John Betancourt: I would love to start getting to know today what it was that attracted you to this project.
 
Jocko Sims: Oh my gosh. It was a few things. One, to be able to return to my network, home of recent years, NBC was great. I love everybody there, and I've had the chance to work with Bill (Krebs) and Jenna (Bans) before, the show runners. And I just like, I can get emotional talking about them, because they're just so loving and fantastic and open to collaboration, and they appreciate good artists and work, and they work hard, and they write very well. So that was enough in itself. But then after we shot the pilot, and I talked to the two of them and asked them, kind of where this was going and where Tucker was going and what would happen, and particularly that scene where Catherine, you know, tells him what happens, and he just reacts in the way that he did. I was like, “Sign me up.”
 
John Betancourt: That brings me right to I want to talk about a lot today, because what I love about the work you're doing on the show, your coworkers as well, is that everybody's finding a very special essence of every character. And I'm curious how you found that essence of Tucker's kind of even keel nature, because he, he does take that moment, with an absolute grain of salt.
 
Jocko Sims: Yeah, you know what was interesting about this particular job. And actually, most TV shows, they kind of have a general idea where they want to go with the characters, with everything. And so, you have a little bit of an idea, but generally, as the weeks progress, sort of more ideas flow. But this show… everything's a secret, you know, so, it’s interesting to approach it in a way that would make the performance interesting in these first few episodes. But also, kind of not tip your hand too much, to lean this way or that way. You know, is Tucker, you know, a potential suspect with the group? Is he a victim? Is he in the garden? Does he have an affair of his own happening? These are all these interesting things that I found as an actor, it would be fun to navigate and figure it out and just walk that fine line. And, yeah, it's just been great.
 
John Betancourt: You bring up another good point too. Something that I really love about this series is that it is such a series of want. Everybody's searching for something, searching for something they need. And I'm curious, since you're so close to Tucker, what do you believe Tucker is searching for in this story?
 
Jocko Sims: I think Tucker is very much in love with his work and the idea of success, and I'll leave the rest to your imagination.
 
John Betancourt: I think that answers a fairly good number of questions there. Now, you’re back working with Bill and Jenna, back to work at NBC, what have you enjoyed the most about playing such a complex character?
 
Jocko Sims: I like not kind of knowing where we're going week to week. I mean, there was a period of time in the first couple of episodes where the core cast didn't even know who they buried in the garden.
 
John Betancourt: Oh, wow.
 
Jocko Sims: Yeah. How fun is that? Talk about walking a fine line, just trying not to lean either way. So, that’s fun. And I will say, also working with this cast. They are so talented. I mean, I actually worked with Aja (Naomi King) before on a show called Emily Owens. We were in Vancouver, and we had such a good time. And she was so great on that. And of course, she was great on How to Get Away with Murder. And I just watched AnnaSophia Robb in Rebel Ridge, and I was just thinking about how great her performance was. And here I am on the set, on the show with her shortly thereafter. And Ben (Rappaport) is great, and all the other guest stars are great, Saamer (Usmani), who plays Gary. Everybody's just so lovely and so talented. And that's really the best part of being on the show.
 
John Betancourt: I love that there's so much to take away from the show. I mean, we’ve got so many themes on relationships and just on… kind of life in general, all those things, what are you kind of ultimately hoping audiences take away from season one of the series?
 
Jocko Sims: You know, with a question like that. I always love for people to just have a good time. I love a good murder mystery. I'm a big fan of, like, horror movie franchises like Scream, like the who done it. But I guess in this case, it's not so much who done it. It's like, “Who is it?” So, it's like, this sort of reverse thing. So, just have a good time. And I think we really, really need that right now. And this show does a good job of having you escape to this amazing town of Grosse Pointe. And Grosse Pointe is a real place that Bill Krebs grew up in, and he talks about how you have these people, these elite who are kind of mixed in with the common folk in this community, and I think they're doing a damn good job of portraying some version of that, and every time I tune into the show myself, I feel like it is an escape. I feel like I get to step into this world, you know, and it's a lot of fun. So, what I want audiences to take is that this is a show that you tune in to when you want to have a good time, escape and have a guessing game, drinking guessing game, whatever you want to do. (Laughter from Jocko and John)
 
John Betancourt: Now, I'd be remiss to not ask without spoiling of course, there's so much going on, so much happening. What are you most excited for audiences to experience in the coming weeks?
 
Jocko Sims: I'm excited for audiences to get some big payoffs. I'm excited for them to find out a lot more what's going on. Much more about all of the characters will be revealed. I think of the metaphor of, you know, everybody in this town kind of wants to have this image of looking beautiful, like flowers. But flowers that come out of the ground, you look at them on the surface, they're great, but at the roots, there's always dirt, right? And so, I'm looking forward to a lot of things being revealed.
 
John Betancourt: Now you have been part of some amazing stories over the years, and I’d love to know… what you’re most proud of when it comes to what you’ve accomplished in your career.
 
Jocko Sims: Oh, I love that. I got to go recently, last month, actually, to the Middle East, spent time in Saudi Arabia and Dubai. And it's my first time in that region. The amount of fans that particularly they, love New Amsterdam, you know, the NBC show, that came up to me, just warmed my heart, stuff like that. And then I have people who contact me since I was on New Amsterdam, and after that, telling me that their kids want to be doctors now, because of Dr. Reynolds, that's not something I expected. And the first time I experienced something like that was actually on The Last Ship. We worked directly with the Navy on The Last Ship on the time that I was on that show, our poster was up at the Pentagon. I got to go to the Pentagon. I'm still friends with the Secretary of the Navy. So, we got all of these sort of analytics and this information, and when they saw my character, Lieutenant Burke, they saw an uptick in the number of African Americans who wanted to become officers in the Navy. And I'm just like, “I just wanted to be an actor.” So, these are the residual effects that I didn't think of. And when you ask a question like that, that's what comes to mind. Just it's amazing to be able to touch people in that way.
 
This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity. Also, Also, enjoy a sample of Jocko’s work as Tucker on ‘Grosse Pointe Garden Society’, courtesy of this clip from NBC from this week’s episode of the show, ‘Pollination’.

Matthew Davis is an accomplished actors that has graced both the silver and small screen, and some iconic stories along the way. Such as The Vampire Diaries, and Legally Blonde. Currently he stars as Joel in the amazing new NBC series, Grosse Pointe Garden Society, and we sat down with Matthew to discuss his work on the show.

John Betancourt: Let’s start today by talking about what attracted you to this particular project as an actor.
 
Matthew Davis: What attracted me right away was just the quality of the writing. You could tell by the sides that they'd sent for the audition that it was something special. There was just something about him that resonated with me right away. I just connected with him right away on a very visceral level, like, unlike anything I've experienced, and I could see immediately this interesting sort of, like, dynamic between Joel and Birdie and there was just something kind of ephemeral about it that was really engaging. And I knew it was special. I sent my auditions off, and I couldn't stop thinking about it. And then about two weeks later, I got, I got the offer. And I really wasn't surprised. I really wasn't surprised. I felt so connected to Joel right away. You know, I've been going through a lot. Personally, I was on the other side of, like, some big, transformative stuff, and I think it had really shaped my view about the world and about, you know, men and women and relationships, and I thought a lot of it seemed super relevant to Joel's perspective.
 
So, he's got a very interesting perspective that seemed to really align with at least where I was and so when I booked it, I was obviously thrilled, but I was not surprised, because I felt like it was mine. The minute I read it, I was like, I just fell in love with Joel and Birdie. I fell in love with Grosse Pointe Garden Society. I just fell in love with the whole vibe and the tone of it. Right away, it was super clear. And then, you know, we shot the pilot. I didn't know much about what was going to happen between Joel and Birdie and the Grosse Pointe Garden Society, generally speaking. And we shot the pilot. I'm in one scene. I've got two lines at the end, but then they gave us Episode Two and Three towards the end of shooting, or right after we shot. And then that's when you start to get really key in on, at least the Joel and Birdie aspect of it. You know that last scene is so shocking in episode two, you're like, “What is she doing? She's running to this cop. She's gonna rat out her friends. What's happening?” And then when he turns to her, you know, he closes the blinds and turns to her, and she's like, “Are you still mad at me?” And then he kisses her, and you're like, “Oh shit,” there. Like, yeah, when I read that, I was like, “Oh my god, this is –" I did not see it coming. I did not see it coming. And that, to me, that sums up their relationship, like the fact that she runs to him into the police station where he works, confesses his murder to him in his office, and then he helps her cover it up, because you realize they have a relationship.
 
What’s cool about the show is like we now go back in time and catch the audience up to how their relationship began, how it grows, and how it gets to where it is now. So, you have this relationship, you have this dynamic between two people, this man and this woman, and she comes to him to help her cover up a murder, and he does. And I love that about them. I love that about them, and I love that about the show. I don't know that I've seen something like that told from this kind of perspective before, and so to play the guy who helps you cover up the murder because of his love and loyalty to you. It's just like, so cool to me. I love that guy.
 
John Betancourt: It’s also amazing that there's so much want in this show, like everyone's searching for something, everyone's desperate to find something. Since you're so close to Joel and you've got such amazing ties to him, what would you say he's searching for in this series?
 
Matthew Davis: Life, authenticity, passion? I mean, I think he's been… his marriage is stagnant. You know, he's not connecting with his wife. They're not connecting at all apart from their son. And I think it's… it's kind of hit that sort of rut. And I think life for him has become kind of predictable. And I think he's somewhat, he's become unimpressed by wealth. He's become unimpressed by the system. I think he sees, I just think he sees the world through the eyes of this, you know, like he says to her in episode two, he's like, you know, “I've seen all kinds of things. People get shot, stabbed, whatever. I saw a guy hit by a truck and exploded on the freeways. Ribs are like a…” you know.
 
And there's another line that comes down the road in this coming episode. I don't want to spoil it, but it's a good line that really kind of keys into, like, his perspective on justice and so I think when Birdie comes around, he's just immediately, like, keys in on this woman who's unlike any person he's ever met before, unlike any woman he's met before, she's so dynamic and chaotic and full of life and just like this fresh air in his life, and he's just immediately captivated by her. And he just sees something about her super special and unique and he kind of begins to pursue her.
 
John Betancourt: Now, you said something a minute ago that actually kind of resonated with with me, in regard to how the show connected with you on a very fundamental level. I've been noticing this show has a lot of interesting themes that reflect just a lot of our world right now, that connect to us. And I'm curious with so many layers and messages to this show, what you kind of hope audiences take away from season one, from a deeper standpoint,
 
Matthew Davis: Well, I want them to be entertained. I want them to be drawn in. I want them to be invested in these characters. I want them to… I want them to relate. I think on one level, the show is very much kind of like a dark exploration of marriage. And marriages in various different states of decline, or passion, or divorce, whatever the case may be, but all the characters share a marriage. It's in some shape or form, or in a different state right now. And that's why I love this show, and how it explores it and teases it out, and, like, I love the Catherine and Tucker storyline, where it sets up for, like, it's also an exploration of infidelities, right? And so, and how people in marriage, respond to those infidelities. And that's what I love about the Catherine and Tucker storyline. Because you're like, you see him respond to her in ways you don't think that -- you think it's going to go one way; it goes a different way.
 
Same thing with Joel and Birdie. You think it's going to go one way. It goes a different way. You know, same thing with Brett and Alice. Like, it's a lot of mis-directions within the realm of, like, where are we in our marriage? Like, what happens when you have desires outside of your marriage? Like, where does this? How does this all weave together? And Bill (Krebs) and Jenna (Bans) have just done such a superb job at fleshing out these really interesting characters that are relatable in their toil, relatable in their frustrations, you know, relatable in like their desires for something beyond what they can grasp right now. And there's that beautiful tension in all of these relationships, and it's explored through these really fresh twists and dynamics that I don't think I've seen on television. And again, that's why I'm -- I mean, obviously I'm partial to Joel and Birdie, but I love their dynamic, because I just don't think you've seen anything necessarily like it.
 
This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity. Also, a bonus, enjoy a sample of Matthew’s work as Joel on ‘Grosse Pointe Garden Society’, courtesy of this clip from NBC from this week’s episode of the show, ‘Pollination’.

Meghan McCarthy is a highly accomplished writer and producer, who has worked on some beloved franchises, such as My Little Pony. Currently, she serves as the showrunner, a writer and executive producer on the new Apple TV+ series, BE@RBRICK, and we had the honor of sitting down with Meghan to discuss her work in bringing this magnificent new show to life.
 
John Betancourt: Love to start by getting to know what went into the decision to create such a layered and inspiring show.
 
Meghan McCarthy: DreamWorks came to me. They said, “Hey, we have BE@RBRICK. What would you do with this? How? What kind of stories would you tell? And I was just really drawn to it right from the start. And I thought that the BE@RBRICK themselves had a story there that was kind of dying to get out, because there's this interesting thing of, they're all the same look, but then they're painted, and that's how they take on their value. That's how you know what they represent. They've done all these amazing collaborations with musicians and artists, and I said, there's a story there. You know, if you were in a world where you were painted to be something and it wasn't what you wanted for your life, that would be pretty rough, and that leads to a very cool conflict and one that I felt like was really relevant to today, of people trying to figure out what they want to do, pursue their passions, sometimes being having those shut down. And so it was really important to me to bring in that layered message while also making something that was really fun.
 
John Betancourt: I'm curious too, because there's so much you take away from every single episode. What kinds of challenges went into crafting a show that has so many layers to it?
 
Meghan McCarthy: For me, it's starting with the characters. If you build them and they and you really treat them with respect and try to create some characters that feel incredibly authentic, then that makes the rest of it a little bit easier, because it, for me, it becomes the characters telling me what they want to do, and then I just write it down. So, I think that was, that was really a big part of it, is finding this group of kids and how they relate to one another and how they relate to the world, and how the audience can fall in love with them.
 
John Betancourt: Obviously, there's a huge movement right now to make family entertainment something more than what it has been. Not that it was bad in the beginning, but obviously now there's a lot of depth to it, a lot of meaning. It's almost a standard now, especially with Apple TV Plus, and I'm curious what it means to you now be part of this movement, the revolution, almost, in children's entertainment.
 
Meghan McCarthy: Yeah. I mean, I think it's so important that we take kids seriously. They're complex, multi layered human beings, and they deserve stories that reflect that. So, that's been a key part I feel of my career all along is that I've always felt that this is an important audience, and the family is an important audience, and the family, being able to watch something together has always been really important to me. I have kids of my own and have sat through shows with them that I wish I didn't have to, and sat through shows where I was like, “Oh yeah, let's all watch this together.” So, I've always wanted to create that, that version of the show, but yeah, I really love that, that the kid audience is really being treated with the respect and love that that they deserve. Because we're so influenced by the things that we watch as kids, whether we know it or not, to help in that process, it's really important to me.
 
John Betancourt: Now, there are just so many beautiful messages to this story overall. If there's one in particular, you hope audiences take away when they settle in to watch. What would that message be?
 
Meghan McCarthy: Oh, yeah, it's kind of hard to pick one, but I think really believing in yourself and pursuing your passion and finding the people who support you, in that Jasmine has found this group of friends in the show that they're all very different, but they share a dream, and they really support each other. So, I think that's a big part of it. I think there's kind of a message for parents to open up that dialogue with their kids, that that is something that's going on with young people, that they feel a lot of pressure to kind of be in in a certain box, or that they're supposed to do something because everybody else is doing it. So, I hope parents take that away, that like that's actually a topic of conversation they should really be having with their kids, and that… I'm giving you all the all the things! (Laughter from Meghan and John) But also that your own personal, small actions actually are what help change the world, and that there are things, that sometimes you feel like, “Oh, I'm in a hopeless situation?” Or “What can I do?” And there are always actions that you can take in the ripple effect of that really does make the world a better place.
 
John Betancourt: You know, all the things are better than the “one” I asked for. The last question that I have for you today, what are you most proud of when it comes to what you've assembled here in season one?
 
Meghan McCarthy: Oh gosh, I'm really proud of the fact that we have made a show that is really funny, that is engaging and has just an incredible soundtrack, but that it does have something to say and I'm just really proud of that, and I'm really proud of the team that we assembled to help put it together, because it was just an absolutely wonderful group of human beings that I got to spend time with every day.
 
This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

Truly, one of the most influential names in music over the past three decades, is Timbaland. For his incredible, ground-breaking work in R&B has given him longevity and success, and the influence in question since has shaped the sound of the genre and helped bring so many important albums to life. Currently, he serves as the Executive Music Producer of the Apple TV+ series, BE@RBRICK, and he even plays BRBX Media DJ on the show, and we had the distinct honor of sitting down with Timbaland to discuss his work on this amazing new series.

John Betancourt: What attracted you to this particular project?
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Timbaland: BE@RBRICK is all about self-expression, creativity, and breaking the mold—that’s my whole approach to music. When I saw how much heart was behind this project, I knew I had to be a part of it. It wasn’t just about making a soundtrack; it was about creating a whole world through sound.
 
John Betancourt: The show features some incredible music. How did you decide upon the tone and design of the show's music?

Timbaland: I wanted it to feel fresh, unexpected. BE@RBRICK is all about individuality, so the music had to reflect that. We mixed elements from hip-hop, electronic, funk, and orchestral sounds to create something that felt like a journey. Every beat, every note had to elevate the story and make you feel like you were inside this world.
 
John Betancourt: Family entertainment is moving in an incredible new direction right now, one full of depth and meaning. What does it mean to you to have your work be part of this important shift in the genre?

Timbaland: Man, this is the kind of storytelling we need. It’s not just about entertaining kids; it’s about inspiring them. If a young kid watches this and feels like they can be themselves, like they can create and express freely, then we did our job.
 
John Betancourt: What are you most excited for audiences to experience from a music standpoint when they settle in to watch it?

Timbaland: I can’t wait for people to hear how the music moves with the story. Every track was crafted to pull you into the emotions of the moment. Some tracks will get you hyped, some will make you reflect. That’s the power of music in storytelling.
 
John Betancourt: What are you most proud of when it comes to what you've accomplished in season one of the show?

Timbaland: I’m proud that we created something real. The music isn’t just background noise; it’s a character in itself. It speaks, it moves, it inspires. That’s what I set out to do.

This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.