Teaming with brother Josh (Silicon Valley, The Big Bang Theory), filmmaker Marc Brener has made of 2021’s most unique new movies- The Rumperbutts, a wild music-comedy that’s a little Coen Brothers, a whole lot ‘Savage’ Steve Holland, and a whole lot of fun!
 
Nerds That Geek: How did you break into the business, Marc?
 
Marc Brener: In the summer of 1995, while I do not remember who, someone who knew someone got me into the mailroom at Dick Clark Productions. Was making $40/day, however the connections made during that time were invaluable and still close with a couple folks from those days.
 
NTG: Did you have encouraging folks?
 
Marc Brener: Family and friends have always been encouraging over the years. Through both the good and the less than good.
 
NTG: You’re based in L.A.?
 
Marc: Brener: Used to be based in Los Angeles for a really long time. Decided it was time to try a new home base so moved to the East Coast and loving the decision.
 
NTG: Do you feel you have to be Hollywood-based to have any real, successful movie career these days?
 
Marc Brener: It can help however do not believe one has to be based in Hollywood to have any real success in the film business. At the end of the day, if you write or direct something of which people think they can profit from it, they will find you. Same thing with auditions. Nail the part, they will fly you wherever you need to be.
 
NTG: The Rumperbutts is a real mix of genres. How did you pitch it to the cast and investors?
 
Marc Brener:Fell in love with the movie Once. And while this is a far cry from that wonderful movie, the pitch was that I wanted to make a low-budget indie like Once with some really great music and a fun cast.
 
NTG: If it were playing as a double feature at a Drive-in, what would be the perfect support film?
 
Marc Brener: The Cinematographer, Adam Cohen, once said that it felt like Portlandia. While that is not a feature, after checking out the show, the tone feels very supportive of The Rumperbutts. As for a feature film, because of the great soundtrack and weird costumes, would love to see it open one day for The Big Lebowski. People dress up as Rumperbutts. Either “Lebowski” or one of those amazing Savage Steve Holland films from years ago with John Cusack – Better Off Dead or One Crazy Summer.
 
NTG: Speaking of, have you seen it on a big screen?
 
Marc Brener: We saw it on the big screen a couple times. Once for the initial premiere in 2015, and then a short and small theatrical run right after that. Pretty cool.
 
NTG: Was it a movie that was tested first? Or does that generally only apply to the multimillion-dollar Marvel movies?
 
Marc Brener: We tested it twice in front of a small group of colleagues and friends. Their notes and feedback were incredibly helpful.
 
NTG: And Josh Brener – your brother? Or just a coincidence? Either way, how did Josh get involved?
 
Marc Brener: Josh and I are brothers, yes. To get him involved, I told him and his agent that if he did not do the movie at scale, there would be lots of stories, photos, and old videos shared with the public. All kidding aside, sent him the script, asked him if he wanted to play “Richie,” and he said yes. Whew!
 
NTG: And the rest of your cast? How did they get involved?
 
Marc Brener: Have always been a fan of the band Mates of State. Wrote and directed a short film in 2012 and reached out to them to see if they’d be interested in doing a song for the closing credits. I wrote the lyrics. They did the music. And shortly thereafter, asked them if they wanted to try and make a Once style musical where they play versions of themselves. Jason and Kori did an incredible job as first-time actors.
 
As for Arian and Vanessa, we are all represented at the Gersh Agency, and Gersh was really helpful in getting us some great performers for the film. Arian and Vanessa are fantastic.
 
NTG: There was a hiccup with the release by looks of the year the film was produced. Can you give us the 411?
 
Marc Brener: The movie initially came out in 2015. We had a minor disagreement with a business partner and everyone decided the best thing to do would be to pull the film (after it only being out in the world very briefly). Years later, we connected with GDR in 2020 and now excited to be given a second chance here in 2021!
 
NTG: You juggle so many hats here--- is there one you prefer?
 
Marc Brener: Lately, it has been song writing which is new these past couple years – doing both lyrics and music. Feel the greatest strength is producing – helping to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. What really gets the heart and soul going is working as a director (especially if it is something I have written or co-wrote).
 
THE RUMPERBUTTS is available on digital worldwide now.

The STARZ series, Power Book II: Ghost, boasts one of the finest ensemble casts to hit the airwaves in recent years. One so large and so dynamic that the show has made a point of utilizing this cast in compelling and fulfilling ways. To the point where entire episodes revolve around them and where background characters are consistently being moved into starring roles as Tariq’s journey continues along and well, with season two of this incredible series on the horizon… we here at Nerds That Geek have quite the treat to offer. 
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In that, we had the opportunity to sit down with the remainder of the cast of this series to talk about season two and their character’s journeys. So without further ado, here is our supersized conversation with Shane Johnson (Cooper Saxe), Larenz Tate (Councilman Rashad Tate), Lovell Adams-Gray (Dru Tejada), LaToya Tonodeo (Diana Tejada), Daniel Bellomy (Ezekiel ‘Zeke’ Cross), Melanie Liburd (Caridad ‘Carrie’ Milgram), Paton Ashbrook (Jenny Sullivan), Woody McClain (Cane Tejada), Berto Colon (Lorzeno Tejada) and Daniel Sunjata (Mecca).

John Betancourt: What was it that attracted you to your respective characters?
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Shane Johnson: You know, what I would say for me, what attracted me to the role is that I get to be kind of an asshole on the show. It's funny because I actually was up for Tommy first. Which I was like, “That didn't sit with me well at all.” I mean, I was, I was happy to have the audition. But I was like, “This doesn't seem like my casting.” But that's when I met everybody. And then I auditioned for Greg Knox, and he was killed a couple seasons in. And so, I feel like I got the role that has lasted the longest. So that worked out for me. But I also I like being hated, and sort of loved at the same time. You know, like people love to hate Cooper Saxe. And that certainly attracted me to the role.

Larenz Tate: That's happens a lot with our show. I played council-member Rashad Tate, who people love to hate as well. And it was really nice to just sort of lean into a role of a character that I hadn't played in the past. And much like what Shane said, I was actually casted as another character on the show, a character that originally got killed, and I'm happy that didn't work itself out. But when I spoke with Courtney Kemp, and she said, Listen, “Don't worry about the other role. I was away doing another project.” And she says, “I have something that I think you would really, really enjoy.” And I say, “Yeah, a politician?” And she says, “His last name is going to be Tate.” And I was like, well sign me up! Let's do it! You know, I mean, that's easy. There's a connection.

Daniel Bellomy: Well, I mean, one, getting the opportunity to work with Mary J. Blige is a no brainer. But two, you know, personally, I love basketball and have a lot of personal history with the sport. And so being able to sort of get back in it and embrace the physicality of that through the character has been really a gift.

LaToya Tonodeo: Well, for me, I've always loved Power. I had a vision board in 2017. And it's all separated by like, my house and car. And in the middle is like the essence of entertainment stuff and Power and STARZ. They're on there. So, I've always wanted to be a part of Power before I even knew about a Power universe. So, when I got the audition, of course, I was excited. And I went all out. Instead of self-taping at home because it was a self-tape. I was like, I gotta make this look good. So, I booked a place. And I did like a nice background, great lighting, good camera. And now we're here. So, I've always been attracted to Power.

Lovell Adams-Gray: The minute I got the audition, and I looked at the sides, and I looked at, you know, Dru's character breakdown, which I rarely do, by the way, I'll rarely look at breakdowns like that, because I want to be like, “Oh, I gotta be fitting this idea”, you know? But for me, what I loved about Dru’s story was that he was an artist first and foremost. And that was my way in for me. I was like, he loves to create. And as an actor, I go in and like, “Well, this person is an artist. They're going to be the best artist of all time.” You know, that’s what they’re gonna be if they're a painter, if they're a soccer player. They're the best soccer player. You know what I mean? I did a self-tape with my fiancé, Kiana Madiera. And she was like, “draw the most beautiful thing you ever seen.” And I was like, “Well, I'm going to draw the best thing I've ever seen. And I'm going to be the greatest artist.” You know what I mean?.” So, I felt so locked in on that. And it was so easy to latch onto that because it was so clear. And I think as a way in for Dru, that was my favorite. That is still my favorite thing about him, his heart and his artist’s heart.

Melanie Liburd: Oh, well, for me. One, I had a phone call with Courtney Kemp, and I just was a fan of hers already. So, it was such a treat to have a call with her. And the way she writes characters is so fun and so exciting and the character, Carrie, was so complex. You know, Carrie’s an addict. She's also a professor. She's brilliant. She's good at what she does, but she makes terrible decisions. She's having an affair with one of our students. And she found herself in a very toxic relationship. So, for me as an actress, it was really complex and gave me something to really get my teeth into and a real challenge as well at the same time. So, it was as absolute “Yes,” for me from the beginning.

Paton Ashbrook: I would say almost the same exact thing. I think that Courtney has such a gift writing women roles, like not just like the quote unquote, strong female role, they're complicated, they make bad choices. They're messy. They're also brilliant. Like, all the women on the show are actually incredibly intelligent and have so much agency. And that was a huge thing for me as an actor, because you know, it's getting better for sure. But getting to play a character with so much agency and also who's so calculated and so good at her job and has a very powerful presence was really lovely to get to step into and lean into and feel that in me. So yeah, it was a yes, right off the bat for me as well and to join this incredible universe of all these amazing characters and the incredible story, has been such a such an exciting thing to be a part of.

Berto Colon: So, for me, it was this idea of keeping something together, keeping your family together. For me personally, it was a completely different environment, right? I get to take liberties that I wouldn't in real life. And the further away from my characters that I am, the more comfortable I seem to feel. So, that's what attracted me most. Same intentions completely different set of circumstances.

Woody McClain: I think for me, personally, I think what attracted me to it, was Cane is such… he's so psychotic. But I see it as a challenge for me, to make him normal. That's like the challenge for me. So, I really seen that character like, “Yeah, this is going to be a great challenge for me to make somebody that's so psychotic, normal.” So that was it for me.

Daniel Sunjata: Yeah, and for myself, I would just say the character of Mecca is so unlike any character that I've ever played before, and I was very attracted to the darkness, I was very attracted to that just the prospect of being able to play kind of a heavy, the baddie, kind of guy. So, it was just a cool character.

John Betancourt: What would you say your characters are searching for in season two?
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Shane Johnson: Yeah, for me, I think that Cooper Saxe has been knocked down and had so many L’s, you know, and I think this string of L's has gotten pretty deep for him. So, I think it's a matter of trying to figure out how I can claw and scrape my way back into the game, and find my way to a win, you know, and so I think that that's what he's about, it's like, he's not going to let this series of events that have left him at the bottom of the barrel, be the thing that defines him.

Larenz Tate: I think Rashad has some serious hurdles in front of him. When we see him in season two, his thing is just about, you know, his get back, you know, nothing will stop him. You know, he's the type of guy that is like, listen, he has an agenda. And he certainly believes that he should be a public official in government. And, you know, the idea of having influence and power to move people… the real thing is, is it for selfish reasons? Or is it for selfless reasons? And so, there's some really, you know, interesting duality there and back and forth.

Daniel Bellomy: My character is, you know, fighting for the right for his future. For all the things that he's worked so hard for, and, you know, having to determine whether or not you know, what sacrifices he'll have to make to achieve that.

Lovell Adams-Grey: That question, for some reason, ignited the word ‘agency’ in my mind. And I feel like Drew was searching for agency and his own voice and who he's going to be, you know, stepping into his manhood part of his chapter of his life.

LaToya Tonodeo: Um, I would say family. I'm thinking of her family, fighting for her family, and making sure that that family unit is together and solid as a rock that nothing can come in and infiltrate or break it. That foundation to be solid.

Paton Ashbrook: Jenny's searching for the killer of Jabari Reynolds. For sure. Just say a very basic thing. You know, that is her job. That's what she's doing. I think she's searching for things that she's not even aware that she's searching for, which is really fun to play. Because there are things that me as the actor, I get to know but as I play Jenny, she doesn't necessarily consciously know that she's doing. So yeah, it's again, like adds a whole new layer of nuance to how she navigates the world and with relationships as they develop with other characters that you'll get to see in season two.

Melanie Liburd: And I think Carrie, I mean, Carrie's an addict, there's a lot of things that she needs healing from and she's not in an evolved place right now. She's still making bad decisions. Aside from that, additionally, I feel like Carrie needs help and she needs to go inwards and try and find herself more and kind of grow up in a way but. On the work side, on the flip side of it, and the relationship side, she's looking for Jabari’s murderer. She's looking for justice. She steps into that role again in season two with being a prosecutor and is really trying to look out for who killed Jabari.

Woody McClain: For Cane, personally, he's seeking respect.

Berto Colon: I think Lorenzo as always, he's, protecting and seeking control. You know, essentially, that's who Lorenzo is.

Daniel Sunjata: Yeah. It’s hard to talk about what Mecca wants. Obviously, he's only introduced in season two. But this falls under the category of spoilers, so I don't think I can really say what he wants. But I will say that he pulls out all stops when it comes to going after it.

John Betancourt: What are you most looking forward to fans experiencing in season two, without spoilers of course?
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Shane Johnson: I would just say I'm always really so impressed with how we get sort of written into a corner and manage to find our way out of it and stuff really does get more amped every year. I sort of feel like okay, well, we're not going to top season six of Power. And they always manage to find a way to. You know, we read the scripts, and they blow they blow me out when I read them. We really advance the stories, the characters, people are compromised more and more. I feel like the passions are flowing heavy in this season, and I'm looking forward to everybody getting to see it and react to it.

Larenz Tate: The evolution of the stories, how they all sort of intertwine. There are a lot of new characters that you know, the audiences will get to see. One in particular I'm really excited about is the fact that Rashad’s brother, Kamal, who's my real brother in real life, Lahmard, he gets to come and play with us again on this. So, I'm, I'm excited about that. So, I'm hoping that the audience will enjoy those, those dynamics between the brotherly love and hate.

Lovell Adams-Grey: Their pearls to be clutched.

LaToya Tonoedo: I feel like this season… first season was great. But there's so many twists and turns like, literally, no, you know what, that's an understatement. There's so many things that's going to happen that I feel like the fans… because a lot of our fans, even me, try to predict what's going to happen this season. You can't predict it. I really feel like you cannot predict the season at all. If they do… they’re really good!

Daniel Bellomy: Yeah, they're gonna have some heart wrenching moments and just the ups and downs, the twists and turns are insane. For real.

Paton Ashbrook I'm really looking forward to seeing how the fans receive Jenny. Like, I can't wait, um, because she's, you know, she's… I keep saying this over and over again, but she is a complicated person. And she's not always you know, as you can see from season one, she's not always a super likable person, but she actually has a really good sense of humor. So that was a lot of fun to play. And I'm really excited to see how that's received in particular.

Melanie Liburd: In season one, everyone was in their separate worlds, the professors were in their university, you know, Tariq was kind of in and out and in his separate worlds, and I feel like season two has been so amazing. And I can't give too much away. But we see more of those worlds come together and collide and it's very exciting.

Woody McClain: I feel like without spoiling anything, a lot of characters within season two have to… everybody has to sacrifice something.

Daniel Sunjata: I just think that the show continues to evolve. You know, I mean, season one was excellent. And I think that season two, it follows very nicely and flows very nicely from the first season. We’re texturizing the characters, adding dimension to the world, you know, of the world of Ghost within the universe that is Power, the Power universe. And, yeah, I just think that I'm looking forward to the show gaining even more fans, and just continuing to entertain people, you know, I mean, that's what we're here for.

Berto Colon: To second Daniel’s words, it's a development. It's an ongoing development and seems to follow an interesting flow. They (the fans) will be happy with the end result. I think this is going to flow like season one, but little bit further.

This interview was lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

Michael Rainey Jr. and Gianni Paolo make up the dynamic duo of Tariq St. Patrick and Brayden Weston on the STARZ series, Power Book II: Ghost, and their roles and work are essential in this series. Since these two gentlemen are indeed series leads that drive the story forward, and Alex Lapri is just as important, since her character, Effie, has been a part of Tariq’s life for some time now and we here at Nerds That Geek had the opportunity to sit down with Michael and Gianni and Alex to talk about their characters and the upcoming second season of this phenomenal show.
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John Betancourt: What was it that attracted each of you to your respective characters?

Michael Rainey Jr.: Well, at first when I when I got the news that they wanted me to be cast, my character, he didn't really have much to him at first, you know? He was just a little son of Ghost, you know, kind of casual, but what really drew me towards it, they told me 50 Cent was an executive producer. So, I just said. “Oh yeah.” Obviously, that's what drew me in, and then just as time went by, and they kind of started making the storyline for my character, bigger and bigger, I kind of just started falling in love with playing the character and being able to grow and change the character. So, I would say 50 Cent, efforts, and then everything else, just kind of happened. Everything was just good. I like it.

Alix Lapri: I had actually been waiting for a role to come along from Power for a super long time, actually, since I did Den of Thieves with 50. It took forever and then Effie came along. And when I seen what she was about, and all the crazy things that she was going to be doing. Instantly. I knew this is it was exactly what I wanted to book, and I did.

Gianni Paolo: Oh, four years ago, what attracted me to the character was not being a broke actor.- laughs- No. I think, you know, when I originally read for the character, it was total, totally opposite of what Brayden is now. It was only one episode. And he was just someone buying drugs. And now it's totally flipped into you know, someone who's, running the game with Tariq. So, um, yeah, he was originally just a lacrosse player. So honestly, I just loved the show and that 50 was a part of it. And it was a show about drug dealing. Those are my favorite shows to watch. So that's what attracted me to it.

John Betancourt: Now, it’s obvious that everyone is reeling from the events of season one and they’re trying to figure out what comes next. With that in mind, what is it your characters are searching for in season two?

Michael Rainey Jr.: I guess he's looking for like loyalty. He’s trying to trust. Obviously, he has people he can trust. But it is hard for him to trust people in the business that he's in. So, I guess he's searching for, you know, trust, of course. He's also just searching for just; I want to say help. But that's definitely one thing that he does need, is help. Someone to help him out a little bit and make stuff happen, but he's definitely searching for help.

Gianni Paolo: I'd say independence from his family, you know, kind of do his own thing, make his own money and be his own person and, you know, not have anything to do with, you know, what the Westons have built and who they are. And I would also say a purpose, like, um, you know, what am I here to do? So, I think that's what we really see. Brayden is like, he just wants to not be a part of his family and what they stand for.

Alix Lapri: I would say, a way out. When we first meet Effie, Tariq is telling her how you know she has busted up shoes, your phone is broken like ,I have nothing and so when I'm you know, finding my way into this lifestyle, I'm gonna be able to pay for all these clothes and I'm able to look a certain way and I'm able to provide myself a certain lifestyle and in that journey I've kind of came across someone that I may or may not actually really like, so I think she started to explore those options a little bit more too.

Gianni Paolo: Yeah, we seen you with those Balenciaga’s in the trailer! -laughter-

Michael Rainey Jr: I also want to double back and say Tariq is also trying to find himself too. That's another thing he's trying to do ‘cause the thing about him is like, he's fighting the fact that he's so much like his father, and he doesn't want to accept it. And that's the biggest part of him… just knowing who he is. I feel like that's one thing that he's also looking forward to trying to find himself.

John Betancourt: So, what do you as actors do, to prepare yourselves mentally… to portray characters that operate in such grey areas?

Michael Rainey Jr.: My preparation process isn't really much because I've just been kind of in the character for such a long time, you know, I've been pushing this character for like, nine years, eight years now. So, it was just like, once I'm there it’s just like, “Tariq Mode”. I'm kind of just in it. As soon as I'm there. It's just, I don't know, it's weird. I’m Tariq. -laughs-

Alix Lapri: For me, I think living in New York helps, because it's so rough. And it's different than where I live, which is Atlanta. I'm also just clinging on -- when I have scenes that are, you know, more on the emotional side or on the romantic side, I really clean to the relationships of my fellow actors. So, I completely submerge myself into the feelings that these characters have for each other and just keep myself in that mindset.

Gianni Paolo: I'm the complete opposite of a normal actor, like a lot of people will be like, “I need quiet on set. I need to pray.” I'm the total opposite. I am just making jokes. I'm making everyone laugh because it kind of keeps you in that headspace and like, you know, Brayden’s and having fun. It's also who I am. So, the second I get on set. My goal is to make everyone in the room laugh and it's kind of it kind of goes on throughout the day. Does it take nine coffees? Probably. -laughs- Yeah. I kind of just like to be in a fun headspace. Even when I'm doing a serious scene. I just feel like when you get too “actory” like that's when your work is the worst. For me personally.
Michael Rainey Jr.: Yeah, me and Johnny on set is madness. There’s never a dull moment.

Gianni Paolo: Oh yeah!

Alix Lapri: Oh my God. -laughs-

Michael Rainey Jr.: We’re crazy. I love us.

John Betancourt: Oh wow. So clearly, you guys have a lot of good stories that we sadly don’t have time for today.

Gianni Paolo: Hit me up when you’re in New York… we’ll take you out!

John Betancourt: I am so good with that. We’ll keep it off the record. Now, what would you all say, you’re most proud of when it comes to your time in the Power franchise?

Michael Rainey Jr.: What I'm most proud of is just being able to, you know, just get up and just come to work and come to set and be prepared and just have everyone on the same page and just, you know, have good energy while we work. And that's really what I'm proud of just being able to have fun while we are working no matter what we're doing no matter how serious the scene is. But, um, yeah, that's really what I would say I'm most proud of just us being able to just be, you know, coming together as a family and just have fun while we work.

Gianni Paolo: Um, I'd say two things. Like, one thing I'm most proud of is that this was originally two scenes for me. And, um, you know, I just showed Courtney and 50 and everyone, you know, what I can do, and, you know, Mike and I's immediate chemistry. And, you know, I trailblazed it into, you know, being a part of this universe full time. So, that and I'm also, you know, super proud of… a lot of people doubted us, a lot of people, you know, when we were doing the spin off, nobody wanted to watch it, everyone was like, “we don't want to watch a show about Tariq, we don't want to, you know, watch a spin off. If it doesn't have Ghost in it. We don't want to watch it.” And we totally changed their minds. A lot of people are saying that they like this show even more than the original Power. Am I saying it's better? I don't know. But I'm just super proud of the whole cast. And you know, what we did and how we made this into, a show that that competes with it.

Alix Lapri: I would say the same I think me, and Gianni were in the same boat. I started as a guest star then moved to recurring, then this season, I became a series regular. So that was a huge accomplishment for me. And I'm just kind of I'm also super proud of my growth as an actor. You start to sink into the role, and you get more comfortable, and it just keeps getting better and better. It's beautiful to watch.

Michael Rainey Jr: Yeah I’m pretty proud of my progress too. Because like Power… I used to hate watching myself on Power.

Gianni Paolo: I go back to watch those episodes! Those are my favorite! Little chubby Mike in the kitchen, at Ghost’s Penthouse! Because those are the best scenes.

Alix Lapri: Oh my gosh. The scene with Michael at the funeral. I watched that so many times. You just did an Incredible job.

Michael Rainey Jr: Thank you.

Gianni Paolo: It's so funny ‘cause I'll be watching like, it's like, I forgot who I was showing like the original pilot of Power to. But Mike walked in the room. And someone who knew Mike, like one of my friends personally was like, “IS THAT RAINEY!?” Like, oh my God! ‘Cause that was like nine years ago, ten years ago!

Michael Rainey Jr: Yeah man, it’s been a minute. That’s really crazy.

John Betancourt: Well, everyone, that’s all the time we have for today. Thank you all so much for your time today, I really do appreciate it. Looking forward to season two.

Gianni Paolo: Hey, we’ll see you in New York, when you come out with us!

John Betancourt: Yes!

This interview was lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

It is definitely safe to say, that Method Man played a pivotal part in Hip-Hop’s rise to unfettered fame. For his work with Redman and the Wu-Tang Clan helped to bring the genre to the mainstream and that alone made him an entertainment icon. But just being known as a transformative rapper, and songwriter and producer wasn’t enough for Method Man, which is why he took the time to branch out into acting. In order to truly become a well-rounded entertainer that could simply do it all, and he found great success in the transition to acting as well. Since he has starred in multiple critically acclaimed shows and films, and clearly, he is showing no signs of slowing down.

For in 2020, he joined the cast of Power Book II: Ghost and quickly established himself as a true star, courtesy of his nuanced and layered performance of flawed lawyer, Davis MacLean, and we here at Nerds That Geek had the distinct honor of sitting down with Cliff ‘Method Man’ Smith to talk about his acting career and season two of this critically acclaimed and dynamic series.

John Betancourt: Method Man, it is a pleasure, I cannot thank you enough for your time.

Cliff ‘Method Man’ Smith: Fellow geek, I am honored, sir.

John Betancourt: Well, let’s get right into it today. What was it that got you into acting?

Cliff ‘Method Man’ Smith: The love, for lack of a better word, the love. I mean, it was a point where I had this epiphany, which was kind of embedded into my head by Tom McCarthy. It was just the way he explained things to me when I did a movie with him with Adam Sandler called The Cobbler. And it was like, “oh, so I've been doing it wrong this whole time.” It’s kind of like cooking a meal a certain way. But there was a faster way to do it all this time that you didn't know about, then all of a sudden you learned and then was like, “Oh, my God, I could have just cut to the—" That kind of deal right there. I haven't looked back since. It’s like, give me more I want more challenges. Send me more, what do you guys got for me? And I was lucky enough to book this show Power Book II, as a lawyer. And I applaud Courtney (Kemp) and 50 (Cent) for even giving me the chance to show my range.

John Betancourt: What was it that attracted you to the role of Davis MacLean?

Cliff ‘Method Man’ Smith: Well, I mean, the thing that attracted me off top was the agent said, Power Book II is casting, Ghost, I was a fan of the show. So that's what attracted me… the show, period. So, the first thing that popped in my head was “who I gotta kill?” -laughs- I'm gonna be a gangster, you know, like everybody else. You're gonna be one of these gangsters. It's like, no, it's a lawyer. Ah, just what I was looking for. So, I was super-duper excited. Once I got the sides and did the audition. I was still excited. Even if I didn't get the part, it was the fact that I got a look. But when I heard I got the part. Oooh. Profusely sweating. I was a little intimidated, scared, but I knew I knew they would take care of me. And they did.

John Betancourt: Now you mentioned that you want to be challenged as an actor, how has Davis challenged you as an actor?

Cliff ‘Method Man’ Smith: Just his moral code, mostly. Because we're different in that aspect. You know, Davis, kind of, he's a win-win kind of guy. You know, I don't mind losing every now and then if it's for good cause, but Davis? That’s out of the question for him. He's more ambitious than I am. And at the end of the day, he just wants power and a seat at the table.

John Betancourt: You mentioned there that he is dynamically different than you. As an actor, what do you do to prepare to play someone that is okay with operating in that morally gray area?

Cliff ‘Method Man’ Smith: You have to listen to very violent music. -laughs- No, honestly, you know, usually my scenes are with Cooper Saxe, and he's the epitome of just sleazebag. So, I just take my cues from Shane Johnson. Sorry Shane. Love you my bro.

John Betancourt: What are you most proud of when it comes to your time on this show?

Cliff ‘Method Man’ Smith: Well, I mean, the thing I'm most proud of is the fact that I gelled pretty well with the cast. Um, the other thing I can appreciate is getting that shot again, I have to keep saying that because I feel like this has opened the door to so many different opportunities. So, I'm very grateful to STARZ and Courtney and 50. And, I mean, at the end of the day, I don't think I could add anything else to that.

John Betancourt: Now this is a season where everyone is reeling from the events of season one, and they’re trying to figure out what comes next and what they want. What would you say Davis is searching for in season two?

Cliff ‘Method Man’ Smith: I'm not more or less searching but putting together a kind of plan for a future or what his intention is to put together something… and I can't give away too much. But his intention this season, outweighs anything that Tariq puts on his plate and Tariq is a heavy hand to hold, period, you know? But Davis can trust Tariq to be Tariq and in the midst of him dealing with his own dilemma, deal with his also.

John Betancourt: Now, I’m going to back up for just a second here because we have so much to unpack and that’s a good thing. But I also did want to ask you, since you mentioned it is an honor for you to be here; what does it mean to you to be a part of a franchise that has been so well received and beloved by the fans?

Cliff ‘Method Man’ Smith: Well, it's hard really, because we came after a show that was beloved with a beloved character who was killed by our leading guy. So that was a challenge in the beginning. And I think our redemption was the fact that people stopped hating Tariq. Which I thought would never happen, and they started hating Davis for trying to lock up the guy they hated. So that says a lot that speaks volumes to the show, the way this show is going.

John Betancourt: Without spoiling anything, what are you most looking forward to fans experiencing this season?

Cliff ‘Method Man’ Smith: I think, more of Tariq’s journey into his origin of becoming ‘Ghost’… two.

John Betancourt: Before we go, anything else you’d like to say to the fans?

Cliff ‘Method Man’ Smith: I hope you all slept safe at night. Because I fight crime… at night.

This interview was lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

To call Mary J. Blige a pop culture icon, would be doing someone of her talent a great disservice. After all, Mary is ‘The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul’, a title she earned after bringing the fusion of both of those genres into the mainstream and her contributions to the music industry don’t end there. For she is a highly accomplished singer-songwriter with hit after hit and award and award on her resume and she also happens to be an accomplished actress as well. For she has also been nominated for multiple awards, including an Academy Award for her work in the film, Mudbound, and her acting career continues to ramp up. For she is also a series lead on the STARZ show Power Book II: Ghost, wherein she plays the conflicted Monet Tejada.
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If anything, her resume in the entertainment industry makes her nothing short of a pop culture phenomenon, and we here at Nerds That Geek had the distinct honor of being able to speak with Mary, in anticipation of the season two premiere of Power Book II: Ghost, and here is what Mary had to say about her career and the upcoming season of this phenomenal and dynamic series.

John Betancourt: What is it that got you into acting?

Mary J. Blige: Well, when I was about seven years old, I was in a school play. And the word in school was that I did really good in the play. And I always wanted to do it. But then, you know, I was always a singer as well, you know, when I was a little kid. And so, what happened first was the singing. And then when I got into the music business, then the acting came back around. And my first gig was The Jamie Foxx Show. And then when I did that, they said, that I did well in that. So, I said, “Okay, well, let me just keep playing around and dabbling with it and see what happens” and what the word one street was. And the word was that I was good at it. So, I've kept working at it and getting coaches and, you know, continue to work, and I continue to work at it. So that's what it was, it was always something that was in my heart to do.

John Betancourt: What was it, that attracted you to the role of Monet Tejada?

Mary J. Blige: Just growing up in the environment I grew up in. There were women that would be our heroes who were drug dealers, and, you know, growing up in the inner cities in the projects, and these rough neighborhoods, they are heroes, because they have the things that we don't have, we didn't have a lot growing up. So, to see someone like a Monet pull up, or even want to be my friend... you know, a lot of these women are my friends today. And I always hung out with a lot of older women, and they were Monet's. But I look at Monet not just as a drug dealer, or queen pin, she's a survivor, a mother, and a mother bear, that’s trying to protect her family. And my mom was that as well, a hustler, you know, just trying to make it. Especially as a single parent.

John Betancourt: As an actor, what is it that you do to get into the mindset of playing someone that has to make so many “grey area” decisions?

Mary J. Blige: Well, you really have to just visit some dark places, and then really recognize those times when you have those decisions to make in those gray areas. You know, what would Monet do? Monet is going to kill everybody to get what she wants. So, I have to visit some really dark places to do that kind of thinking, you know, some real places, and I've been grateful, for this character to have those places really exist.

John Betancourt: What would you say Monet is searching for in season two?

Mary J. Blige: She wants to get out. And, you know, she wants a clean life, she doesn't want to just be in the drug game forever. Because that's either death or jail, she knows the game. So, she's searching for a way out clean.

John Betancourt: Actually, I’m going to back this up a bit and go back to something you mentioned a moment ago regarding going to dark places. What kinds of challenges does going to such dark places often, present to you as an actor?

Mary J. Blige: The challenges are great, because, you know, sometimes you get stuck like that. But as long as there's a spiritual aspect of my life, as long as God is in my life, I can pray it off, I can say, “Lord, please, you know, get me out of this,” you know, and it's not a real place to me anymore. But it's a real place that in my life that I once lived and had to deal with. So, I'm not going to allow myself to be stuck as dark like that, you know, because I can't live dark like that. It's not cool.

John Betancourt: What would you say you’re most proud of when it comes to your role as Monet?

Mary J. Blige: I'm most proud of how the fans received her. I'm really grateful and thankful to 50 (Cent) and Courtney (Kemp), for the opportunity for believing in me, and hearing my story on this. And I’m just  grateful for that and grateful that the fans like Monet, you know, I mean, that they like the character, you know, what she does, they like watching her.

John Betancourt: Speaking of that, what does it mean to you personally for the show to be so well-received by the fans?

Mary J. Blige: It means so much, it's an amazing blessing. Like I said, again, thank you so much to 50 Cent and Courtney, for taking the meetings and you know, all of us, coming up with this character, it's a blessing.

John Betancourt: Now, without spoiling anything, what are you looking forward to fans experiencing this season?

Mary J. Blige: Just this whole second season. How it just goes, it creeps in and then it just takes off. And then it's like… “Whoa, did that just happen?” It's full so many amazing, exciting things and murder this and deception this and oh, it's crazy. It's full of twists and turns and ups and downs. Just crazy.

John Betancourt: Also, out of curiosity, I’m sure this season was filmed during Covid, were there any challenges that came about from that?

Mary J. Blige: I mean, just some delays. That's really it.

John Betancourt: Before I let you go, is there anything else you’d like to say to the fans?

Mary J. Blige: Just watch Ghost, new music coming in November. That’s it. Stay tuned.

This interview was lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

Human Telegraphs is a quirky and sweet female-driven series that follows three women as they launch an in-person message delivery business in NYC, and get tangled in the intimate, unexpected, and hilarious lives of strangers.
 
Trisha has been a type-A, driven she-boss from the time she left diapers, Margot is a shy, aspiring actor who left a sheltered religious upbringing in Alaska to find her true self in NYC, and Lily is a fiery hippie, feminist playwright. The three friends are forced to juggle the demands of their personal lives and dreams while being caught in the crossfire of other New Yorkers' relationship dramas, setbacks, and triumphs. Will their business and lives flounder or flourish in the Big Apple?
 
We spoke to actor/producer/art director/production designer Fern Lim ahead of the film’s New York screenings.
 
Nerds That Geek: We have to know, have you had any experiences like those in the series?
 
Fern Lim: Oh boy, wouldn’t that be fun! During crowdfunding, we did offer real-life in-person message delivery as a crowdfunding incentive, though no one took us up on it. But actually, part of why we created this series is to explore how strangers collide in places like NYC where the density is such that you can’t help but get into other people’s business! I have a vivid memory of bawling to my sister on the phone in broad daylight in the middle of Broadway and wailing “There’s nowhere for me to goooo!!” (To bawl privately, that is.) Life is all its messy glory is frequently in full public display in NYC!
 
NTG: Why did you think the central stories of Human Telegraphs would lend themselves so wonderfully to series form?
 
Fern Lim: Lives in NYC frequently intersect with all manner of strangers, so in the same way, each episode intersects with various strangers in various nooks of the city. These interactions unfold in little bites, which I think is more conducive to the series format! 
 
NTG: Was there any version of that script where it was a feature film?
 
Fern Lim: There wasn’t, but our writer Rachel Kay Barclay is working on a 30-minute pilot version. Fingers crossed there will be more filling servings of Human Telegraphs in the future!
 
NTG: But the plan is – to rob an old joke – ‘6 seasons and a movie’, right?
 
Fern Lim:You know it! I just realized I keep using food metaphors, but I’m at a loss for what that would be here. A grand 6-course meal with fireworks during dessert? Ha!
 
NTG: Do you have a favorite episode of the eight?
 
Fern Lim: I love the final episode! One of the last scenes in that episode is so full of brass and glory! It was a brilliant one to film too. We got a lot of attention from pedestrians and motorists… If we’d known, we might’ve used it as a marketing opportunity, say with large Human Telegraphs signs hanging up just off-camera? I still use that scene to channel badassery for my real-life self when I’m in need of sass and swagger!
 
NTG: Tell us where we can see it!
 
Fern Lim: We had our world premiere at the Big Apple Web Festival on Friday November 5th at the AMC Empire in NYC! The NYC Web Fest will also be screening episodes 2 and 7 online. And then you’ll be able to binge every single episode when we release it on YouTube on November 15th!