Digest

The podcast begins with a humorous anecdote about the host's father's B2B marketing career and transitions into a sponsored segment for LinkedIn. The host then introduces Ryan Teyes and welcomes James Marsters, the main guest for the episode. Marsters shares his experiences in Hollywood, including his roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Smallville, and discusses the frequent confusion with James Marsden. He also talks about his time at Juilliard, his experience in the live-action Dragon Ball movie, and his podcast, "Shmackers." Marsters expresses his admiration for Meryl Streep and shares a behind-the-scenes story from his time on Smallville. He discusses his love for theater and his desire to return to it after his children finish college. Marsters also shares his starstruck moments with Leonard Nimoy and Jack Nicholson. The episode concludes with Marsters promoting his current projects, including his show "Casa Grande" on Amazon Prime, his band Ghost the Robot's new album "10 Man," and his animated series "Curses."

Outlines

00:00:00

B2B Marketing, LinkedIn Ads, and Introducing James Marsters

The podcast begins with a humorous anecdote about the host's father's B2B marketing career and transitions into a sponsored segment for LinkedIn. The host then introduces Ryan Teyes and welcomes James Marsters, the main guest for the episode.

00:02:47

James Marsters: Career, Name Change, and Dragon Ball Evolution

The host introduces James Marsters, known for his roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Smallville, and they discuss the frequent confusion with James Marsden. Marsters shares his experience considering a name change due to his last name sounding like "mouse turds." He also talks about his experience in the live-action Dragon Ball movie, "Dragon Ball Evolution," which he considers "offensively bad."

00:04:11

Juilliard, The Discovery Play, and Shmackers Podcast

Marsters discusses his time at Juilliard, including his experience with a play called "The Discovery Play," which he felt was poorly directed and led to him being kicked out after two years. He also talks about his podcast, "Shmackers," with Mark Devine and Jason Defu, where they discuss acting and answer questions from listeners.

00:55:36

Hamlet, Favorite Plays, and Acting Experiences

Marsters discusses his desire to play Hamlet and his favorite play, Macbeth. He reflects on the profound nature of Hamlet's questions about life and death, particularly when asked by a teenager. He also discusses his acting career, highlighting his favorite roles and his perspective on appreciation.

00:58:25

Meryl Streep, Behind the Scenes of Smallville, and The Allure of Theater

James Marsters expresses his admiration for Meryl Streep, comparing her to Miles Davis and other actors to Millie Vanilli. He believes she's on a different level of artistry and shares a personal anecdote about meeting her. He also shares a behind-the-scenes story from his time on Smallville, revealing that he and Tom Welling were encouraged to create a rivalry for the press, but they chose to maintain a positive relationship. He expresses his love for theater and discusses his desire to return to it after his children finish college.

01:01:33

Starstruck Moments, The Meaning of Applause, and More Starstruck Encounters

James Marsters shares his experience meeting Leonard Nimoy, revealing his fanboy moment and how he couldn't contain his excitement. He also recounts a memorable encounter with Jack Nicholson at a Lakers game. He discusses the true meaning of applause in theater, emphasizing that it's not just for the actors but for the audience to participate in the experience. He reflects on the different types of applause and its significance. He shares another starstruck moment, this time with Jack Nicholson at a Lakers game. He describes how he tried to act cool but was ultimately caught off guard by a fan interrupting their conversation.

01:06:31

Promoting Casa Grande, Ghost the Robot, and Curses

James Marsters promotes his show "Casa Grande" on Amazon Prime, describing it as an update of "Upstairs Downstairs" set in Napa Valley. He highlights the show's cultural themes and its beautiful cinematography. He promotes his band Ghost the Robot's new album "10 Man," describing the recording process and the album's sound. He encourages listeners to check out the album on various platforms. He promotes his animated series "Curses," a family-friendly cartoon that explores themes of cultural appropriation and redemption. He discusses the show's unique premise and its potential for positive impact.

Keywords

Q&A

• What was James Marsters' experience like in the live-action Dragon Ball movie, "Dragon Ball Evolution?"

  Marsters considers the film "offensively bad" and shares the awkwardness of promoting it and the disappointment of seeing it with his son.

• What led to James Marsters being kicked out of Juilliard after two years?

  Marsters felt that the play he was in, "The Discovery Play," was poorly directed and led to him being kicked out. He believes that the staff may have been trying to discover if he was the kind of actor they wanted.

• What is James Marsters' podcast, "Shmackers," about?

  "Shmackers" is a podcast hosted by James Marsters, Mark Devine, and Jason Defu, where they discuss acting and answer questions from listeners. Marsters emphasizes the importance of having fun and enjoying the process.

• What is James Marsters' favorite play and why?

  Marsters' favorite play is Macbeth, which he considers one of Shakespeare's most powerful and disturbing works. He also discusses his desire to play Hamlet and the profound nature of the character's questions about life and death.

• Who is James Marsters' dream actor to work with?

  James Marsters would love to work with Meryl Streep, whom he considers a master of artistry and a different level of talent.

• What is James Marsters' favorite type of acting?

  James Marsters prefers theater over movies and television, finding it more fulfilling and engaging.

• What is James Marsters' most memorable starstruck moment?

  James Marsters was starstruck when he met Leonard Nimoy at a convention, unable to contain his excitement and admiration for the actor.

• What is James Marsters' perspective on applause in theater?

  James Marsters believes that applause in theater is not just for the actors but for the audience to participate in the experience and express their feelings.

• What is James Marsters' current project?

  James Marsters is currently promoting his show "Casa Grande" on Amazon Prime, a series that explores cultural themes and human connections in Napa Valley.

• What is James Marsters' band's new album?

  James Marsters' band Ghost the Robot has released a new album called "10 Man," which was recorded live in the studio.

• What is James Marsters' animated series about?

  James Marsters' animated series "Curses" follows a family trying to return stolen artifacts to their rightful owners, addressing themes of cultural appropriation and redemption.

Show Notes