Still Here Hollywood

Steve Kmetko, Still Here Network
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20 years after walking off of the Red Carpets of the world, Steve Kmetko is back behind the microphone and talking to the biggest stars of Film and TV, along with some stars that we haven't seen in a minute. Steve is STILL HERE HOLLYWOOD, and this time he's sticking around.

  1. 12 HR AGO

    Melora Hardin "The Office" Encore

    Melora Hardin, best known to millions as Jan Levinson on The Office, joins Steve Kmetko for a funny, revealing, and surprisingly wide-ranging conversation about her life and career in Hollywood. Melora looks back on working with Steve Carell, the improvisational magic behind The Office, and why the legendary “Dinner Party” episode still makes her laugh. She also opens up about her early years as a child actor on Little House on the Prairie, working with Michael Landon and Clint Eastwood, her thoughts on AI and creativity, and what it was like seeing Miley Cyrus at 15 during the Hannah Montana movie. Beyond acting, Melora talks about dance, directing, cabaret, parenting in Hollywood, Transparent, Dancing with the Stars, and the creative energy that still drives her after more than 50 years in the business. This is a smart, funny, and honest conversation with one of television’s most memorable performers. #MeloraHardin, #TheOffice, #JanLevinson, #SteveCarell, #StillHereHollywood, #SteveKmetko, #LittleHouseOnThePrairie, #Transparent, #MileyCyrus, #Hollywood CHAPTERS 00:00 Cold open, Steve Carell and AI tease 00:49 Intro, Melora Hardin joins the show 02:05 Melora’s colorful outfit and new scarf collection 02:43 More than 50 years in show business 03:23 Little House on the Prairie and first screen kiss 05:48 Working with Michael Landon 06:50 Clint Eastwood stories and singing for him 09:24 Did the cast of The Office get along? 10:01 Greg Daniels, improv, and the collaborative set 12:08 Does Melora watch old episodes of The Office? 13:29 The “Dinner Party” episode and breaking on set 15:37 Melora’s lifestyle brand, wallpaper, and scarves 16:16 What kind of a kisser was Steve Carell? 16:38 How much improv happened on The Office 19:05 Miley Cyrus at 15 and the making of Hannah Montana 19:35 Melora’s thoughts on AI and creativity 23:58 Acting, dancing, singing, directing, and creative energy 25:04 Why ballet didn’t become her career 27:34 Playing Baby in Dirty Dancing 29:41 Biggest influences, her parents, and growing up in Hollywood 32:04 What she still wants to do next 34:17 More on Miley Cyrus and child stardom 36:32 Cabaret, singing, and getting through Covid 38:37 Social media, parenting, and raising kids without phones 42:18 Raising grounded children in Hollywood 44:54 Emmy nomination for Transparent 48:14 Why film and TV is the ultimate team sport 50:07 Directing, editing, and her documentary Hunter’s Thunder 54:11 Melora on going to the movies 55:30 Dancing with the Stars and loving dance 55:50 From Jan on The Office to Tammy on Transparent 57:03 What she wants next in her career 57:50 Where the name Melora comes from 58:31 Jan’s breakup on The Office 59:32 What still “flaps” Melora 1:00:46 Gratitude, family, and staying grounded 1:02:30 Final moments and ruby slippers story Show Credits Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko All things technical: Justin Zangerle Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein Music by: Brian Sanyshyn Transcription:  Mushtaq Hussain   https://stillherehollywood.com http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1hr 4min

  2. 23 MAR

    Frances Fisher "Titanic"

    Frances Fisher joins Steve Kmetko for a candid, funny, and deeply thoughtful conversation about acting, ambition, heartbreak, Titanic, Clint Eastwood, Lucille Ball, and what it really means to build a life in Hollywood. Frances talks about growing up around the world, finding acting through community theater in Texas, bartending in New York while chasing work, and the unusual creative choice that transformed her performance in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. She also shares a remarkable story about the phone call that may have led to Titanic, what made James Cameron such an effective director, and why Rose’s mother was one of the easiest characters she ever played. The conversation goes deeper as Frances reflects on grief, aging, motherhood, social media, ambition, and the one thing she wishes she had told her younger self: aim higher. This is Still Here Hollywood with Steve Kmetko. Episode Hashtags: #FrancesFisher,#Titanic,#ClintEastwood,#JamesCameron,#LucilleBall,#StillHereHollywood,#SteveKmetko,#HollywoodStories,#ClassicHollywood,#Acting,#FilmHistory   00:00 Introduction 00:49 The artist comes before the actor 01:34 Her first big acting paycheck 03:09 The black hair story from Cat on a Hot Tin Roof 06:35 How acting first hooked her 08:45 Growing up around the world 12:21 How being the new kid shaped her 13:27 Why the work mattered more than fame 16:35 The phone call before Titanic 18:26 Why she wanted Titanic so badly 19:43 James Cameron on set 22:04 Working with Leo, Kate, and the costumes 27:27 Playing Lucille Ball 31:36 What acting really is 36:08 What Clint Eastwood was like 42:19 The joy of being a grandmother 45:05 Frances Fisher on grief 48:49 Her thoughts on social media 52:19 Her toilet paper theory of life 54:40 Why she wishes she had aimed higher Show Credits Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko All things technical: Justin Zangerle Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein Music by: Brian Sanyshyn Transcription:  Mushtaq Hussain   https://stillherehollywood.com http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    57 min

  3. 16 MAR

    Adrienne Barbeau "Maude" / "The Fog"

    Adrienne Barbeau joins Steve Kmetko for a candid and entertaining conversation about a career that has spanned Broadway, television, cult films, and animation.   Long before becoming a horror icon, Adrienne Barbeau first gained national attention playing Carol Traynor on the groundbreaking sitcom Maude opposite the legendary Bea Arthur. From there she built a career that moved effortlessly between stage, television, and film, appearing in classics like The Fog, Escape From New York, Creepshow, and Swamp Thing. She also became the unforgettable voice of Catwoman in Batman: The Animated Series, a role that continues to resonate with fans decades later.   In this episode, Adrienne looks back at her early days performing for U.S. troops overseas for just seven dollars a day, her Broadway run in Fiddler on the Roof alongside Bette Midler, and what she learned working with Bea Arthur on one of television’s most influential sitcoms. She shares behind the scenes stories about working with directors like John Carpenter and George Romero, explains how she accidentally became a horror movie legend, and reveals why she never saw herself as the “bombshell” many fans remember from films like Cannonball Run.   Adrienne also talks about aging in Hollywood, why she has avoided cosmetic procedures, the surprising fan encounters that still happen at conventions, and how her children keep her grounded after decades in the spotlight.   It’s a funny, insightful look at a remarkable career that continues to evolve more than sixty years after her first professional job.   This is Still Here Hollywood. I’m Steve Kmetko. Join me with today’s guest, actor Adrienne Barbeau.     00:00 Introduction – Adrienne Barbeau joins Still Here Hollywood 00:48 A Career That Spans Broadway, Television, and Film 02:07 Entertaining U.S. Troops for $7 a Day 03:10 Broadway Years and Fiddler on the Roof with Bette Midler 04:22 Learning the Difference Between Stage and Film Acting 06:07 Adrienne Barbeau on Fame and Success 09:19 A Wild Story About Burt Reynolds and Celebrity Life 10:35 How Maude Impacted Fans in Real Life 13:12 What Adrienne Learned from Bea Arthur 14:53 Life on the Set of Maude 17:30 When Adrienne Realized Maude Was Groundbreaking 19:03 The Behind the Scenes Rhythm of Filming Maude 22:22 Finding Confidence as Carol on Maude 24:04 The Controversial Maude Abortion Episode 27:27 How Adrienne Became a Horror Movie Icon 29:30 Almost Turning Down George Romero’s Creepshow 31:08 When Horror Fans Started Recognizing Her Work 33:04 Adrienne’s New Film Oddities 35:37 Voicing Catwoman in Batman: The Animated Series 37:23 The Acting Advice That Changed Her Career 40:05 The “Bombshell” Label in Hollywood 41:15 The Famous Cannonball Run Costume Story 43:00 Do Actors Have More Freedom Today? 44:47 What Keeps Adrienne Barbeau Grounded 45:11 Adrienne Barbeau on Turning 80 49:30 Her Early Days Working in a New York Nightclub 51:23 Advice Adrienne Would Give Her Younger Self 53:35 Playing Catwoman and Voice Acting Work 54:40 HBO’s Carnivàle and Her Favorite Role 56:30 Closing Thoughts Show Credits Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko All things technical: Justin Zangerle Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein Music by: Brian Sanyshyn Transcription:  Mushtaq Hussain   https://stillherehollywood.com http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    57 min

  4. 9 MAR

    Paul Ruddy - Hollywood Casting Director

    What really happens inside the room where casting decisions are made? Casting director Paul Ruddy has spent nearly three decades shaping careers in film, television, and now the emerging world of vertical storytelling. In this revealing conversation, he explains how actors get cast, why self-tapes changed Hollywood forever, and how star power can be felt in the first 20 seconds of an audition. Paul shares behind-the-scenes stories about discovering talent early, including Sydney Sweeney’s early auditions, the tiny acting choices that win roles, and why memorizing your lines still matters more than anything else. He also dives deep into: • The rise of verticals and micro-dramas • Why pilot season disappeared • The impact of streaming and the Hollywood strikes • Why in-person auditions are unlikely to return • How actors accidentally talk themselves out of roles • The truth about success, ego, and reputation in Hollywood If you’re an actor, filmmaker, or simply curious about how Hollywood really works, this episode pulls back the curtain on the casting process and the industry’s evolution. Subscribe for more insider conversations with the people shaping entertainment. 00:00 Intro: Inside the Room Where Careers Are Decided 01:02 Paul Ruddy’s Origin Story: Scranton, TV Obsession, Law School 03:10 The Leap to Hollywood and the “Lied on My Resume” Move 05:21 The Power of Casting and Changing Lives 05:39 Early Talent Spotting and Sydney Sweeney’s First Jobs 07:42 How Fast Casting Instincts Kick In 07:46 Paul’s Best Advice: Do the Homework, Understand Tone 08:20 The #1 Audition Killer: Not Being Off Book 09:46 Can You Feel Star Power Right Away? 10:10 The Wetsuit Audition Disaster and Growth Over Time 12:39 Estelle Getty and Why Careers Can Start Later 13:20 Casting Directors Have Long Memories 14:05 When Someone Walks In and Wins the Role Instantly 16:20 What Are Verticals and Micro-Dramas? 16:35 TikTok Meets Soap Opera on Red Bull: The Vertical Model 18:40 How Episodes Work: 1–3 Minutes and Constant Cliffhangers 20:10 The Paywall Funnel and Why It’s Exploding 21:20 Why Verticals Are a New Frontier for Hollywood 22:08 Patreon Break 22:57 How Casting Works: Breakdowns, Submissions, Narrowing Down 25:15 Will In-Person Auditions Ever Return? 25:25 Why Self-Tapes Took Over Permanently 27:49 The Reality of Nerves and “Pilot Season” Chaos 31:24 Self-Tapes vs Live Auditions and the 47th Take Problem 32:19 How the Pandemic Accelerated the Industry 10 Years 33:20 How Actors Talk Themselves Out of Roles 33:30 “You Sold It. Don’t Buy It Back.” 38:58 Small Choices That Instantly Elevate an Actor 39:08 The Peephole Choice That Got Attention 40:15 The Orange Slice Prop That Won the Role 42:27 Break 42:43 Calling an Actor With Life-Changing News 44:11 Does Success Change an Actor’s Energy? 44:30 Reputation Matters and Word Travels Fast 46:54 Watching Movies as a Casting Director 47:03 Why Every Role Must Be Cast at a High Level 48:49 Why He Didn’t Become a Full-Time Producer or Director 50:00 Why Verticals Are an Incubator for Future Stars 52:10 “Nothing Is New” and Why People Always Dismiss New Formats 54:00 Verticals, Short Attention Spans, and the Real Competition 56:08 What He’s Proudest Of After 27 Years 57:15 Advice for Actors: Tenacity and Knowing the Business 59:43 Is Hollywood Becoming a Dinosaur? Production Slowdown Explained 1:05:01 Fewer Risks, Fewer Sitcom Hits, and Why Shows Need Time 1:07:13 The Loss of Shared TV Culture and Knowing What Came Before 1:09:20 Closing and Thanks Show Credits Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko All things technical: Justin Zangerle Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein Music by: Brian Sanyshyn Transcription:  Mushtaq Hussain   https://stillherehollywood.com http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1hr 10min

  5. 2 MAR

    Laura Leighton "Melrose Place" Encore

    Laura Leighton takes us back inside the Melrose Place phenomenon and what it was really like to ride that wave before social media and smartphones changed everything. In this episode of Still Here Hollywood, Laura talks about launching the Melrose Place rewatch podcast Still the Place with Daphne Zuniga and Courtney Thorne Smith, why it feels so freeing to show up without a script, and the surprising emotional impact of revisiting a time that happened more than 30 years ago. Laura opens up about the cast bond that never went away, the real conversations happening around a potential Melrose Place reboot, and why creating your own opportunities matters more as Hollywood changes and roles for women narrow with age. She also shares the best thing that came out of Melrose Place, her 26 year marriage to co star Doug Savant, and what it means to raise a big family and now become a grandmother. You will also hear Laura on the shift from water cooler television to reality TV and TikTok culture, the strange new normal of being photographed everywhere, and why self tape auditions can feel harder than walking into a room. Plus, Laura tells two unforgettable stories from her career, a fan encounter so intense a nurse thought her villain character was real, and the heartbreak moment she had to drop out of a musical film role that later went to Renee Zellweger. She also reveals a major career decision she still regrets, turning down the chance to play Rizzo on Broadway. If you love Melrose Place, Aaron Spelling era television, 90s nostalgia, Hollywood behind the scenes stories, and honest conversations about career, fame, aging, and reinvention, this one is for you. 00:00 Reboot Buzz and Grandma Life Tease 00:56 Intro: Aaron Spelling, Nighttime Soaps, and Melrose Mania 02:21 Laura’s Rewatch Podcast: Still the Place 03:04 Why Podcasting Feels Easier Than Acting 03:34 Rewatching Your 20s on Camera and the “Ick Attack” 04:21 Melrose Love Story: Meeting Doug Savant 04:52 26 Years Married and Raising Four Kids 05:10 Why Melrose Was a Cultural Phenomenon 05:27 Pre-Internet “Water Cooler TV” and Perfect Timing 06:17 Lightning in a Bottle: You Can’t Manufacture It 06:53 The Reboot: Is It Really Happening? 06:59 Who’s In and Why the Cast Still Feels Like Family 07:20 The Group Text, The Podcast Guests, The Real Bond 08:12 Churchill Quote: If You Want History, Write It 08:34 Aging in Hollywood and Steering Your Own Opportunities 09:03 Reality TV Changed Everything 09:19 The Early Reaction: “What Is This Crap?” 10:10 TikTok and Selfie Culture Is Not Going Away 10:28 Being Photographed Everywhere, Even at the Grocery Store 10:59 Social Media as a Tool, But Also Exhausting 11:59 Podcast Learning Curve: Why Rewatch Makes It Easy 12:33 Sets That Feel Good vs Sets That Don’t 13:03 Fondest Melrose Memory: It Felt Like a Family 14:13 You Don’t Fully Appreciate It Until Later 14:34 What’s Next: Producing and Building Projects 15:30 The Joy of Becoming a Grandparent 16:13 Watching Your Kid Become a Parent 17:07 “I Told You So” and Moms Always Being Right 17:28 Holidays With a Grandbaby and the Photos 18:05 Nana Duties: Teaching Piano, LA Traffic Included 18:37 The Weird Fan Encounter: Nurse Thought Sydney Was Real 19:32 Being Too Convincing Can Backfire in Meetings 20:59 Which Show People Recognize You From Now 21:35 Melrose vs 90210 and Why People Mix Them Up 22:05 One-Word Cast Shoutouts: Heather, Rinna, Grant, Marcia 23:19 Cast Friendships That Stayed Warm and Real 23:43 Missing the Weekly “TV Family” Feeling 24:18 Leaving After Five Seasons: The Contract Turning Point 24:42 The Last Day: Fighting Tears 25:02 Rapid Fire: First Crush, Movies, Pizza, Worst Subject 29:09 Fame Before Cell Phones: Honeymoon Recognition 30:14 Fake Names at Hotels During Peak Fame 30:42 The Morning After Leaving: Relief vs Grief 33:34 Being Married to an Actor: Teamwork, Not Competition 34:10 Doug’s Groundbreaking Gay Character and Pride 35:13 Aging in Hollywood and Fewer Opportunities 36:34 Self-Tapes: Why Auditioning Feels Harder Now 37:54 What Self-Tapes Took Away: Feedback and Connection 39:53 Steve’s Acting Dream and the “Pajamas Job” Idea 41:15 The Role She Lost: Torn ACL, Renee Zellweger Replacement 43:12 The Musical Muscle She Wishes She’d Kept 44:36 TV Movies in Hiatus: The 90s Career Strategy 45:30 The Big Regret: Turning Down Rizzo on Broadway 46:14 Closing Thanks     Laura Leighton's Melrose Place rewatch Podcast is: STILL THE PLACE https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/still-the-place/id1754955354 Show Credits Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko All things technical: Justin Zangerle Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein Music by: Brian Sanyshyn Transcription:  Mushtaq Hussain   https://stillherehollywood.com http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    47 min

  6. 23 FEB

    Gabrielle Carteris "Beverly Hills 90210"

    Gabrielle Carteris helped define a generation as Andrea Zuckerman on Beverly Hills 90210. But the story behind the show is bigger, deeper, and more surprising than you think. In this candid and wide-ranging conversation, Gabrielle opens up about the truth behind landing 90210, including the age secret she kept when she was cast as a 16-year-old. She reflects on overnight fame, Beatles-level chaos, and how the show shaped her adult life in ways she is still unpacking. But this episode goes far beyond nostalgia. Gabrielle reveals the devastating on-set injury that temporarily left her partially paralyzed and unable to speak, the lawsuit that followed, and why she refused to sign an NDA after winning her case. That experience ultimately led her into leadership, where she became President of SAG-AFTRA and helped guide the union through historic negotiations. She also discusses: • The real impact of the Hollywood strikes • Why AI and voice replication are changing the entertainment industry • The merger of SAG and AFTRA • Losing Luke Perry and Shannen Doherty • The isolation of extreme fame • Aging in Hollywood and rejecting shame • Why family matters more than celebrity From 90s television icon to labor leader and activist, Gabrielle Carteris shares what she has learned about power, resilience, identity, and what no longer scares her. This is one of the most revealing Beverly Hills 90210 interviews you’ll see. Subscribe for more conversations with the stars you grew up with.      Chapters 00:00 Opening Introduction 01:00 Gabrielle Carteris on Aging and Growth 02:32 Learning to Stop Performing for Approval 04:41 Aging in Hollywood and Saying “I’m 65” 06:55 The 90210 Age Secret Revealed 07:57 Overnight Fame and Losing Anonymity 09:45 The Power and Pressure of Being Known 12:33 Looking Back on the 90210 Era 12:47 How Fox Saved Beverly Hills 90210 14:09 Did Andrea Shape Gabrielle or Vice Versa? 15:21 How the SAG-AFTRA Merger Happened 16:29 “I Am an Activist” 17:49 The On-Set Injury That Changed Her Life 20:05 Relearning Speech and Movement 21:35 Refusing to Sign an NDA 22:50 Why Safety Became Her Mission 24:04 Patty Duke, Sean Astin, and Hollywood Legacy 25:14 The Hollywood Strike and the Rise of AI 29:25 Remembering Luke Perry and Shannen Doherty 31:14 Still Close with the 90210 Cast 35:40 Beatles-Level Fame and Fan Chaos 36:25 What Matters Most Now: Family 37:53 Becoming President of SAG-AFTRA 39:25 Leadership and Unsung Heroes 40:02 “I’m Okay” — Owning Her Legacy 41:03 Dubbing for Netflix and Amazon 42:05 Fear of Returning to the Stage 43:25 What No Longer Scares Her 45:22 What She’d Tell Her Younger Self 45:50 “The Girl I Was Is the Woman I Am” 46:23 Closing Show Credits Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko All things technical: Justin Zangerle Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein Music by: Brian Sanyshyn Transcription:  Mushtaq Hussain   https://stillherehollywood.com http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    47 min

  7. 16 FEB

    Joanna Cassidy "Blade Runner"

    Joanna Cassidy has never fit neatly into one lane, and that is exactly why she is unforgettable. In this episode of Still Here Hollywood, Joanna takes us from Syracuse University as an art student to a cross-country leap that landed her in Los Angeles and changed everything. She talks about her first film set experience with Walter Matthau and Bruce Dern, the shock of realizing she could actually act, and how her creative life has always lived in two worlds, performance and painting. We also dive into the legacy roles that keep getting rediscovered. Joanna shares what it was like stepping into Blade Runner as Zhora, working with Ridley Scott’s meticulous vision, and why that film’s impact only grew with time. She opens up about Six Feet Under and her love of dark humor, the craft difference between comedy and drama, the realities of aging in Hollywood, and what she believes keeps a creative person alive. Plus: animals, modernism, bungee fitness in Burbank, and the mindset that keeps her curious and working. Still Here Hollywood with Steve Kmetko. New episodes weekly. Support the show and get early access and extras at patreon.com/stillherehollywood 00:00 Intro: The unforgettable Joanna Cassidy 00:56 From Syracuse to San Francisco to Los Angeles 02:35 First steps into acting and a surprising first role 03:35 The Laughing Policeman: Walter Matthau, Bruce Dern, and set nerves 05:19 Joanna the artist: painting, portraits, modernism 06:42 Almost quitting, and the many lives she has lived 07:51 Misconceptions: beauty, comedy, and being underestimated 10:29 Age, image, and America’s obsession with youth 12:29 Early work she is proud of, and Blade Runner’s slow-burn legacy 13:43 Acting vs art: the frustration of not being able to fine-tune 16:52 Roles she wanted but did not get 17:40 Blade Runner: first reaction to the script 18:32 Philip K. Dick, sci-fi love, and “the only actor with the snake” 19:18 Animals, cats, and the deep bond with them 21:22 Ridley Scott’s imprint and artistic vision 22:22 Six Feet Under and the joy of dark humor 23:36 Blade Runner stunts, revisiting Zhora, and the snake dance 25:10 New generations discovering Zhora 26:17 Cult status and Comic Con moments 28:54 Comedy vs drama: timing, speed, and stillness 30:57 Who she watches now: Emma Stone, Jessica Lange 32:07 TV’s best lesson: be on time, know your lines, hit your marks 33:17 Actors who made an impact: Gene Hackman, Nick Nolte, Bob Hoskins 35:42 Taking risks and going all-in 37:40 Dabney Coleman memories 39:58 Staying creatively alive: health, grounding, flow 41:05 Mentors, independence, and asking for a hand 44:01 Confidence, her father, and being an observer of Hollywood 45:45 Film talk and character-study movies 47:13 What brings her joy now 49:43 Directing notes and the on-set process 50:42 Roles she wants now, plus recent and upcoming projects 52:40 Worries that shifted with time 53:27 Dating, privacy, and a new chapter 56:16 Bungee fitness in Burbank and loving the feeling of flight 57:28 Closing   Show Credits Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko All things technical: Justin Zangerle Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein Music by: Brian Sanyshyn Transcription:  Mushtaq Hussain   https://stillherehollywood.com http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    58 min

  8. 9 FEB

    Paul McCrane "ER" "Robocop"

    Actor and director Paul McCrane joins Still Here Hollywood with Steve Kmetko for a funny, honest, and surprisingly deep conversation about building a career by leaning into the roles people remember most. Paul talks about intentionally pivoting into “bad guy” parts, his first reaction to reading RoboCop, and the night a massive explosion on set got a little too real. He also looks back on ER and what it was like joining the biggest show on television, plus how the stability of a long-running series can change your life outside the job. The conversation goes beyond credits and into craft. Paul breaks down why self-tape auditions can feel like sending your work into a void, why in-person collaboration matters, and what directing taught him about managing pressure, people, and performance. He also shares one of the most valuable lessons of his career: how a brutal review early on forced him to learn how to truly do the work, and how Jason Robards showed him real generosity in the process. If you love behind-the-scenes stories, acting talk that’s actually useful, and Hollywood history with some bite, this one’s for you. Support the show and get early access and bonus content at Patreon: patreon.com/StillHereHollywood 00:00 Intro, Paul McCrane from ER and RoboCop 00:42 What Paul would be doing if he wasn’t acting today 01:09 Songwriting, music, and creative curiosity 01:19 Becoming “the bad guy” on purpose 02:41 First reaction to the RoboCop script 03:18 The infamous RoboCop explosion story 06:11 Did he expect RoboCop to become iconic 06:28 How RoboCop reshaped his career 07:55 Why he became an actor, his father and backstage magic 08:27 Other careers he could have pursued 09:06 Turning the interview back on Steve 10:10 Fame, the movie, and early terror on set 11:44 Shooting Fame on the streets of New York 12:33 Did he ever consider quitting acting 14:03 Patreon break, then critics and insecurity 16:30 Retirement, insecurity, and why actors do this 18:38 Chevy Chase, SNL, and success myths 19:03 ER and staying close with the cast 20:43 Why Paul hates self-tape auditions 22:07 The danger of isolation in modern acting 28:33 How ER changed his life and stability 29:29 Fame, perspective, and avoiding distortion 31:20 Philadelphia roots and football fandom 31:37 “Paul McCrane dies at the end” reel 32:15 What the ER set was really like 34:33 Is he happy with his career 36:11 What fans recognize him for most 37:27 Directing vs acting, what he loves more 43:04 Overthinking, directing pressure, and communication 44:06 The role that taught him the most 46:38 The New York Times review that crushed him 50:00 Jason Robards’ advice and generosity 55:21 Learning to survive criticism 56:50 Memorizing ER medical dialogue 57:01 The origin of the famous RoboCop line 58:25 Final thoughts and wrap Paul McCrane interview Paul McCrane podcast Paul McCrane Still Here Hollywood Paul McCrane Steve Kmetko Paul McCrane actor interview Paul McCrane RoboCop RoboCop behind the scenes Paul McCrane RoboCop explosion scene story Paul McCrane villain RoboCop Paul Verhoeven RoboCop cast stories Paul McCrane ER Dr Robert Romano ER Paul McCrane ER helicopter scene ER behind the scenes Paul McCrane ER cast reflections Paul McCrane Fame movie Fame 1980 behind the scenes Paul McCrane Fame audition story Fame movie cast interview Paul McCrane acting advice Paul McCrane directing career Actors on self tape auditions Why actors hate self tapes Directing vs acting Paul McCrane Career longevity themes Character actor Hollywood career Villain roles in Hollywood How actors survive bad reviews Jason Robards acting advice Broadway failure lessons Culture + philosophy hooks Why actors feel insecure Human connection vs technology acting Why collaboration matters in film Modern acting industry problems Show Credits Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko All things technical: Justin Zangerle Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein Music by: Brian Sanyshyn Transcription:  Mushtaq Hussain   https://stillherehollywood.com http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    59 min
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About

20 years after walking off of the Red Carpets of the world, Steve Kmetko is back behind the microphone and talking to the biggest stars of Film and TV, along with some stars that we haven't seen in a minute. Steve is STILL HERE HOLLYWOOD, and this time he's sticking around.

Information

  • Creator
    Steve Kmetko, Still Here Network
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    130
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2024 Still Here Hollywood
  • Show Website
    Still Here Hollywood

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