Mario Lopez digs into the archives to relive his chats with a couple of the. stars of Netflix's Stranger Things! Joe Keery, who plays Steve Harrington not he show, discusses his epic hair, how he got the role, how it's changed his life and more! Then, Caleb McLaughlin, who plays Lucas, hints at what we can expect in season three, talks about how he prepped for his on screen kissing seen, how he got into acting, and more!
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
All right, Mario Lopez back with another episode of my
Listen to Mario podcast. I am so excited for this
third season of Stranger Things, which is out now. Did
make us wait as long and came out on the center,
which is kind of cool. So this week, in honor
of season three Stranger Things hitting Netflix, we decided to
dig into the archives and give you a chance to
(00:21):
hear a couple of the interviews we did with some
of the cast members, Joe Carey and Caleb McLaughlin. First up,
Joe Carey. Joe plays Steve Harrington on the show and
made quite a splash with his epic hair. He has
to have one of the best wigs ever on TV
Mount Rushmore of wigs. We even honored his hair with
(00:42):
a Lopezi Award a couple of years ago. Anyway, Joe
stopped by right around the premiere of the first season.
So let's get to my chat with Joe Carry Steve
Harrington from Stranger Things. Mr Joe Carry, what's going on?
Good to see you to dude. I'm a big fan,
We're a big fans of the show, and first of all,
(01:03):
I just have to point out the real star of
the show, your wig your care. It's tremendous. I mean
even in person. Right here, we gotta get a picture
because it is. It's incredibly healthy. Thank you, big flowing.
These are this ranks up there with some of the
tightest wigs on my celebrity list. Gentlemen, I'm gonna tell
you he's a big fan of hair. It's horse hair.
(01:24):
It's completely a horsehair wig. Real deal. Now, the way
you styled it on the show, your choice, that was
a creative kind of collaboration. If you don't know, if
you know it's in the first episode, I kind of
had like almost like it was like a Disney print
sort of haircut. Is a little bit more like like fluffy, right,
but then it kind of has the show went on,
just got up more up and up in this and
(01:45):
I don't know, I think it paired well with the
kind of jerk kind of jock bully would work. Man,
you are not you have not like you're You're not
going to be bald anytime soon. I don't think so anytime.
So that's the real star. Like I mentioned, we were
all fans of the show. At what moment did you
realize that the show became a big deal Um, that's funny.
I just got asked this question. I think it was
(02:07):
like I was talking to a family friend of mine
and he was saying, oh, yeah, my mom watched it.
She loved the show. And then he was saying, oh yeah,
my little sister watched it. He was I don't, she's
like seven or something like that, she watched the show.
So I think at that point I kind of realized, like, oh, wow,
you know, all these different age groups are enjoying the show.
So and then I just heard more and more. It was,
you know, it's pretty crazy. Yeah. So when you originally audition,
(02:31):
how much did they share as far as the concept.
Did they keep it secretive or how does it explained
to you? Because I gotta imagine it's if you're if
they're telling you everything, it's got to feel a little
bit trippier. Yeah, yeah, totally. I didn't really get too
much info at first. I mean, I sent a tape in, um,
and then I sent the tape in. Yeah. So I
was living in Chicago at the time, so I sent
it in. Didn't hear anything for about two months for
(02:52):
your you know, onto the next one, just because you know,
just for a million things. But then I got a
little look book and I got the first script, which
kind of had changed, you know, it's a little different
at the time, read through the whole thing. Loved it.
I mean I love the script and everything. And the
look book was so cool. It was kind of this
combination of all these all these like a trailer that
they cut together, of all these clips from these movies,
(03:12):
you know, Jaws and kind of mashed up to give
it the feel and sort of kid so you can
get what they were going for in the show. And
I mean, yeah, it was great. I was so into it.
So wait, so you're living that's home, Chicago's home. Well,
you know, I'm kind of on the road as of right,
is there we're from No, I'm actually from outside of Boston,
a little bit north of the city. Okay, well we
do in Chicago. I went to school in Chicago. I
(03:34):
went to DePaul University. Okay, And uh so you were
you were still in school, still auditioning acting and stuff.
And then is this the first show of this like
a big show that you really booked? Yeah, yeah, I did, Like, um,
I graduated two thousand and fourteen and kind of, you know,
just work on a restaurant and uh doing the commercials
and did a little bit on the Chicago fire and
(03:55):
uh stuff like they're just like you know shows, the
film in Chicago, got a little bit part staying things
and then a few Yeah I booked this and just
look at this, jumped out of my pants. Yeah. And
so now school, did you graduate? Did you manage it?
I did graduate? You got that you're making a move
now you're living out here. Yeah, I mean I've been
sleeping on friends couches and stuff, checking out. It's great
(04:15):
because I kind of have the benefit of being able
to check out multiple neighborhood Yeah, check it out right
and get and get settled in. So when the series
started I heard that initially you had a sort of
like a minor role, but then they ended up kind
of writing in clearly they were fans and and ended
up being what it was. So did you know the
entire plot up front or were you discovering things script
by script? Sure? Yeah, we read um so I read
(04:36):
the first script before I got the thing, and then
when we got there for the read through, I read
the first uh six we sat down as a cast,
like sat down at the table. Netflix executives went on
a rider over there, like, you know, obviously nervous read
the first six scripts and then um, the last two
we didn't get until later on in shooting, probably until
we were about shooting the episode five and six, so
(04:58):
we kind of knew what was going on, but there
were changes being made along the way, and um uh yeah,
I mean I was just as surprised as everyone else
when I when I read the original turn at the
end of the show, I was, you know, obviously excited,
and because going out, I kind of set a goal
for myself that I just didn't want to make this
dude a total just a total meat head or a
total someone that you couldn't sympathize sympathize with, you know,
(05:21):
right now you ended up being and then I mean
you took that whooping like a man, and then you
came back and then's like, okay, you want you want
everyone over right, yeah, which was really cool thanks to
the Duffer brothers. Really, well, let's talking about those guys,
because this is so the Duffer brothers are they directing
at the same time writing young guys or young guys
are like I don't know, thirty years old, really, I
(05:43):
don't know they are. They're a machine. So they're twins
and it's kind of like perfect twins. Yeah, it's this
perfect series of checks and balances where they'll be writing
the show. They'll they'll they'll you know, lock themselves up
in their in their apartment and they'll just right and
right and right and right and right and right and
right and right and right, and then they'll them out
and they'll have these great scripts that they've just been
working on. Then on you know, they on the day
when we're shooting. They actually have a a really solid
(06:05):
idea of what they want, but it doesn't kind of
inhibit anyone else's creative choices. They kind of taken a
consideration everything that everybody wants, yeah, put in for the show.
But you know, if they have like a certain strong idea,
they'll put the foot down for sure. But I mean
it's just it was such a nice creative process. These
guys are like so so so smart and and their
first venture into uh television in this room, right, And
(06:29):
I mean I think they had written a couple of
episodes um Wayward Pines, but everything as far as being
showrunners and everything, I know, it was like the first
thing and they feel so spoiled. My first thing was
with these like, you know, prolific dudes rock that's cool man.
Now there's a theory online that your character on Stranger
Things is the father of of John Ralphael Wreck. What
(06:53):
do you think about that? That That can only be rumors
like that are good things. Yeah, Oh my gosh. I'm
a huge Parks and Wrecks fan. So when I found
out that people thought that I was Done Ralphiel's dad,
it was just a flattering. As John Ralphiel would say,
it's amazing. Yeah, all right, don't want to put you
on the spot. Quick rush book answers. All right, let's
do it. Go to karaoke song. Um, let's say together,
(07:20):
loving your book? What's that song at al Green song? Oh,
let's say together. Let's say I heard that version. But
I like that favorite horror film probably The Thing. It's
a good one. Yes, Kurt Russell back in the day,
celebrity crush growing up. M Oh, that's an easy one.
(07:42):
Kate Hudson, almost famous. I saw that and was like, yeah,
oh my gosh, still hot, still very hot. Time travel
destination mm hmm mm hmmm. Have you like like Paris
and the like? The like the twenties, maybe hanging out
with Hemmingway or something like that ego. It sounds like,
(08:03):
sounds kind of fun. Who plays you in your life story?
Um fin wolf Heart from our show? He plays Mike
play He'll play me. Nice. How long did it take
you to fix your wig in the morning, you know,
on a good day, about three hours? Yeah, it's well
worth well worth the time. Well, Stranger Things is streaming
(08:26):
right now on Netflix. You can follow Joe carry at
Uncle Underscore, Jesse, that's two Z's on Instagram, Little pantomastaple
House or yeah it's about Yeah, big fans appreciate that. Nice. Well,
thanks for stopping man, Thanks for having me man, and
again in honor of Stranger Things, Heason three dropping. We
are digging into the archives and listening back to some
(08:48):
of the interviews I had with some of the Stranger
Things cast members. Up next, Caleb McLaughlin. Now, Caleb plays
Lucas on the show, and he stopped by after season
two premiers. So actor Caleb McLaughlin, what's going on, man,
How are you doing good? Buddy? Thanks for taking the
time to come, big fan of yours, you do some
great work out there. I saw you on the Golden
(09:10):
Globes red carpet for like I half a second, we
get a chance to wrap out. You do the after
party thing? Yes, yeah I didn't. I try to go
to some after parties, but I that'signated myself to go
to the Netflix one. Well that's smart, right choice. But
how do you now? I'm sixteen, so you still gotta
have a curfew, right, Yes, of course I do. But
(09:31):
then curfew right now? Right now? I think what you mean?
You think you don't know? I don't know. It depends
on the day. Also, I'm homeschooled, so it's just easy
for me to just like, you still got to be
home at a certain time. You don't know what you mean? Well,
like I would say actual, like at home as his
(09:52):
dad question, like what's my bedtime? Yeah, like a floating curve,
that's time. But like the latest smile man that I'm
at home maybe one. But then I say it because
(10:13):
I'm just so energized. Yeah, so wait a minute, you're sixteen.
You just turn sixteen not too long ago? Thank you?
Are you driving yet or no? Close to driving? Um?
Who's wanted to drive? Now I'm sixteen, I'm like, okay,
I can take my time, take it, could drive actually
get my permit. Yeah, you gotta get the where you
from originally New York? Okay, so we're in New York. Okay,
(10:35):
what do you need a car? And yeah, I know
I do not like yeah, unless you're like in the
city and stuff. I remember when I was sixteen, I
could while I was actually fifteen and I had a
permit and I was driving, which is like, which is absurd,
by the way, looking back on the way I was
and being fifteen. You shouldn't have any fifteen year old
on the road. And I'm like that, dad, now okay,
And I shouldn't wait to get behind them the wheel. Now,
(10:56):
it is the thing I dread the most. Really, Yes,
if I can have one, work would be to have
a driver, right, Hey, man, you were great in that
before we get into Stranger Things in the new edition. Yeah,
that was a lot of fun. Where did you You
didn't play Bob, you played who did you played? Ricky? Right? Yeah,
Ricky Bell? That was great, man. That wasn't have been
a lot of fun for you and historical experience because
(11:22):
I got to be a new addition and then I
got to tell their story. Yeah, and and you really sing,
you really sing it. You can blow right there. Um.
That's the one thing I love about the cast to
getting to know you guys now, is that there's some talent.
There's some talent there. I mean, y'all sang, you gay
mill y'all sang and dance and obviously acts, so not
(11:44):
like just a bunch of spoiled kids that are there
doing the show. You know, you're you're putting in your
time right there. Do other actors, um that you're a
fan of. Have they been coming up to and say, hey, man,
I'm fatting your show and I watching and stuff. But
I cou surprised you the most. The recent one was
Drake Drake Yeah, oh that's right, you guys. But you
guys posted pictures. Yeah yeah, really post picture I know. Yeah,
(12:07):
that was that was crazy. I walked into the Netflix party,
I saw him sitting down. I was walking towards him.
He got up and started walking towards me, and I'm
like wow, and he's like, man, I'm a fan of
your show. You're inspiring. And uh, He's like I just
wanted to let you know, just keep doing it. And
I'm like, wow, he gave me a big hug, and
it was like a really nice hug. Yeah, he's a
(12:27):
really nice guy, really nice guys. Great you should you
should have been like, oh, great man, what's your name?
Epic comeback? Yeah? What? What? What? What? Good luck to
you too. Okay, So what can you tell us about
season three of Stranger Things? Because they're very secretive obviously
(12:48):
do you even know what's going on yet? I do.
It's very strategic because there's so much to it. But um,
what was your question again? I come, Oh my god,
if you could tease us as any think you know
what's going on? Yeah, because then let's talk about when
we last left off. You were you were macking on
that cute little redhead girl right at the dance. That
was a great little scene that she's cute, she's yeah,
(13:11):
she's pretty, she's what's her name? Her name is Cey?
Is it? Okay? You little smile on your face. So
that's that little part of the job right there. And
everything was kind of all right, right, and everyone everybody
was in the dance and and you've just gotten back
and but they kind of like alluded to what's that
big the devic Gorgan right kind of in the in
(13:31):
the sky like he's no, that was like the shadows.
Shadow Monster was like the big Daddy. It was underneath
and it was underneath, yes, but the big Daddy, right,
the little thing, So you can't kill that dude, right, Well,
I don't know. We don't find out. Don't be slick,
don't try to. I know that where it's going to
be taking place and stuff, just like the whole plot basically.
But they were like, well, I think, but I can't say,
(13:58):
got it? Where do you shoot the show? Actually? Um,
where do I shoot the show? Atlanta? When you had
that kissing saying, did you rehearse a lot of you
just dove in? No? I think I rehearsed for myself
because you kissing mirrors or what? No, because when we
when we uh to be honest with you, I was
(14:20):
like actually in the mirror like at my house and like,
now let me just let it happen. But there we
she actually came in like a hundred times, and the
Devil was like what are you doing? She's like I
thought you said go, but I think I'm a pro
now because I don't know. But did you hook up
the altoids and like do a little gargo right before
or no, I actually did. I actually had some listerine.
(14:42):
It was like I didn't want and then also I
got a lit mom so I wouldn't be chapped. There
you go, that's a good movie because you never want
going back and that no, no, no, the little girl,
the actress who played your sister, you sister, Yeah, yeah,
I know. People love that. It's so funny. She was funny. Man,
(15:04):
it was funny. So let's talk about this new animated
show congrats on that. Space is the name of it.
What can you tell us about it? Well, I'm gonna
be playing young Gary. He's the main character, and he
goes through all these adventures in space and he has
this uh um, what's you wanna call it? Wow spaceship?
Yeah well no, no, but like it's just it's just
he going. He he's in, he's a space, a lot
(15:27):
of adventures. He has his friends and stuff, and his
father passed away at one point and now he's just
like figuring out life. And where can we see that
at that? You can find that on TBS. And and
how did you get into this business? Caleb? Um? How
do I get into my sister? Actually? Introduced introduced it
(15:47):
to me. My little sister. The little sister was into
it prior to you. Yeah. We started at community theater
in our hometown called Pipe Piper, and she didn't want
to do by herself. So she was like, come on, dude,
with me. I don't want to do it by myself.
So I was like, okay, I'll do it with you.
And then from there you uh you got an agent
and not not right there, not exactly. I it took
(16:08):
me a while to like say I want to pursue
my career in acting. Um, we've done a few plays
at that time. And then my parents took me to
go see Lion King on Broadway and I was like, wow, Simba, Simba,
I want to be Simba. And they were like, okay,
you can do it. And I'm like all right. I
wasn't even thinking about acting. I was like that kids
having so much fun on stage. It looks it was
(16:31):
on Broadway. And uh a year later, I auditioned and
I booked it. I didn't realize how much of a
blessing it was just audition one time in booking. Yeah, yeah,
that's like lottery. Yeah I know. So I auditioned, I
got it and then probably six months in performing. I
was like, I want to pursue my career in acting.
(16:51):
And that's when my parents were all, let's get an agent.
And did you stay doing the show as well? Or
did you stay continue with doing the two for two years?
Two years? And I've known a few u uh starring
role guest starring roles on TV shows? Yeah, Broadway? Yeah?
And is it just you and your sister, brothers and sisters.
I have other brothers and sisters. I have an older
(17:11):
sister and older brother and Corey. Are they all performers
or they are? They could perform, definitely, They're very talented,
But that that wasn't their calling, right, got it? That's cool?
Mom and dad were they into it? Yes? Yes, so
my dad the professional classical opera singer. Is that right?
Look at that? Dad with the pipes? Look at that? Okay.
(17:33):
So it's a genetic thing. And then my mom she
went to school for performing arts as well. Oh look
at that. Nice Okay. So it wasn't like something you
just just like, oh my gosh, you could sing? Yeah. Yeah,
And then it just came to me it wasn't. They
didn't force it on. That's the thing I was I
wanted to be so many other things, right, I wanted
to be a bodybuilder. I wanted to be a rock
(17:54):
and roll singer like the spiky hair. Yeah, I wanted
to be a basketball players. So it just came to me.
Nice man, nice, And you got anyone special in your life?
You got a girlfriend or you know? No I don't,
but I feel like it's gonna happen soon. But you
have stuff, my desire, my desire. Yes, you got nothing
(18:14):
but time, have fun, focus on on on doing good work.
The rest will come right there. So, um, are you
big on social media? I mean I like you? What
you mean? Like, are you do you like doing it
a lot? Because I know, I know I see your
post and stuff. Are you into it? I have to
keep the fans entertained, but like, it's not that I
have to, I don't feel like it. It's because I
(18:37):
want to just bring positivity in the world, like you
know my uh hashtag and brace your face be your
biggest fan. Embrace your face, Yes, and brace your face
to be your biggest fan. Be your biggest fan. That's
your face. Started off, I had a really bad acting
day on set and I put people removing on and
I was just having a great day mom, meet my mom,
and I came from set and we're going into public.
She's like, you're gonna go in public with all that?
(18:58):
People will move on your face. I'm like, what's the
matter with it? It's just like, okay, it's fine. I'm like, wow,
people really like to have this, like they don't really
people care about how people look at them. And I'm like,
all right, I'm gonna just going live and tell people
just to embrace their face and this is the process
you're gonna have to grow there. And I was like,
(19:20):
you know what, guys, just snapshot this and tag me
in it and make a collage your face in my face.
And then it just became more bigger than embrace your face,
and it it went to be your biggest fan as well.
Because people have low self esteem and people always put
people down all the time. And I was like, you're
(19:40):
not perfect. Everyone's not perfect. So I'm here to just
let you know that I'm not perfect as well, and
we could embrace ourselves together. I love it. Positivity. Good
for you, man, good for you. Um Before I let
you go, I want to put you on the spot.
Quick questions, quick answers. All right, current song obsession? Oh,
I would a crap? Oh my gosh, it's okay. What
(20:05):
has been playing in the radio lately? Song? Can you
not get out of your head right now? Like? What?
What's what's like your go to jam right now? Crap?
I want to say it. I'm trying to think. It's
been a lot of songs. Okay, I would say, um,
Kendrick Omar Love has been playing? What were you struggling with?
What was the other one? I'm trying to think. I
(20:25):
feel like he was like some I think it was
like cardiv song or something. Okay, nothing wrong with that. Yeah, no,
there's nothing wrong with I'm just trying to think, like,
which song was it? Because it was a lot of
songs that have been playing. Doesn't stay off the radio? Yeah?
Last movie you saw in theaters? Oh? The last movie
I saw? Jumanji? Did you like it? I loved it?
(20:46):
I really liked it because I was like, how are
they going to make it into like a video game?
And I liked how the transition of that. Kids like
Jumanji could do its own thing right. Yeah? What's your nickname?
Growing up? Oh? Mr? Brown? Why? Because I had Ashley
Knees who named you Mr Brown my grandmother because I
(21:09):
had like the brain boots and yeah yeah, um like
really high shorts and I just would wear all these
different colors and stuff. And then I had Ashley Knees
like Mr Brown from Meet the Browns. Tyler Perry's Yeah,
that could be my new favorite nickname. What superpower would
you like? Oh, what's superpower? I would say super strength
(21:33):
and healing? Yeah, a little greedy, now one super heal people,
or you're strong with one power? I would probably can
I pick a superhero, a superhero compasses. Maybe you heal
people and then try just to like become a body
(21:55):
heal people and work out, heal people, work he people,
help people and work out. Yeah yeah, all right, well listen,
Mr Brown, welcome here anytime to see you. And meanwhile,
you can watch Stranger Things on Netflix and follow them
on Twitter at Caleb McLachlin. Thanks for stoping by, Thank
you appreciate it. Crazy, So don't forget a new episodes
(22:19):
and listen to Mario Dropping every Friday all on Mario
dot com to catch up on the podcast, and please
make sure you follow listen to Mario on I Heart
Radio and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get
podcasts more fun next week. Thank you so much for listening.
All right, Mario Lopez back with another episode of my
Listen to Mario podcast. I am so excited for this
third season of Stranger Things, which is out now. Did
make us wait as long and came out on the center,
which is kind of cool. So this week, in honor
of season three Stranger Things hitting Netflix, we decided to
dig into the archives and give you a chance to
(00:21):
hear a couple of the interviews we did with some
of the cast members, Joe Carey and Caleb McLaughlin. First up,
Joe Carey. Joe plays Steve Harrington on the show and
made quite a splash with his epic hair. He has
to have one of the best wigs ever on TV
Mount Rushmore of wigs. We even honored his hair with
(00:42):
a Lopezi Award a couple of years ago. Anyway, Joe
stopped by right around the premiere of the first season.
So let's get to my chat with Joe Carry Steve
Harrington from Stranger Things. Mr Joe Carry, what's going on?
Good to see you to dude. I'm a big fan,
We're a big fans of the show, and first of all,
(01:03):
I just have to point out the real star of
the show, your wig your care. It's tremendous. I mean
even in person. Right here, we gotta get a picture
because it is. It's incredibly healthy. Thank you, big flowing.
These are this ranks up there with some of the
tightest wigs on my celebrity list. Gentlemen, I'm gonna tell
you he's a big fan of hair. It's horse hair.
(01:24):
It's completely a horsehair wig. Real deal. Now, the way
you styled it on the show, your choice, that was
a creative kind of collaboration. If you don't know, if
you know it's in the first episode, I kind of
had like almost like it was like a Disney print
sort of haircut. Is a little bit more like like fluffy, right,
but then it kind of has the show went on,
just got up more up and up in this and
(01:45):
I don't know, I think it paired well with the
kind of jerk kind of jock bully would work. Man,
you are not you have not like you're You're not
going to be bald anytime soon. I don't think so anytime.
So that's the real star. Like I mentioned, we were
all fans of the show. At what moment did you
realize that the show became a big deal Um, that's funny.
I just got asked this question. I think it was
(02:07):
like I was talking to a family friend of mine
and he was saying, oh, yeah, my mom watched it.
She loved the show. And then he was saying, oh yeah,
my little sister watched it. He was I don't, she's
like seven or something like that, she watched the show.
So I think at that point I kind of realized, like, oh, wow,
you know, all these different age groups are enjoying the show.
So and then I just heard more and more. It was,
you know, it's pretty crazy. Yeah. So when you originally audition,
(02:31):
how much did they share as far as the concept.
Did they keep it secretive or how does it explained
to you? Because I gotta imagine it's if you're if
they're telling you everything, it's got to feel a little
bit trippier. Yeah, yeah, totally. I didn't really get too
much info at first. I mean, I sent a tape in, um,
and then I sent the tape in. Yeah. So I
was living in Chicago at the time, so I sent
it in. Didn't hear anything for about two months for
(02:52):
your you know, onto the next one, just because you know,
just for a million things. But then I got a
little look book and I got the first script, which
kind of had changed, you know, it's a little different
at the time, read through the whole thing. Loved it.
I mean I love the script and everything. And the
look book was so cool. It was kind of this
combination of all these all these like a trailer that
they cut together, of all these clips from these movies,
(03:12):
you know, Jaws and kind of mashed up to give
it the feel and sort of kid so you can
get what they were going for in the show. And
I mean, yeah, it was great. I was so into it.
So wait, so you're living that's home, Chicago's home. Well,
you know, I'm kind of on the road as of right,
is there we're from No, I'm actually from outside of Boston,
a little bit north of the city. Okay, well we
do in Chicago. I went to school in Chicago. I
(03:34):
went to DePaul University. Okay, And uh so you were
you were still in school, still auditioning acting and stuff.
And then is this the first show of this like
a big show that you really booked? Yeah, yeah, I did, Like, um,
I graduated two thousand and fourteen and kind of, you know,
just work on a restaurant and uh doing the commercials
and did a little bit on the Chicago fire and
(03:55):
uh stuff like they're just like you know shows, the
film in Chicago, got a little bit part staying things
and then a few Yeah I booked this and just
look at this, jumped out of my pants. Yeah. And
so now school, did you graduate? Did you manage it?
I did graduate? You got that you're making a move
now you're living out here. Yeah, I mean I've been
sleeping on friends couches and stuff, checking out. It's great
(04:15):
because I kind of have the benefit of being able
to check out multiple neighborhood Yeah, check it out right
and get and get settled in. So when the series
started I heard that initially you had a sort of
like a minor role, but then they ended up kind
of writing in clearly they were fans and and ended
up being what it was. So did you know the
entire plot up front or were you discovering things script
by script? Sure? Yeah, we read um so I read
(04:36):
the first script before I got the thing, and then
when we got there for the read through, I read
the first uh six we sat down as a cast,
like sat down at the table. Netflix executives went on
a rider over there, like, you know, obviously nervous read
the first six scripts and then um, the last two
we didn't get until later on in shooting, probably until
we were about shooting the episode five and six, so
(04:58):
we kind of knew what was going on, but there
were changes being made along the way, and um uh yeah,
I mean I was just as surprised as everyone else
when I when I read the original turn at the
end of the show, I was, you know, obviously excited,
and because going out, I kind of set a goal
for myself that I just didn't want to make this
dude a total just a total meat head or a
total someone that you couldn't sympathize sympathize with, you know,
(05:21):
right now you ended up being and then I mean
you took that whooping like a man, and then you
came back and then's like, okay, you want you want
everyone over right, yeah, which was really cool thanks to
the Duffer brothers. Really, well, let's talking about those guys,
because this is so the Duffer brothers are they directing
at the same time writing young guys or young guys
are like I don't know, thirty years old, really, I
(05:43):
don't know they are. They're a machine. So they're twins
and it's kind of like perfect twins. Yeah, it's this
perfect series of checks and balances where they'll be writing
the show. They'll they'll they'll you know, lock themselves up
in their in their apartment and they'll just right and
right and right and right and right and right and
right and right and right, and then they'll them out
and they'll have these great scripts that they've just been
working on. Then on you know, they on the day
when we're shooting. They actually have a a really solid
(06:05):
idea of what they want, but it doesn't kind of
inhibit anyone else's creative choices. They kind of taken a
consideration everything that everybody wants, yeah, put in for the show.
But you know, if they have like a certain strong idea,
they'll put the foot down for sure. But I mean
it's just it was such a nice creative process. These
guys are like so so so smart and and their
first venture into uh television in this room, right, And
(06:29):
I mean I think they had written a couple of
episodes um Wayward Pines, but everything as far as being
showrunners and everything, I know, it was like the first
thing and they feel so spoiled. My first thing was
with these like, you know, prolific dudes rock that's cool man.
Now there's a theory online that your character on Stranger
Things is the father of of John Ralphael Wreck. What
(06:53):
do you think about that? That That can only be rumors
like that are good things. Yeah, Oh my gosh. I'm
a huge Parks and Wrecks fan. So when I found
out that people thought that I was Done Ralphiel's dad,
it was just a flattering. As John Ralphiel would say,
it's amazing. Yeah, all right, don't want to put you
on the spot. Quick rush book answers. All right, let's
do it. Go to karaoke song. Um, let's say together,
(07:20):
loving your book? What's that song at al Green song? Oh,
let's say together. Let's say I heard that version. But
I like that favorite horror film probably The Thing. It's
a good one. Yes, Kurt Russell back in the day,
celebrity crush growing up. M Oh, that's an easy one.
(07:42):
Kate Hudson, almost famous. I saw that and was like, yeah,
oh my gosh, still hot, still very hot. Time travel
destination mm hmm mm hmmm. Have you like like Paris
and the like? The like the twenties, maybe hanging out
with Hemmingway or something like that ego. It sounds like,
(08:03):
sounds kind of fun. Who plays you in your life story?
Um fin wolf Heart from our show? He plays Mike
play He'll play me. Nice. How long did it take
you to fix your wig in the morning, you know,
on a good day, about three hours? Yeah, it's well
worth well worth the time. Well, Stranger Things is streaming
(08:26):
right now on Netflix. You can follow Joe carry at
Uncle Underscore, Jesse, that's two Z's on Instagram, Little pantomastaple
House or yeah it's about Yeah, big fans appreciate that. Nice. Well,
thanks for stopping man, Thanks for having me man, and
again in honor of Stranger Things, Heason three dropping. We
are digging into the archives and listening back to some
(08:48):
of the interviews I had with some of the Stranger
Things cast members. Up next, Caleb McLaughlin. Now, Caleb plays
Lucas on the show, and he stopped by after season
two premiers. So actor Caleb McLaughlin, what's going on, man,
How are you doing good? Buddy? Thanks for taking the
time to come, big fan of yours, you do some
great work out there. I saw you on the Golden
(09:10):
Globes red carpet for like I half a second, we
get a chance to wrap out. You do the after
party thing? Yes, yeah I didn't. I try to go
to some after parties, but I that'signated myself to go
to the Netflix one. Well that's smart, right choice. But
how do you now? I'm sixteen, so you still gotta
have a curfew, right, Yes, of course I do. But
(09:31):
then curfew right now? Right now? I think what you mean?
You think you don't know? I don't know. It depends
on the day. Also, I'm homeschooled, so it's just easy
for me to just like, you still got to be
home at a certain time. You don't know what you mean? Well,
like I would say actual, like at home as his
(09:52):
dad question, like what's my bedtime? Yeah, like a floating curve,
that's time. But like the latest smile man that I'm
at home maybe one. But then I say it because
(10:13):
I'm just so energized. Yeah, so wait a minute, you're sixteen.
You just turn sixteen not too long ago? Thank you?
Are you driving yet or no? Close to driving? Um?
Who's wanted to drive? Now I'm sixteen, I'm like, okay,
I can take my time, take it, could drive actually
get my permit. Yeah, you gotta get the where you
from originally New York? Okay, so we're in New York. Okay,
(10:35):
what do you need a car? And yeah, I know
I do not like yeah, unless you're like in the
city and stuff. I remember when I was sixteen, I
could while I was actually fifteen and I had a
permit and I was driving, which is like, which is absurd,
by the way, looking back on the way I was
and being fifteen. You shouldn't have any fifteen year old
on the road. And I'm like that, dad, now okay,
And I shouldn't wait to get behind them the wheel. Now,
(10:56):
it is the thing I dread the most. Really, Yes,
if I can have one, work would be to have
a driver, right, Hey, man, you were great in that
before we get into Stranger Things in the new edition. Yeah,
that was a lot of fun. Where did you You
didn't play Bob, you played who did you played? Ricky? Right? Yeah,
Ricky Bell? That was great, man. That wasn't have been
a lot of fun for you and historical experience because
(11:22):
I got to be a new addition and then I
got to tell their story. Yeah, and and you really sing,
you really sing it. You can blow right there. Um.
That's the one thing I love about the cast to
getting to know you guys now, is that there's some talent.
There's some talent there. I mean, y'all sang, you gay
mill y'all sang and dance and obviously acts, so not
(11:44):
like just a bunch of spoiled kids that are there
doing the show. You know, you're you're putting in your
time right there. Do other actors, um that you're a
fan of. Have they been coming up to and say, hey, man,
I'm fatting your show and I watching and stuff. But
I cou surprised you the most. The recent one was
Drake Drake Yeah, oh that's right, you guys. But you
guys posted pictures. Yeah yeah, really post picture I know. Yeah,
(12:07):
that was that was crazy. I walked into the Netflix party,
I saw him sitting down. I was walking towards him.
He got up and started walking towards me, and I'm
like wow, and he's like, man, I'm a fan of
your show. You're inspiring. And uh, He's like I just
wanted to let you know, just keep doing it. And
I'm like, wow, he gave me a big hug, and
it was like a really nice hug. Yeah, he's a
(12:27):
really nice guy, really nice guys. Great you should you
should have been like, oh, great man, what's your name?
Epic comeback? Yeah? What? What? What? What? Good luck to
you too. Okay, So what can you tell us about
season three of Stranger Things? Because they're very secretive obviously
(12:48):
do you even know what's going on yet? I do.
It's very strategic because there's so much to it. But um,
what was your question again? I come, Oh my god,
if you could tease us as any think you know
what's going on? Yeah, because then let's talk about when
we last left off. You were you were macking on
that cute little redhead girl right at the dance. That
was a great little scene that she's cute, she's yeah,
(13:11):
she's pretty, she's what's her name? Her name is Cey?
Is it? Okay? You little smile on your face. So
that's that little part of the job right there. And
everything was kind of all right, right, and everyone everybody
was in the dance and and you've just gotten back
and but they kind of like alluded to what's that
big the devic Gorgan right kind of in the in
(13:31):
the sky like he's no, that was like the shadows.
Shadow Monster was like the big Daddy. It was underneath
and it was underneath, yes, but the big Daddy, right,
the little thing, So you can't kill that dude, right, Well,
I don't know. We don't find out. Don't be slick,
don't try to. I know that where it's going to
be taking place and stuff, just like the whole plot basically.
But they were like, well, I think, but I can't say,
(13:58):
got it? Where do you shoot the show? Actually? Um,
where do I shoot the show? Atlanta? When you had
that kissing saying, did you rehearse a lot of you
just dove in? No? I think I rehearsed for myself
because you kissing mirrors or what? No, because when we
when we uh to be honest with you, I was
(14:20):
like actually in the mirror like at my house and like,
now let me just let it happen. But there we
she actually came in like a hundred times, and the
Devil was like what are you doing? She's like I
thought you said go, but I think I'm a pro
now because I don't know. But did you hook up
the altoids and like do a little gargo right before
or no, I actually did. I actually had some listerine.
(14:42):
It was like I didn't want and then also I
got a lit mom so I wouldn't be chapped. There
you go, that's a good movie because you never want
going back and that no, no, no, the little girl,
the actress who played your sister, you sister, Yeah, yeah,
I know. People love that. It's so funny. She was funny. Man,
(15:04):
it was funny. So let's talk about this new animated
show congrats on that. Space is the name of it.
What can you tell us about it? Well, I'm gonna
be playing young Gary. He's the main character, and he
goes through all these adventures in space and he has
this uh um, what's you wanna call it? Wow spaceship?
Yeah well no, no, but like it's just it's just
he going. He he's in, he's a space, a lot
(15:27):
of adventures. He has his friends and stuff, and his
father passed away at one point and now he's just
like figuring out life. And where can we see that
at that? You can find that on TBS. And and
how did you get into this business? Caleb? Um? How
do I get into my sister? Actually? Introduced introduced it
(15:47):
to me. My little sister. The little sister was into
it prior to you. Yeah. We started at community theater
in our hometown called Pipe Piper, and she didn't want
to do by herself. So she was like, come on, dude,
with me. I don't want to do it by myself.
So I was like, okay, I'll do it with you.
And then from there you uh you got an agent
and not not right there, not exactly. I it took
(16:08):
me a while to like say I want to pursue
my career in acting. Um, we've done a few plays
at that time. And then my parents took me to
go see Lion King on Broadway and I was like, wow, Simba, Simba,
I want to be Simba. And they were like, okay,
you can do it. And I'm like all right. I
wasn't even thinking about acting. I was like that kids
having so much fun on stage. It looks it was
(16:31):
on Broadway. And uh a year later, I auditioned and
I booked it. I didn't realize how much of a
blessing it was just audition one time in booking. Yeah, yeah,
that's like lottery. Yeah I know. So I auditioned, I
got it and then probably six months in performing. I
was like, I want to pursue my career in acting.
(16:51):
And that's when my parents were all, let's get an agent.
And did you stay doing the show as well? Or
did you stay continue with doing the two for two years?
Two years? And I've known a few u uh starring
role guest starring roles on TV shows? Yeah, Broadway? Yeah?
And is it just you and your sister, brothers and sisters.
I have other brothers and sisters. I have an older
(17:11):
sister and older brother and Corey. Are they all performers
or they are? They could perform, definitely, They're very talented,
But that that wasn't their calling, right, got it? That's cool?
Mom and dad were they into it? Yes? Yes, so
my dad the professional classical opera singer. Is that right?
Look at that? Dad with the pipes? Look at that? Okay.
(17:33):
So it's a genetic thing. And then my mom she
went to school for performing arts as well. Oh look
at that. Nice Okay. So it wasn't like something you
just just like, oh my gosh, you could sing? Yeah. Yeah,
And then it just came to me it wasn't. They
didn't force it on. That's the thing I was I
wanted to be so many other things, right, I wanted
to be a bodybuilder. I wanted to be a rock
(17:54):
and roll singer like the spiky hair. Yeah, I wanted
to be a basketball players. So it just came to me.
Nice man, nice, And you got anyone special in your life?
You got a girlfriend or you know? No I don't,
but I feel like it's gonna happen soon. But you
have stuff, my desire, my desire. Yes, you got nothing
(18:14):
but time, have fun, focus on on on doing good work.
The rest will come right there. So, um, are you
big on social media? I mean I like you? What
you mean? Like, are you do you like doing it
a lot? Because I know, I know I see your
post and stuff. Are you into it? I have to
keep the fans entertained, but like, it's not that I
have to, I don't feel like it. It's because I
(18:37):
want to just bring positivity in the world, like you
know my uh hashtag and brace your face be your
biggest fan. Embrace your face, Yes, and brace your face
to be your biggest fan. Be your biggest fan. That's
your face. Started off, I had a really bad acting
day on set and I put people removing on and
I was just having a great day mom, meet my mom,
and I came from set and we're going into public.
She's like, you're gonna go in public with all that?
(18:58):
People will move on your face. I'm like, what's the
matter with it? It's just like, okay, it's fine. I'm like, wow,
people really like to have this, like they don't really
people care about how people look at them. And I'm like,
all right, I'm gonna just going live and tell people
just to embrace their face and this is the process
you're gonna have to grow there. And I was like,
(19:20):
you know what, guys, just snapshot this and tag me
in it and make a collage your face in my face.
And then it just became more bigger than embrace your face,
and it it went to be your biggest fan as well.
Because people have low self esteem and people always put
people down all the time. And I was like, you're
(19:40):
not perfect. Everyone's not perfect. So I'm here to just
let you know that I'm not perfect as well, and
we could embrace ourselves together. I love it. Positivity. Good
for you, man, good for you. Um Before I let
you go, I want to put you on the spot.
Quick questions, quick answers. All right, current song obsession? Oh,
I would a crap? Oh my gosh, it's okay. What
(20:05):
has been playing in the radio lately? Song? Can you
not get out of your head right now? Like? What?
What's what's like your go to jam right now? Crap?
I want to say it. I'm trying to think. It's
been a lot of songs. Okay, I would say, um,
Kendrick Omar Love has been playing? What were you struggling with?
What was the other one? I'm trying to think. I
(20:25):
feel like he was like some I think it was
like cardiv song or something. Okay, nothing wrong with that. Yeah, no,
there's nothing wrong with I'm just trying to think, like,
which song was it? Because it was a lot of
songs that have been playing. Doesn't stay off the radio? Yeah?
Last movie you saw in theaters? Oh? The last movie
I saw? Jumanji? Did you like it? I loved it?
(20:46):
I really liked it because I was like, how are
they going to make it into like a video game?
And I liked how the transition of that. Kids like
Jumanji could do its own thing right. Yeah? What's your nickname?
Growing up? Oh? Mr? Brown? Why? Because I had Ashley
Knees who named you Mr Brown my grandmother because I
(21:09):
had like the brain boots and yeah yeah, um like
really high shorts and I just would wear all these
different colors and stuff. And then I had Ashley Knees
like Mr Brown from Meet the Browns. Tyler Perry's Yeah,
that could be my new favorite nickname. What superpower would
you like? Oh, what's superpower? I would say super strength
(21:33):
and healing? Yeah, a little greedy, now one super heal people,
or you're strong with one power? I would probably can
I pick a superhero, a superhero compasses. Maybe you heal
people and then try just to like become a body
(21:55):
heal people and work out, heal people, work he people,
help people and work out. Yeah yeah, all right, well listen,
Mr Brown, welcome here anytime to see you. And meanwhile,
you can watch Stranger Things on Netflix and follow them
on Twitter at Caleb McLachlin. Thanks for stoping by, Thank
you appreciate it. Crazy, So don't forget a new episodes
(22:19):
and listen to Mario Dropping every Friday all on Mario
dot com to catch up on the podcast, and please
make sure you follow listen to Mario on I Heart
Radio and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get
podcasts more fun next week. Thank you so much for listening.
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