In this episode of Byte, Anthony Zooms with George Hawkins, one of the breakout stars of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Known for his charismatic portrayal of a bold, swagger‑heavy cadet, Hawkins opens up about the layers beneath the bravado, the emotional core of his character’s friendship with Jay-Den, and the pivotal storyline involving his leadership failure against the War College.

🎭 Bravado or Burden?

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In this episode, we journey into the emotional and cultural core of the Ms. Marvel universe with acclaimed Pakistani actor Mehwish Hayat, who brings to life the pivotal character Aisha, Kamala Khan’s great‑grandmother and the keeper of a legacy that shapes a superhero.

Aisha is more than a figure from the past—she is the spark that ignites Kamala’s understanding of identity, ancestry, and power. Through Hayat’s performance, the series bridges generations, continents, and histories, grounding a Marvel story in the lived experiences of migration, Partition, and family mythology.

Aisha’s story is a reminder that the extraordinary often begins with the ordinary—mothers, daughters, and the threads of memory that bind them. Her presence in Ms. Marvel reframes heroism as something inherited, lived, and passed down, not just discovered.

A celebrated star of Pakistani cinema and television, Hayat brings depth, nuance, and emotional clarity to every role. Her portrayal of Aisha adds a rare tenderness to the Marvel canon—one rooted in history, identity, and the quiet bravery of women whose stories often go untold.

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For this episode, we open the time capsule to a spirited and unforgettable roundtable recorded at New York Comic Con, where the one and only Adam West sat down to reflect on stepping back into the cape for The Return of the Caped Crusaders.

Decades after defining Batman for an entire generation, West embraced the chance to revisit the character who made him a global icon. The animated film reunited him with Burt Ward and Julie Newmar, rekindling the bright, mischievous, and delightfully earnest energy of the 1966 series — a tone that still stands apart in the superhero landscape.

Beloved for his iconic portrayal of Batman, Adam West brought a singular blend of comedic timing, earnestness, and charisma to the role. The Return of the Caped Crusaders stands as a celebration of his legacy and a final salute to the version of Batman that taught the world how fun a hero could be.

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On Rewind, a sit down with filmmaker, writer, podcaster, and pop‑culture ambassador Kevin Smith to revisit the creation and legacy of his AMC reality series Comic Book Men. Running from 2012 to 2018, the show became a celebration of fandom, friendship, and the magic of the local comic shop — all rooted in Kevin’s real‑life store, Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash in Red Bank, New Jersey.

Recorded at San Diego Comic-Con, this conversation captures Kevin at his most candid and enthusiastic as he reflects on how a simple idea — turning the everyday life of his comic shop into a TV series — became a six‑season phenomenon.

Before it became Comic Book Men, the series was originally titled Secret Stash, named after Kevin’s beloved shop. It was a natural fit: Kevin owned the store, the staff were characters in their own right, and the world of comics was exploding into mainstream culture.

The timing was perfect. AMC wanted a companion series to follow The Walking Dead, and Kevin’s blend of geek culture, humor, and heart made the Stash the ideal setting.

• Premiered: 2012

• Original Title: Secret Stash

• Final Title: Comic Book Men

• Format Evolution:

  • Season 1: Six one‑hour episodes

  • Season 2: Expanded to sixteen half‑hour episodes

• Total Run: Six seasons

• Season 7: Confirmed in 2018 but ultimately cancelled before production

Across its run, the show blended Pawn Stars‑style collectibles, comic book history, fan culture, and the unmistakable chemistry of Kevin’s longtime friends and Stash staff — Walt Flanagan, Bryan Johnson, Mike Zapcic, and Ming Chen.

In this episode, a sit down with acclaimed costume designer Natalie Bronfman, whose work spans some of the most visually striking and emotionally charged productions of the last decade. From the dystopian iconography of The Handmaid’s Tale, to the tactile, world‑building detail of See Season Two, to the stylized tension of the recent Psycho Killer, Bronfman’s designs reveal a deep understanding of character, culture, and the power of clothing to shape story.

Our conversation was recorded a few years ago at San Diego Comic-Con, where Natalie reflected on the winding, hands-on journey that led her to become one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary costume design.

Natalie’s path into costume design wasn’t linear — and that’s part of what makes her work so layered. She learned the craft from the ground up, absorbing everything from textile knowledge to tailoring, from historical research to the psychology of color and silhouette. That breadth of experience informs her ability to design costumes that feel lived-in, symbolic, and emotionally resonant.

Her credits include:

• The Handmaid’s Tale — redefining modern dystopian costuming with garments that became global cultural symbols

• See (Season Two) — crafting a tactile, post-apocalyptic world built around blindness, texture, and survival

• Psycho Killer — bringing a sharp, stylized edge to a contemporary thriller

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Tony Tellado chatted with actor, director, and now novelist Lou Diamond Phillips to explore the sweeping sci‑fi epic at the heart of his book Tinderbox: Soldier of Indira.

At the center of this universe is Everson, a young man who never wanted to be a soldier but was forced into service by his parents. His very first battle goes catastrophically wrong, leaving him stranded on an enemy world where every step could be his last. What follows is a journey of survival, identity, and destiny.

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Audio courtesy of 20th Century Fox

For this special Byte episode, from the red carpet at Beyond Fest, one of the world’s most beloved celebrations of genre cinema. From breakout performers to the creative minds shaping the look, feel, and sound of the films, this episode captures the pulse of a festival where horror, sci‑fi, and bold storytelling reign.

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Audio courtesy of Starz

In this special episode of Byte, Tony brings together the cast of Outlander for a heartfelt, spirited, and often hilarious conversation as they answer fan questions and reflect on the journey to their final season. This isn’t just a press stop — it’s a gathering of a family looking back on a decade of storytelling, connection, and time‑bending adventure.

• Sam Heughan — Jamie Fraser

• Caitríona Balfe — Claire Fraser

• Sophie Skelton — Brianna Fraser

• Richard Rankin — Roger MacKenzie

• John Bell — Young Ian

• David Berry — Lord John Grey

• Charles VanderVaart — William Ransom

• Izzy Meikle‑Small — Rachel Hunter

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