#151 BJ Tanner Is Taking The Orville to Station 19 then to Grey’s Anatomy

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Jeff Dwoskin 0:31

All right, Claire, thank you so much for that amazing introduction. You get this show going each and every week, and this week was no exception. Welcome, everybody to Episode 151 of classic conversations. As always, I'm your host, Jeff Dwoskin. Welcome back for another out of this world episode. That's right. We're taking the classic this space. My guest is B J. Tanner. That's right. Marcus Finn from the Orville is here. BJ called into the show while cruising around the galaxy in the Orville and he's got stories to share. You know BJ Tanner because he's like on every show. Right now. He's on the Orville. He's reoccurring on station 19. He's reoccurring on Grey's Anatomy. He plays talk on both those shows. You've seen him on Lethal Weapon ballers, Sam and Cat BJ is everywhere. And by everywhere. I mean, also here at Classic conversations, and that interview is coming up in just a few seconds.

Jeff Dwoskin 1:42

And in these few seconds. I want to remind you episode 150 My 150th episode just aired recently with Gary Kroeger. We dive deep into the Saturday Night Live of the 80s You're gonna love that episode. If you haven't already heard it. Also, BJ Tanner marks my second the Oroville interview, Peter Macon also on the show. Of course Peter plays Bortus and he was on episode 144. So if you can't get enough Orville check out Peter after the interview is over with BJ Tanner.

Jeff Dwoskin 2:21

All right. BJ Tanner at 18 years old has done so much. We talk about his MCU aspirations past work, current work on grade station 19 and the Orville and we go deep on the Orville and he shared some stories of all his classmates. You're gonna love it. And that's coming up right now. Enjoy.

Jeff Dwoskin 2:44

All right, everyone. My next guest you love in the Orville station 19 Grey's Anatomy. Welcome to the show. BJ Tanner. Whoa. Hey. BJ Tanner.

BJ Tanner 2:59

How you doing today, Mr. Jeff? Doing good.

Jeff Dwoskin 3:02

It's gonna take me a little bit to get used to you call me Mr. Jeff. But, but I'll be good with it. You're on an amazing career. And I'm excited to talk to you all about it. But I want to talk about probably one of the most important things in the world that I found on you. And that is your breakdancing video that your mom posted. On your big break about 910 years ago. Stellar loved every second of it.

BJ Tanner 3:31

Yeah, I think I can recall what you're talking about.

Jeff Dwoskin 3:36

Your big break on TV breakdancing? break dancer in the beginning. Did you do a lot of dancing?

BJ Tanner 3:42

Well, no, sir. That was like in the middle of my childhood career. My first thing that I've actually done was my first audition. Actually, it was a show called will to live. And I had to play a kid who found out his mother got killed, and I had to help the cops find out who is the murderer? That's pretty intense.

Jeff Dwoskin 4:00

Yeah, it is. How old were you?

BJ Tanner 4:02

I was seven years old when I did that. Seven years

Jeff Dwoskin 4:05

old and you're solving the murder your mom?

BJ Tanner 4:09

And it was based on a true story. Really? You sir.

Jeff Dwoskin 4:11

At seven? How much were you able to because you're 18 now? Yes, sir. Okay, so at seven. How much of that? Were you able to internalize how devastating this story was?

BJ Tanner 4:23

None of it? Sadly, because I haven't had my mother taken away from me.

Jeff Dwoskin 4:28

No, no, no, obviously. I just mean like being able to even like acted and stuff like that. That must have been

BJ Tanner 4:34

Oh, well. I mean, yeah, it is an intense role. But I was just fortunate having fun on set as a seven year old I was looking around having fun with the experience of it, figuring out something new. It was there something new that I could do and it was something really fun that I fell in love with

Jeff Dwoskin 4:48

what led to the audition. Were you in love with the idea of acting and then you fell in love with it more after well to live but what was it at that young age I kind of three in that direction.

BJ Tanner 4:58

So what happened was As when I was living in South Carolina, I told my mom that I wanted to draw Mickey ears and I had supportive parents who were like, Okay, let's do this. So my mom and dad ended up wanting to settle down anyway. So it was either between California and Atlanta. So we ended up moving to California and my mom had a picture of me that she sent out and manager picked it up. They called me in for an interview. I got my first manager, they sent me on my first audition. And that's how I got a will to live.

Jeff Dwoskin 5:27

That is really cool. Yes, sir. You just kept going on audition on an audition after that?

BJ Tanner 5:34

Yes, sir. And then after that, I just kept going out on auditions. I eventually became sag. And yeah, I'm here. That's that's how I got here.

Jeff Dwoskin 5:42

So I know one of your early ones also was Sam and Cat. So do you know Ariana Grande.

BJ Tanner 5:47

I don't know her. I wish I did. But I don't know her. I met her on set. She didn't let me sit on her lap. That's a moment I'll never forget. Oh. Yeah, but she was super sweet on set. And it felt like I knew her. She made her feel like she knew me was just something that was really cool.

Jeff Dwoskin 6:05

That's nice. Because sometimes sometimes when you're a guest right on a show, it can be hard. Yes, sir. Because you're just kind of coming in. You're coming in?

BJ Tanner 6:12

Yes, sir. But I made some new friends on that said she let me sit on her lap. I'll forever brag about that moment. She let me sit on her lap. He gave me a hug. So that Jeanette majority, I'm just saying but that was a really fun show to shoot

Jeff Dwoskin 6:26

awesome. What were some of the earlier shows you did before because I know eventually became your talk character became a regular on Grey's Anatomy in station 19. And before that, Always Sunny in Philadelphia, you certainly area show

BJ Tanner 6:39

it is. That's the funny story. So I forgot that I did that. And then one day somebody one of my cast members named Miss V from station it and she sent me a post of me on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, it was mini me who was scared of sea and how to say this guy has AIDS. I just had me cracking up because I genuinely looked scared because they didn't tell me that the water was going to be bleeding and, and that all that was gonna happen. So I was really scared in that moment. And I remember shooting that and her sending me that post reminded me

Jeff Dwoskin 7:11

of that. Oh, that's fine. You said you didn't remember being on the show. Do you? Sometimes just it's

BJ Tanner 7:16

not that I didn't remember being on the show. It was that I forgot what scene I shot on the show. So when I seen it that just made me Krakow because that was the first time I've seen it. Yeah. First time I see myself on. So It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Do you have brothers and sisters? I do have brothers and sisters. I have one sister and two brothers. Do they act at all? And I guess you can count. My dog has a brother too. That's what my parents say. My older brother is a college basketball player. My sister lives in Atlanta and my little brother does not act.

Jeff Dwoskin 7:47

Now. Does he want to see big brown? Nope. He used

BJ Tanner 7:51

to but he just fell out of love with it. So

Jeff Dwoskin 7:54

got it before Gray's and station and Orville like what was your favorite kind of show that you did before? I'll rattle off a few you can choose from ravens home ballers Lethal Weapon

BJ Tanner 8:07

Lethal Weapon because I got a lot of good advice on that show from the Wayne brothers.

Jeff Dwoskin 8:12

Right? What What kind of advice did they Damian Wayne's he,

BJ Tanner 8:16

he was telling me about how in the future, how to go about acting, creating my own content and creating this such a young age is good. Getting started in this business early is a really good thing to do. And you're doing the right thing. You're obviously on the right track if you're on this show at such a young age. And he was really just given me a lot of advice about how to continue and run my own content and created my own shows and stuff like that.

Jeff Dwoskin 8:38

He would know his family's a power. Definitely like each one of them is more talented than an x and that. That's really cool. Did you work with the rock on ballers?

BJ Tanner 8:48

I did work with a rock. You know, the rock has an aura about him. Like I was sitting down. I was sitting down with the secretary doing schoolwork with a whole bunch of other kids. And then all of a sudden this black SUV pulls up and then you just see the rock step out in his suit and just fling his blazer with some shades on and he keeps walking. He's like, Hey, everybody, and he's a huge guy in real life. That guy is big in real life. Like when I tell you he's big. He's bigger in real life that you see on TV. He's a big

Jeff Dwoskin 9:16

guy. It seems like then he would be the nicest guy.

BJ Tanner 9:18

Yes, sir. But he is the nicest guy. That's the thing. He seems like he has the sweetest heart and his aura is just really big. He just seemed really genuine and he's a really good guy.

Jeff Dwoskin 9:28

That's really cool. Mr. Oh, he's black Adam. He's gonna be black Adam and the DSR. He's

BJ Tanner 9:34

gonna be the DC character blackout.

Jeff Dwoskin 9:36

So I saw on your Twitter, not DC but Marvel your pin tweet on Twitter? Yeah. You're pitching to be miles what I said Miles Morales. You right about the right age for the character, right?

BJ Tanner 9:51

Yes, sir. I think Miles Morales is around my age. Yes, sir. I'm a little bit taller than he is. I am six foot by Uh, you know, I'm still gonna be waiting on that call because you know, that shouldn't stop me. I mean, Wolverine supposed to be five, three in the comics and the guy who plays with six three in real life six and the guy who plays him six to seven actor

Jeff Dwoskin 10:12

you can slouch Yeah, like a slouch Exactly.

BJ Tanner 10:16

So I'm still gonna be waiting on that call from Marvel on being the next mountain routers.

Jeff Dwoskin 10:20

I'm surprised they haven't and don't have full on plans to bring that character in because now they've kind of they've put the Peter Parker character in a place where they could or couldn't go in the end.

BJ Tanner 10:30

Yes, sir. They can go any route they want to it, whether they want to bring them in or don't. But you know what I feel like they will and I feel like I am gonna play Miles Morales. So watch me on that screen.

Jeff Dwoskin 10:40

You better I need I bet I always said the interview with Vijay. Yeah, my first MCU star. Do you have like publicists and stuff, they can actually kind of work to try and make this happen and kind of get into

BJ Tanner 10:54

don't have a publicist, we've been looking for a publicist, we've been looking for a PR my mom's just been doing it all her and my manager, Miss Marie, they just been doing everything. And I'm really thankful to have them. And God has really blessed me with these two because they've really been working with me. And my agents, too. They've been working to get me in

Jeff Dwoskin 11:11

between Shonda Rhimes and Seth MacFarlane. Somebody's got to know somebody for I know.

Jeff Dwoskin 11:23

Well, I think that'd be amazing. That would be cool. Because then you could do a Disney plus show and you could be in the movies,

BJ Tanner 11:30

huh? Yes, sir. I'm going for it. This is a roll that I really want. I mean, I want to tell you, I really want to I really want to,

Jeff Dwoskin 11:37

maybe you need to do one of those things where you kind of you cause play it and then shoot the film and then let it go viral. And then you know, they everyone sees it, and then they can't ignore it type thing.

BJ Tanner 11:47

That's what I need to do. But first, I need to find the Miles Morales costume.

Jeff Dwoskin 11:50

Hmm. All right. Well, we can I can't help you there. But you know. Seth MacFarlane has gotten to know so many they create my

BJ Tanner 12:01

Yes, sir. I know. I'm gonna get there one way or another. Because this is a roll that I really want. That I'm gonna get there one way or another and I'm gonna figure out how to get myself this audition.

Jeff Dwoskin 12:12

Alright, well, I hope they're at least planning it. In you, sir. Once into that spider verse was so popular. I can't believe they didn't like fast track.

BJ Tanner 12:20

I know. Because that was one of their most popular Spider Man's people were talking about how strong he was

Jeff Dwoskin 12:24

not only just most popular, it literally was probably one of the best Spider Man movies.

BJ Tanner 12:30

Really was it really well. And it was a cartoon. That's the most impressive thing. It was a cartoon and it was still one of their better movies.

Jeff Dwoskin 12:37

Yeah, it was stellar. It was stellar. I think they're making a sequel to that. I think they are. Alright, well, well, anything I can ever do. I will. I'm there for you. So you just let me know. Thank you. I'm all about it. I think that'd be perfect. Perfect. Thank you. Hey, we need to take a quick break. I want to thank everyone for their support of the sponsors. When you support the sponsors. You're supporting us here at Classic conversations. And that's how we keep the lights on. Now back to my amazing conversation with BJ Tanner. Thank you. Hi, any ravens Simone stories before we move on?

BJ Tanner 13:15

I don't really have any Raven Simone story. She's super nice on set. Most of the times I spent my time with the kids on set and we all hung out and shot our scenes together since I was only on there for one episode.

Jeff Dwoskin 13:27

Got it. And then school rocky did an episode. Did you know Jay Cogan? I think he was the showrunner for that. I don't know if he would have been around. No, sir.

BJ Tanner 13:35

I didn't I don't think but I do. But it was a fun show to shoot to

Jeff Dwoskin 13:40

look at me and a lot of cool stuff. Grey's Anatomy, this show has been on for a million years. And it's kind of an interesting thing. You Your character is on Grey's Anatomy and station 19. Same character. Yes, sir. I play tough on both shows. So I still talk on Grey's are you've kind of fully moved to station 19. At this point. I'm just going by the years on the IMD still

BJ Tanner 14:07

talk on Grace I just show up or more on station 90.

Jeff Dwoskin 14:11

When you walk around, outside, right, you're at the mall, whatever. What do people call you out for Grey's Anatomy, Grey's Anatomy,

BJ Tanner 14:20

most likely, sir. There'll be like, Oh, you took from Grey's Anatomy. My sister. I watch that all the time. Or, or me and my husband watch that all the time. They'll really know. See me from or actually Orville? I've gotten that a couple of times too.

Jeff Dwoskin 14:33

Because you're like three concurrent shows kind of at the same time. I know two of them. You probably go back and forth based on storylines. But is there anything that's pretty impressive, right? I mean, that's not normal. Right? I mean, our comment is it? No, I don't think so. No, it's amazing. But

BJ Tanner 14:48

you know, whenever I'm shooting station 19 Grey's Anatomy will usually call me out to to shoot within the same week since I'm already out there. So I'll be shooting those shows. While I'm out there at the same time.

Jeff Dwoskin 14:59

I don't watch Grey's so long so tell me a little bit about your character and just I know your your mom is Shandur Wilson's is okay. I think I remember cuz she was pregnant early on, so I must have been watching it back then I must have. But you weren't. You didn't play baby talk right? You were probably No sir.

BJ Tanner 15:15

No, sir. I got on Grey's Anatomy Season 30 Probably.

Jeff Dwoskin 15:19

Okay, I may have moved on by that. I've seen the clips. And I'd say I like your eyes off fun clip of view, which is where you were like 10 feet taller than her now, which I meant. Yes, sir. Just Oroville Season Two to New Horizons, you also because of the years a little bit, just tell me a little bit about grace. Tell me a little about station it just in terms of is the character in different types of situations on on the different shows? I know it's the same character, but like, how does that kind of play out?

BJ Tanner 15:55

Well, on Grey's Anatomy took is really just a sweet soul who's supporting is supporting just their their first father and his mother, because you know, they're going through a rough time, or not a rough time. But like, you know, being separated and all because the dad has to live in the fire station. My mother daughter, she's two at the hospital because COVID He was just he was just trying to be supportive. And then he was trying to help his adopt his newly adopted brother. He's trying to be there for his newly adopted brother. He's learning the ropes basically, about how to be a little brother, and also how to be your brother and how to be a good son at same time and on station. 19. Really, he's really the same character on both shows. So he's really still there being supportive for his father and still trying to be a good brother and he just got a new sister. So now he has to take that into and just learn how to be the good sibling that it needs to be.

Jeff Dwoskin 16:52

Maybe Shonda Rhimes will hear this and then you'll be bit by a radioactive spider and spin you off into your own. Hopefully, she can make it happen. She can make it happen. Oh, wait, there was one other show. I just wanted to ask Angel from hell. I know. You're like an episode of Jane Lynch.

BJ Tanner 17:12

Yes, sir. All right. So what happened was I shot a movie. It was at the end of the movie called late bloomers. That's us. And I was at the end of that movie. And I had so much fun on that set. And she remembered me from NASA. And she brought me on to angels from Hill. And basically she's like, oh, yeah, remember, this kid was the boss. So he decided to put me in the show. And that's how I got my scene and that show at the beginning of the show.

Jeff Dwoskin 17:36

That's really cool. Is there? It's all who you know. Yes, sir. How much commercial work you do. I found some commercials that you done, including Zion, a space commercial. The Walmart one would called the gift is that that one's got to tell me about tell me about.

BJ Tanner 17:53

So that one was actually played during the Oscars. They played a whole bunch of different Walmart commercials and seeing which one was the best one and that one was shot bought or Directed by Anton fuckwad. And that was a really fun commercial shoot, because I I got to, I guess you can say I got a early sneak peek on the Orville. I got to fly under a spaceship. I got to meet a cute baby. I got to run around ride scooters, it was a lot of fun. It was like a whole little adventure itself. And everybody's just so sweet on set. That was one of the best commercials I shot. That was one of the most fun commercials I shot. Let me tell you, and I don't know who ended up winning that competition. I'm gonna just say it was us because we had the best commercial overall. But you know,

Jeff Dwoskin 18:33

it was it was quite a commercial. I mean, I think this is a full on Close Encounters of the Third Kind level movie for Walmart. So it was based on receipt. Were they all based on a receipt? I think they were all based on receipt, sir. So yours was bananas, batteries, paper towels, Scooter, wrapping paper and a video baby monitor. And then they make this insanely cool commercial that BJ started for. Alright, so trivia or let's say a trivia question. Okay, let's what was the total on the receipt? Either with tax or pre tax? I'll accept either answer.

BJ Tanner 19:12

Okay, okay. Okay, let's see if it was a scooter. I'm guessing that was around 2340 bucks. Bananas. Somewhere around three $4 baby monitor somewhere around 10 bucks. What else was on there?

Jeff Dwoskin 19:27

The Nana's batteries paper towel batteries scooter?

BJ Tanner 19:31

Probably somewhere around I don't know I just never really bought batteries so I guess around $2

Jeff Dwoskin 19:37

ej has never been to an actual Walmart and bought anyway. You're coming in way low the like $264 with tax.

BJ Tanner 19:49

I'm gonna guess $264 of tax

Jeff Dwoskin 19:56

to funny and then kid cuisine commercial and again. Do you

BJ Tanner 20:00

remember that that one was also one of my one of my favorite commercial shoe? Because I got to meet Paul George on that one. And I got to play miniature him

Jeff Dwoskin 20:07

in the Gatorade. Yeah,

BJ Tanner 20:08

that was a really fun one. And I figured out I had a fun. We figured out we had the same birthday and everything they thought I snuck my way on set. Because everything was just too coincidental data is no more way on set and my mom had to settle everything out like No, no, no, he's supposed to me please younger, blase, blase. I ended up getting to play Paul George and 2k I lost. He also signed a basketball for me even though he wasn't supposed to sign anything. He signed the basketball for me which is really sleep and I got to take that home with me. He's really good guy. So he's really nice. And it turns out when when my brother went to practice in Palmdale, he remembered who I was, I don't know if he still remembers who I was who I am. But he did remember who I was after that. And that was really cool thing to think about that. Paul, George, remember who I was, especially as a big basketball fan.

Jeff Dwoskin 20:55

Oh, that's cool. So your brother was with Paul George's? Oh, I know your brother. Yes,

BJ Tanner 20:59

sir. Him and Metta World Peace because I shot the Millers with metal WAR PEACE, and his daughter diamond.

Jeff Dwoskin 21:05

Nice. That is, that is cool. And I. And then, of course, who could forget boy eating chicken nugget and the kid cuisine.

BJ Tanner 21:15

Oh, man, I made a friend on this. Remember that

Jeff Dwoskin 21:18

an entire generation of people now eat chicken nuggets? Because you inspire? Yes, sir.

BJ Tanner 21:21

Exactly. Transmitter.

Jeff Dwoskin 21:27

Talk to me how you got the role on the Orville. What was the audition process like and meeting sad? Well, becoming part of that family

BJ Tanner 21:37

when I auditioned for it? I knew separately from was of course, because I watched him we got even though I wasn't supposed to be because I started teaching. I did it anyway. Oh, when I was 13, they sent out an audition. And it was a self tape meaning I had to shoot it from home. So we went into my mom's room. And that's where I shot it. And I remember auditioning for it and doing all this. Ah acting Whatever. Hey, it was a fun thing to shoot. I didn't think that I would get booked for this. Basically what happened? Was this what Miss Penny told me when she got on set, she was asking Mr. Seth, if her kids were going to be black, or if they're going to be white or Asian, because you know, it's space instead in the future, so they could really be any race. And Mr. Seth was like, that's actually a really good question. So once you sit down to auditions, he saw me my audition in courses, archives audition, and he decided to pick us up and that's how I got on the show. And that's when I figured out like it was a real Seth MacFarlane show, because I didn't really know it was the second fire on the show until I actually booked it. And then ever since I've been on the Overland, it's been a wonderful experience. I absolutely love doing that show.

Jeff Dwoskin 22:41

However, it was one of my favorite favorite shows. I'm in kind of a Orville Penny is Miss Penny is very active in this group on Facebook. She posts every now and then it's as if people are so in tense with their discussions on all the episodes is a real love for the show. I've I've watched it on Fox. I was one of those people that waited waited waited when you told your friends like oh, I booked another series. You know, it's like it's a Seth MacFarlane. Like originally, it was more of a comedy parody. I think it's moved. Yes. It's evolved the way he

BJ Tanner 23:18

says move the assertion. Well, I remember the first person I told I was like, You can't tell anyone. It was this guy named steel Stevens I shot right hand guy with him, which was supposed to be a Disney show. I remember we were doing an event and we're walking next to each other. And I was telling him about the show that I got. I was like, yeah, it's the Seth MacFarlane shows shoots in space. The whole dude, this sounds really cool to say, but you can't tell anybody. I was like 13 at the time. I was like, bro, you can't tell anybody because nobody can know I have. I'm not supposed to say anything. But he said okay, okay, I got you. But that's the only person I told was him.

Jeff Dwoskin 23:50

So what's it like kind of having this new family over over a period of time? It's interesting, right? Because you build up TV moms, TV, dads, right TV brothers. Right. I talked to people that have been in shows, and they'll be like, Oh, I've got five TV wives. One day, one day, one day, you know, it's what is it? Like? Do you have a special bond with Penny and Kai when you're on set? Definitely. Because you guys the three of you do seem to form a really good bond and family unit when you're watching the show?

BJ Tanner 24:27

Yes, sir. Definitely. It's the bond between all of us goes beyond the show. It's like we're an actual family. Miss Penny is it she said this on our interview? She She mimics the parents and does what they would do. She wouldn't stray away from that so the kids can adapt her easier and better. And basically, she made it easy for us to work with her and our Bond went beyond that. So that's really like a second mom to me and guys really like my little brother. It really is about Mr. Mark is really like a second dad. Like the mom goes beyond just The family TV's like we're an actual family even offset because we can't do everything when it comes to the show. We do everything together

Jeff Dwoskin 25:07

as a you guys live near each other?

BJ Tanner 25:11

No, we don't because I live in Texas now. Okay, even when I lived in California, we didn't live next to each other, like 40 minutes away from me. Gotta go. It was like, we weren't just a family on TV, but off TV too. And it's just really hard for a mom like that to break.

Jeff Dwoskin 25:24

Well, how old? were you when you started working on the rfl?

BJ Tanner 25:27

I was 30 was that 13? Might have been 50 as 13 to 15 years

Jeff Dwoskin 25:31

old. Are you booked when you're 13? Maybe started?

BJ Tanner 25:33

Yes, I booked it. I probably booked on 13 session when I was 15.

Jeff Dwoskin 25:37

Okay, what type of advice does Penny give you? Or does she give you

BJ Tanner 25:41

fantastic advice, she'll she'll tell me how to make a scene more emotional, or how to make a scene more stable or make a scene pop out. And she'll give me certain advices that will fit the scene better in a certain situation than what I would definitely do. Compared to what I would do. And she'll really just make that seem seem a lot more realistic than a ninja would have came out to be. And she's she's just a wonderful woman to work with.

Jeff Dwoskin 26:03

She's an incredible actress. She really, she really is.

BJ Tanner 26:07

She really is.

Jeff Dwoskin 26:08

I mean, between all of you how you actually interact with Isaac would be a robot or Android, it would be the right way to call it. Sorry to interrupt this amazing conversation with BJ Tanner. But we have to take a quick break. And we're back with BJ Tanner. EJ was just about to reveal whether Isaac's an Android or robot so we can continue the conversation and we're back. I guess a robot. Okay, you know, just the way hurt. She's emotionally attached to it. You know, in season three, the anger you felt like it's for me to watch and vos season falling in love with the robot. It's and like, be like, Yeah, cool. This, this totally makes sense. I can buy like that. That's a great acting on both sides. Great writing all that kind of stuff.

BJ Tanner 26:55

Okay, with love with a robot.

Jeff Dwoskin 26:57

It's, it's an interesting Penny is she is they're all great. I mean, the whole cast is amazing. I had a question. Because you were so young. And I mean, Scott Grimes is older now. But he started as a much younger actor. He was in it much younger and and winters and who plays Charlie? She started very young. Also, do they ever kind of give you advice? You know, just having they have the perspective now of having been in the industry? Oh,

BJ Tanner 27:25

yes, sir. They definitely give me advice to like, miss, and she helped me out with the scene that we shot at the table. When I was asking her to help Isaac, she helped me make that scene a lot more emotional. Of course, I added my own spice by bringing the tears to my I had a lady blow my eye for that. Yes, she, they give great advice to and Mr. Scott will give it in a funny way. He's the absolute he's absolutely hilarious on set. Like, when I tell you this guy is funny in real life. He is hilarious in real life, like his character on the show is like him in real life. Mr. Scott is fantastic on and off screen too. And he gives great advice as well. Great

Jeff Dwoskin 28:03

to hear because his character is so funny. And so this season three, let's talk about electric sheep for a second opening saying because now the Orville has been in hiatus for a while now hiatus, but it was Season Two ended, they were gonna move to Hulu. They moved to Hulu COVID hat. So there's there's been a time gap in between season two, and season three, which is called New Horizons. So it opens with Electric Sheep after the Kaline attack and the war and you're pretty much the first beginning of this of the show, sir. It's your nice air. And when I was watching that, it's a real powerful performance. And they I harken back to something you had on your Facebook page most underrated actor on grades. But you aren't. You're amazing. Yeah, it was like, because Seth had to put a lot of trust and he must believe in you immensely to to give you that roll. I mean, that had to pull that off that whole opening where that very extensive nightmare. You're smacked up against the elevator and it's like, yes, there's a lot of emotion in there.

BJ Tanner 29:08

You sir. And he really was there to help me out during those scenes telling me what would work out better. You know, how to say certain things, certain things that I could do. For my performance. I have to shoot all my own stunts on that too. So everything that you see was 100% Real like when you see me karma around that corner fall, I really feel like I really did fall. I just kept running though. And that's the same that they ended up using and they look great. But everybody on that set is there for one another and there. They make it easy to run the show. They make it really easy. They're all there for great advice. They're all there for silly tombola it's time to get serious it's time to get serious when it's time to act. We need to buckle down you know, and that's exactly what we do. I know it took a while for the show to come out but they were moving fast like this show really are full of professionals and great guys. You can really get it done. Oh, yeah,

Jeff Dwoskin 30:01

I was like you, sir. Didn't help me. Yes, sir. But this opening episode of season three of the New Horizons season deals with suicide loss. And you know, you confront Isaiah, you tell him you wish he was dead, and He kills himself. And that's a pretty intense storyline. I mean, I know you just talked about the scene with Charlie that she helped you throw where you ask her because she has an ability that can help reconstruct his and bring him back. But I mean, the writing on this is, I mean, between tail to toe buzz and the original episodes dealing with Topanga and this and you had a great episode where it was you Penny Kai and Isaac into the fold? I think that was season one. You guys are crashing, you go on vacation. You crash landed on that planet?

BJ Tanner 30:50

Yes, sir. It just,

Jeff Dwoskin 30:52

there's, it's a lot. It's a lot of really great stuff is, uh, how did Seth come to the cast and explain the tonal shift for three?

BJ Tanner 30:59

Well, basically, he decided to make it all like, as you can see, they're all their own mini movies. And that's what I feel like captivates people that I feel that brings everybody in and draws them in. Because if they're all their own mini movies, they all have their own stories. Each individual person can have their own story, like mine was electro shaped for Topo. It was two turbos. And for Mr. Scott, time traveling, as you can see, he made it all into many movies that will draw people in and this season really shifted the game for the Orville because, you know, is a great season, it's probably is definitely the best season that we shot. And all the episodes are really greatly written. And Mr. Seth, he did a great job with the directing. And they really just made it easy on set, as I said before, but they really just decided to shift the tone because we needed he decided that we really needed to step it up, I guess, this season. But I'm gonna let your seat behind that meaning, it was a really powerful message. Because this is something that goes on in real life, this is something that can be prevented. And I guess that's the beautiful message that they're trying to display through the Orville story on that first episode. And basically, it's a really true thing that happens, people go tell people to, it's sad, but go die all the time. And it's something that's really sad to hear. And they really decided to display this message through the Orville, which is a great thing. It was a beautiful message.

Jeff Dwoskin 32:24

It was beautiful. It's it's extremely powerful. There has been there's been powerful episodes throughout all three seasons. Yes, sir. Definitely. And but yeah, electric sheep was it was it was interesting to be able to show both sides because Isaac kills himself. But because he has a robot, you're able to bring it back. So you can kind of show both sides, you can see how you robbed somebody where they can take their own life. But then, in this particular example, which isn't something that can happen in real life with humans, but in this particular case, they were able to bring Isaac back so you can see, you know why? And how devastating this can be sort of what you lose, because you do something like that? Sure. It was a great showcase of your talent. I mean, it's been, I mean, this particular episode was stellar. So

BJ Tanner 33:16

I believe it was great, too, because everybody wishes they can bring their loved one back. And that's just sadly, something they can do in is the damage that's already been done and dealt with. And they don't see the people don't really see what they're missing until they're really missing out on something devastating that we really have to see in real life.

Jeff Dwoskin 33:33

Yeah, absolutely. I think the Charlie Berg character, I think it was a great introduction, it's important to kind of show that the point of view that someone you know, the hate that you can have and, and her journey and the evolution that she's been having with throughout the season has been great as well. Sometimes it's hard to watch her because you realize, oh, that's me, I would have been that. But I don't want to see you hold the hate and yourself. You get mad at people. When you should see someone else do it. You're like, why are they doing that? But it's like, I think it's more of a self reaction. Yeah. It was a great ending of that show, too, because you confront Isaac, but you don't say anything. It's all it's all done with your face acting with your facial expression. So very, very powerful. I've one thing that I found was funny while they are Seth MacFarlane seems to be great at this and all the writing staff is kind of weaving things in from one of the things that I thought was funny. In this episode, the electric sheep, though, the topic we discussed obviously isn't funny, but at one point you yell at your brother chi tie to but his video turned off. And so that was the actual opposite dynamic from the earlier episode into the fold where you were obsessed with the video game as they were I just it was like, it's always like little subtle details that I think are so funny. And so good. So it's, it's cool. So very cool. Did you Never get to meet nor McDonald Yaphet.

BJ Tanner 35:02

Yes, sir. I have I got to meet him a couple times at the table read and he's a really nice guy. The rest in peace. Yeah, recipes. Oh, he was a really nice guy in real life. He was a fantastic actor as well. I mean, even though he wasn't seen on camera, you still make the facial expressions that you feel that your foot will make, so it'll make it easier even though we wouldn't see him at the table. He really would. Because we wouldn't see him on set. It was like acting with nothing in front of you. Except that No, which is kind of hard.

Jeff Dwoskin 35:25

But yeah, he's just got that voice and rhythm that that makes the character so funny and you're totally totally into it. Is there it was interesting because I hadn't watched season one and season two for a while right and then I said watch season three loved it heard everyone's saying, Oh, the comedies called totally different. They approached it differently. When I was watching the new season I was like, I was digging it it just it felt right. But when I went back and watch episodes from season one and two, the comedy was very very different. I love how they evolved it I think well I think it's more more natural now it's actually yes sir. And it's you know, it's and it is to me subtly finding or just kind of working something and like it's it's more realistic even now. What other you have any cool stories from the set you can share? Like funny things happen i i have

BJ Tanner 36:16

plenty of stories that I could share a million of them. Okay, we made a whole workout video mankind made a whole workout video and Mr. J Lee. It was a really random thing we just we went outside one day and we saw him working out and he was recording his us listing jokes. And I was like, Oh, let me happen this so we started recording this workout video and next thing you know, we see here saying that you can sell it for $999.99 on his account and then I used to just me and I just used to play around on set all the time I will give him piggyback rides will run around set just having fun with the aliens Kai was actually scared the aliens in episode two of season three, right? He's actually scared of those aliens. We both were we didn't want to get near them. But we ended up taking a picture with him.

Jeff Dwoskin 37:00

They were kind of freaky. They were kind of spider humans.

BJ Tanner 37:04

Way too good. It looks pleasurable to wouldn't be around.

Jeff Dwoskin 37:08

I'm scared of like a little spider like a half inch wide is like you know anyway, let alone like a whole spider human type character.

BJ Tanner 37:18

Those things would not be not good to be around. We did not want to be around those things. So there was also the time where I'm sorry to expose you. I don't want to expose you but this one of the most hilarious things that happened on set. We were going over a scene one day it was a shot we were shooting and seeing and Miss Penny said our line and Chi forgot his line. So he's just sitting there staring into space and left so you know we just hear a big fart. Just gotta just still sit here like he doesn't know what's going on. And that was like, that was one of the funniest things that happened on set. Mr. Seth, he would always do Family Guy in person is on set. You know? When he just does sometimes, he'll randomly but sometimes we'll ask him to do Stewie Griffin. Brian is actually his natural voice. He'll do Peter Griffin. It is random. We do a family guy who purchases on set. Mr. Scott Grimes is always cracking jokes. There are a million stories that I can tell you. Tom where I tried to teach Miss Penny to dance.

Jeff Dwoskin 38:12

What about Jessica? Sorry,

BJ Tanner 38:14

Miss Jessica is absolutely wonderful. Oh my gosh. You know, she's always sleeping on set. She's all whenever she can. She's napping on set, and she'll find a comfortable place to do it too. I have no idea how she makes the most comfortable situations out of the most uncomfortable but she'll She'll figure out how to work it but she's always on set.

Jeff Dwoskin 38:34

That's so funny. And then who else? Oh, all right, Adrian.

BJ Tanner 38:37

Miss Adrienne, she she's like always working out on set. You look up and she's doing a mile around the set. She'll come back look at her watch. Another one ago, she'll walk another mile. She has a lot of stamina, I guess because she has a lot of stamina, right? She's real fitness is really important to her, which is a really good thing she wants to workout on set. So when you look up she's always working out on our breaks or eating something healthy, which is a good thing to do. I couldn't keep up with her if I try.

Jeff Dwoskin 39:08

She was a badass on agents is she is oh yes sir and, and on this client and comes at her and she just kind of takes her against the wall. I mean, yeah, I mean, that's pretty cool. Pretty cool. She was almost Wonder Woman. Yes, sir. Yeah, sure if he was so that's cool. That's cool. So alright, so it sounds like you have like the greatest time ever on this. Oh, what about Peter Macon or Chad?

BJ Tanner 39:33

He ended up becoming friends with my father, Peter, my my dad. And my dad ended up becoming friends next to you and other exchanged phone numbers and he's trying to visit us in Texas and I hope he can come visit us and take service Peter, if you're seeing this because he lives in Atlanta. If you see this and you come down to Texas come visit us because we're still waiting on it. But he he's always FaceTiming his son on set. So he's always baby talking with us. Honestly, I don't know how he balances it because he's balanced and being a fantastic act. there and taking care of his children all set at the same time, which isn't one heck of

Jeff Dwoskin 40:04

a thing. Yeah, he's got some powerful storylines.

BJ Tanner 40:07

He does. He really does. Oh my god. Yeah. Wow. And he's a fantastic father and a fantastic actor. Yeah, he's

Jeff Dwoskin 40:15

great. I got to interview him for the boxer. He was it was it was a good time.

BJ Tanner 40:19

She's a really great man. Alright, so

Jeff Dwoskin 40:21

any any other big stories you got to share? We finally got the hair board just saying that. That was a big Willie Walney was nice. Scott Grimes actually can sing an Adrian golf. Yes. I know. Seth can sing too. Yeah. I don't think he has on the show yet.

BJ Tanner 40:39

Yes. Or no he can but he can't sing in real life. He knows how to play piano and guitar as well. Oh, yeah. He's

Jeff Dwoskin 40:43

guys albums. All that kind of stuff. Yeah, you sir. All right. So this sounds like the most fun set ever. But you've been it is one digit wrapped. I went to season three rap. It's been a bit right. It has been. Yeah. Like last August or something. Right. Sheesh.

BJ Tanner 40:59

I think so. I think it was around the time. Oh, you know, because I was there. Yeah. So it was around last August. Yes, sir.

Jeff Dwoskin 41:06

Okay, well, I got my fingers crossed for a season for me as well. I'm guessing they'll come up with a new name for it. They won't call like this is New Horizons. So then they'll come up with some of the Orville something right? Yes, sir. Keep that going. So I love it on Hulu. It's great. So what's what is next for BJ Tanner?

BJ Tanner 41:27

Well, I just got done shooting a movie. That's exciting. Yes, sir. It's a horror film called nikto phobia. I just got it. Don't you know what the D'Ambrosio twins? All right. Yes, sir. And that was a really fun set to be on. They're absolutely great people to work with. And I hope I can work with them again in the future. I absolutely loved working with them down there. They made everyday fun. Absolutely fantastic. People.

Jeff Dwoskin 41:51

Awesome. Paint. What's your basic character and in the movie,

BJ Tanner 41:55

I play an important role on there. Definitely a really important role on there and I play along with data pals. She's a really fantastic she's like a really wonderful actress. She she had lived a lot this movie, in wall worked out. She's absolutely amazing to work with. I worked with Sean O'Brien he's absolutely hilarious to work with. And he's a really great guy as well. You know, I worked with Mr. Dean McDermott. I think that's I say his last name, but he was absolutely he was a pleasure to work with you really wants to but the embryos your twins Bianca and Chiara. I absolutely love working with them. That's awesome. We became friends really fast.

Jeff Dwoskin 42:33

Nick to phobia extreme or irrational fear of the night or of darkness. There we go.

BJ Tanner 42:39

Yes, sir. Little slogan is be afraid of the dark.

Jeff Dwoskin 42:43

I like it. I loved hanging out with you. I can't thank you enough for hanging out with me. Where can people keep up with you on the social medias?

BJ Tanner 42:51

Well, they can follow me and keep up with me on BJ Taylor TV on Instagram. Tik Tok Facebook everyday is Vijay and MC. So you can find me anywhere on BJ Taylor's TV.

Jeff Dwoskin 43:01

Awesome. Well, I wish you a million more successful shows and movies and Miles Morales and Yes, sir. I know the best is yet to come. So thank you for hanging out with me. I really, really appreciate it. Thank you for having me for this interview. My pleasure. My pleasure. I love the story. So thanks for sharing everything with me,

BJ Tanner 43:23

sir, of course. Thank you.

Jeff Dwoskin 43:26

All right. How amazing was BJ Tanner? You love him in the rfl Do you love man Grey's Anatomy Do you love men station 19 or check check check all of the above. Orville is one of my favorite shows. So I hope you love this episode. Definitely check out the one with Peter Macon crossing my fingers was season four. They just announced the Orville is moving to Disney plus in addition to Hulu, so a great place to catch it if you are not up to date with the show.

Jeff Dwoskin 43:57

All right. Well with the interview over I can only mean one thing. That's right. It's time for another trending hashtag when the family of hashtags at hashtag round up. Download the free always free hashtag roundup app at the Google Play Store iTunes App Store. Play along with us on Twitter and one day one of your tweets may show up on a future episode of Classic conversations fame and fortune awaits you. In honor of BJ's upcoming new movie and his role as talk on Grey's Anatomy we're going into the hashtag round of archive to bring you #TakeAMovieToTheHospital. That's right the ultimate mash up of movies and hospital stuff. mash them together. Use the #TakeAMovieToTheHospital and hilarity ensues. brought to us by tag standups member of the hashtag roundup family here awesome #TakeAMovieToTheHospital tweets that n95 Mask got me back to the suture CAT scan begins the surgical mask. These are awesome hashtag take a movie to the hospital tweets. Fun with sick and Jane The Wizard of gauze. IV for hydration she's all stat good ill hunting the sector me myself and Irene Jo nurses the volcano #TakeAMovieToTheHospital tweets continues with Cass Times at Ridgemont High gown girl and our final #TakeAMovieToTheHospital tweet shaving Ryan's private Oh, all these tweets are retweeted at Jeff Dwoskin Jo on Twitter, Go show him some Twitter love. Tweet your own tag us at Jeff Dwoskin show. We'll show you some Twitter love. And that's how it's done. Oh my goodness with a hashtag over where the interview over? It can only mean one thing. Episode 151 has come to an end. Can you believe it? Episode 151. One episode towards 300. We've crossed the middle point. Thank you for being on this journey with us. I want to thank my special guests today BJ Tanner for being so awesome. And I want to thank all of you for being so awesome. And coming back week after week. It means the world to me, and I'll see you next time.

CTS Announcer 46:28

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