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Ray Hassett played Lt. Tigran Jamiro on Echo Base, in The Empire Strikes Back. Of course, he is best known for his iconic barb to Han Solo: “Your Tauntaun will freeze before you reach the first marker!”

Truly one of the more unique interviews we’ve had on this show, we delve into his early improvisational work, pairing with John Ratzenberger, becoming a fire eater on the streets of London, acting in James Bond and Superman, as well as the work that he does now tying all of his skills together.

As mentioned, you can visit RayHassett.com for more information on his current work.

Thank you also to Derek Maki and Coolwaters Productions, friends of the show, who made this interview possible. To meet Mr. Hassett at an upcoming show, or purchase any autograph right now: https://coolwatersprods.com/

Today is our 100th episode of Talking Bay 94, and I’m talking to the legendary Tony McVey: model maker, sculptor and character designer, who has worked on three generations of Star Wars.

The designer of Salacious Crumb and sculptor of Sy Snootles, the Rancor and Gamorrean Guards for Return of the Jedi, Mr. McVey returned to bring Jar Jar, Geonosians, and Yoda to three dimensions for the prequels, and then once more to The Mandalorian, to help design already-iconic creatures like The Child and Kuiil.

I can think of no better person to be our 100th interview.

For a more in-depth look at his process and creations, definitely go to his Facebook page, which is jam packed with incredible models and sculptures: https://www.facebook.com/tony.mcvey.777

And so yeah, that is our 100th episode. I cannot believe that we’ve gotten to this point and to this milestone.

I want to take this time to thank so many people: our guests, who have been so generous and gracious, our partners, who have helped make a lot of these interviews possible, and, of course, all of you, our fans, for supporting the show, listening every week, telling friends, reviewing us on Apple, and buying the merch.

I, Brandon, want to especially thank Jason, the producer of this show, who tirelessly works behind the scenes with recordings and video call set ups and all the incredible graphics you see every week. He was the first person I texted with this idea, way back in 2017, and I am so grateful that he’s been on this journey with me ever since.

It has meant much to hear from you all and to be welcomed into the Star Wars community with such open arms, over the past 3 years. And really, I just can’t wait to see what happens next.

Dave Carson is an extremely talented man of many different roles thorughout the Star Wars saga: whether working as a storyboard artist, a Creature Shop sculptor, or visual effects supervisor, his work left a lasting mark on so many of the movies we love.

From his start on The Empire Strikes Back to bringing the Gamorrean Guards to life in Return of the Jedi, he also has some incredible stories from his work on Star Tours and the Special Editions.

Of course, we also dive in to his monumental non-Star Wars work, including Young Sherlock Holmes (the stained glass man), Willow (and his idea for the morphing technology) and Jurassic Park. Incredible.

In this lead up to Episode #100 (which is crazy to even say) I would really appreciate some new reviews on Apple. If you can leave a 5-star review of the show right here on your favorite podcast app, or on Podchaser: podchaser.com/TalkingBay94

Don Bies came on this podcast way back on Episode #5 (!). If you haven’t listened to our previous conversation, definitely give it a download first, to hear all about his incredible career … because this episode is me asking all the questions I wish I had asked him 3 years ago.

Japanese Panasonic commercials (and adventures with Peter Mayhew + previous guest Niki Botelho)… the 1988 Marin County Fair … the Special Editions … and so, so much more.

I think I broke my mic (sorry) from laughing so hard.

It truly means the world that Mr. Bies came back on the show, and that he took a chance on this podcast 3 years ago … and, of course, his stories are just the best, if you can’t tell by my reactions.

Keep the Gaslight Burning is now streaming on Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Keep-Gaslight-Burning-Markie-Post/dp/B07K1FQ9C5

For donations and Information about The Grant Imahara STEAM Foundation: https://grantimaharafoundation.org/

Next week, Episode #99 (!), is with ILM legend David Carson, who was mentioned several times in this episode. It’s a great one … he designed the Gamorrean Guards!

Paul Davids co-wrote the Jedi Prince series of books, best known for The Glove of Darth Vader, as well as characters like Trioculus, Zorba the Hutt … and, of course, the grandchild of Emperor Palpatine. And that was 30 years ago!

I grew up reading these books and so getting to talk about their creation was such a blast. (Mr. Davids sure knows how to tell a story.)

It’s such a fun interview. And, as mentioned, if you’re interested in checking out any of his latest projects you can visit the following links:

• http://www.pauldavids.com/
• https://www.pauldavids-artist.com/
• https://www.amazon.com/The-Grand-Kingdom-of-Cookieland/dp/B08H82BY83

The prequel renaissance continues! Richard Stride played Separatist leader Poggle the Lesser in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, as well as numerous other roles, including Clone Troopers and … Obi-Wan Kenobi (in more scenes than you would believe).

It’s a great, quick inside look at what it was like to be on set while they were filming the prequels, and I hope you all enjoy it!

As mentioned, you can check out his website, richardstride.co.uk, for more information, as well as upcoming roles and appearances.

Next week is my long-awaited interview with the author of the Glove of Darth Vader series, Paul Davids. It’s a wild one, so hang on.

Paul Duncan is a writer, historian, and the author of the two volumes of Taschen‘s Star Wars Archives.

Mr. Duncan’s research, insights, and his exclusive multi-day interviews with George Lucas, himself, make these books a must-have for any Star Wars fan … and this interview, if I do say so myself, a must-listen.

Listening back on this interview while editing, I was again just so impressed (and obviously so inspired) by Mr. Duncan, and I hope to one day be half the interviewer, researcher and writer that he is.

To buy Mr. Duncan’s Star Wars books from Taschen: https://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/film/all/01170/facts.the_star_wars_archives_19771983.htm

And to buy his other equally incredible works, directly from his Amazon store: https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Duncan/e/B002QY4OOG

Today is Talking Bay 94 … Episode 94.

So I wanted to do something special, especially after the announcement of The Book of Boba Fett series, as well as the very sad news of Jeremy Bulloch’s passing last week.

Over the past few years of this show, we’ve been able to interview a lot of cast and crew members, who have put on the Mandalorian armor, who have helped design it, or who have brought it to life in other ways. What follows is a brief, chronological look at bringing Boba Fett to the screen for the Original Trilogy, from 1978 to the 1997 Special Editions, using clips from our past 94 episodes to do so.

I’ll be introducing the people who will be talking beforehand, and there will also be some select archival clips from people we may not have been able to interview. If any of these seem interesting, definitely go back through our episode library to hear these full stories.

Let’s all just buckle up, then, and listen to these talented people talk about their experience with everyone’s favorite Bucket Head.

It is always so appreciated if you can leave a 5-star review of the show right here on your favorite podcast app, or on Podchaser: podchaser.com/TalkingBay94

Kirk Thatcher started his career as the youngest person in the Return of the Jedi Creature Shop.

Come for the stories of working with Phil Tippett, Jim Henson, David Fincher, and then stay for the very insightful discussion on the future of the Muppets and Star Wars.

Head to his website, www.kirkrthatcher.com, for autographs and sketches of your favorite characters.

Dan Perri is an iconic title designer, who, well, created the opening crawl of the original Star Wars.

You know, the crawl.

His work spans decades and directors, and I try to tackle as many as I can: from William Friedkin (The Exorcist) and Martin Scorcese (Taxi Driver, Gangs of New York) to Steven Spielberg (Close Encounters) and, of course, George Lucas.

We dive deep into his process and his experiences, from his early years being inspired by Saul Bass to designing the titles for the Suspiria remake. To be the first to find out when his book is coming out, head to www.danperri.com.