Once We Were Spacemen – Episode 22: "Once We Recorded Live"

Hosted by Nathan Fillion & Alan Tudyk
Date: April 8, 2026

Episode Overview

The first-ever live episode of Once We Were Spacemen is a warm, unscripted, and hilariously nostalgic event. Nathan Fillion and Alan Tudyk—beloved for their roles on Firefly and many other projects—reflect on their creative journeys, favorite experiences, enduring friendship, and the quirks of fandom. Audience interaction is front and center, with spontaneous Q&A leading to candid stories, memorable pranks, and playful banter between the two hosts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origins and Motivation for the Podcast

• Nathan and Alan reminisce about the accidental genesis of their podcast, crediting Michelle Chapman for persistently encouraging them to create it.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “Michelle Chapman, who abhors attention, which is why you give it to her constantly.” – Alan [02:35]
    • “I thought, who wants to listen to what we got to say?” – Nathan [02:49]

2. Reflecting on "Firefly" and Early Careers

• Both reflect on their Firefly days, recalling demanding work schedules, cast camaraderie, and post-show adventures.
  • Memorable Anecdote:
    • “When we did Firefly, it was hard to hang out with him because he was always working. Some of us were in space more than others.” – Alan [03:51]
    • The infamous "War Stories" episode’s grueling schedule [04:06]
• Alan’s first “con” experience in Blackpool—marketed as London—and the wild, unfettered early fan encounters sans social media [05:48–08:07]
  • Notable Quote:
    • “It was a bit wild. Fun.” – Alan [07:56]

3. Maintaining Friendship Through Busy Careers

• Nathan and Alan discuss the challenges of staying connected with friends amidst demanding TV schedules (Castle, The Rookie, Resident Alien).
  • Quote:
    • “I see you more now than I have in the past 20 years.” – Nathan [03:32]
    • “It wasn't just a comedy, but… you were gone.” – Alan, about Nathan’s Castle years [04:47]

4. Conventions & Fandom Evolution

• Recollection of cosplay and unique fan tributes—the Alan mask and bust, and Alan’s first interaction with intense fandom.
• Panels are highlighted as the most enjoyable part of cons.
  • Quote:
    • “My favorite part. I'm going to say the panels are my favorite part.” – Nathan [08:07]

5. "Let’s Get to Know You Better" Segment

• Playful mutual interviews where Nathan affirms his preference for comfort (elastic laces, comfy chairs), while Alan reveals his willingness to tolerate discomfort for style and design.
  • Highlights:
    • “Alan, I am built for comfort. I am not built for speed.” – Nathan [09:03]
    • “I’ll have furniture that is uncomfortable. You knew this about me when you met me?” – Alan [12:11]
    • “All of my furniture, you used to say, looks great. And you can't sit in any of it.” – Nathan [12:29]

6. Alan’s Grievance: Pup Cups

• Alan humorously rants about the rise of "pup cups" (cups of whipped cream for dogs at coffee shops), their mysterious cultural pervasiveness, and the digestive chaos they create.
  • Quote:
    • “People refer to them as if you know what they are… ‘Gotta get a Pup Cup.’ My dogs have diarrhea.” – Alan [14:31–18:22]
    • “At 2 in the morning near the one rug… there was a little, but not enough to kill the rug because she's killed so many rugs.” – Alan [16:53]

7. Audience Q&A

Prank Wars [20:54]

• Most Memorable Prank: Nathan’s legendary prank on Alan: secretly posting childhood photos (from a neighbor's family calendar Alan had left at Nathan's house) all over the movie set for Alan’s birthday.
  • Quote:
    • “You walked in and went, ‘What… How did… Where did you get these?’” – Nathan [23:34]
• Retaliatory Hijinks: Stories of car pranks on set (balloons, zip ties, melted gummy worms) and the unresolved mystery of who tampered with Nathan’s car.
  • Quote:
    • “There was a look on my face and the tone of my voice that said, yeah, that was not. Maybe we shouldn't have done that.” – Nathan [26:37]

Favorite Non-Firefly Projects [27:36]

• Alan’s favorite: Death at a Funeral—loved for its play-like rehearsal style and Frank Oz’s direction.
  • Quote:
    • “He follows artist rules, and he doesn't try to put anything on it… He's a true artist.” – Alan [28:18]
• Nathan gives love to The Rookie and their recent shared experience on a Superman movie.
  • Quote:
    • “What are the odds that a guy from Edmonton and a guy from Texas… 25 years later, be in a Superman movie together?” – Nathan [29:49]

Gadgets & Useful Purchases [31:43]

• Nathan recommends a portable bidet, a new kind of nonstick spatula, and custom poker chips as quirky must-haves.
  • Quote:
    • “You know what I did?… I gave them [portable bidets] to my family for Christmas.” – Nathan [33:12]
  • Alan marvels at Nathan’s enthusiasm for gadgets and SkyMall-level purchases.

Roles: The Not Nathan Fillion Role [35:15]

• Nathan recounts losing a job because they wanted a “Nathan Fillion type” that ultimately went to Omar Epps, humorously noting it was no big deal and referencing Ron Glass’s similar experience.
  • Quote:
    • “I think it went to Omar Epps. He is a Nathan Fillion type.” – Alan [35:56]
    • “Ron Glass also told me one time that he lost a role… for Ron Glass. And I thought that was hilarious. And then it happened to me.” – Alan/Nathan [36:12]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Working Together:
  • “I see you more now than I have in the past 20 years.” – Nathan [03:32]
• On Gadgets:
  • “Elastic laces… I’m wearing them now. You wouldn’t know the difference. I’m telling you right now, buddy.” – Nathan [09:43]
• On Pranks:
  • “Inside of 10 seconds, you said it was Nathan.” – Nathan [24:04]
• On Fandom:
  • “My favorite part. I’m going to say the panels are my favorite part.” – Nathan [08:07]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:34] – Episode kicks off, title and theme banter
• [02:24] – Origins of the podcast; Michelle Chapman’s role
• [03:42] – Firefly & post-Firefly friendship stories
• [05:48] – First convention and con memories
• [08:16] – The joy of panels; transition to “Get to Know You Better”
• [09:03] – Nathan's comfort vs. Alan’s style
• [14:06] – Alan’s “pup cup” grievance
• [20:54] – Q&A begins: Pranks (Ashley’s question)
• [27:36] – Audience asks about favorite roles
• [31:43] – Gadget recommendations and portable bidet chat
• [35:15] – “Nathan Fillion type” role story
• [36:37] – Episode wind-down and gratitude to audience

Tone & Language

The episode captures Nathan and Alan’s signature camaraderie: self-deprecating, irreverent, and open-hearted. Their back-and-forth is peppered with quick wit, fond jabs, and a genuine sense of nostalgia and shared history.

Useful for New Listeners

This live installment of Once We Were Spacemen is a perfect entry point: it offers behind-the-scenes stories, showcases the deep friendship at the podcast’s core, and serves up plenty of fandom references and laughs. The Q&A format reveals new anecdotes and personal quirks, making the episode rich, accessible, and full of heart.