Podcast Summary: Once We Were Spacemen

Episode 14: Once We Were Allergic to Everything and Answered Your Burning Questions
Hosts: Nathan Fillion & Alan Tudyk
Original Release: February 11, 2026

Episode Overview

In this vibrant, laughter-filled episode, Nathan Fillion and Alan Tudyk, known for playing iconic roles in Firefly, Resident Alien, and more, spend time reminiscing about their shared creative history, discussing fond and hilarious behind-the-scenes stories, reflecting on their careers, and answering fan questions collected from social media. With their signature warmth, wit, and rapport, the episode delves into memorable set moments, personal anecdotes about allergies and celebrity life, and playful reflections on what it means to be “successful.” Throughout, they maintain an intimate, joke-packed, and occasionally self-deprecating tone, making it feel like a cozy chat between old friends.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Firefly & Serenity Memories

• The Lost Blueprints (00:00–07:27)

  • Nathan recounts the saga of the Serenity blueprints. Years after the show, he realizes he’s been storing the original, full-sized blueprints for the ship in his garage while producers lamented their loss during movie production.
    • Quote:
      • Nathan: “Come to find out, I don’t know how many years later...I pull it out. Giant, full-sized blueprints for Serenity. I had the blueprints of the spaceship.” [00:23]
      • Alan: “So when they were saying, ‘We can’t find the blueprints,’ ...talking exactly to the guy who had them...” [00:33]
  • Nathan’s behind-the-scenes photos and plans helped piece together the ship’s reconstruction for the Serenity film.

• Set Salvaging and Scars (01:11–08:12)

  • Nathan describes slipping into the Firefly set post-cancellation, only to witness the medical bay being demolished—a memory that still haunts him.
    • Quote:
      • Nathan: “I opened the doors...and watched as a forklift smashed down the whole medical bay lounge area...It tore at me. It destroyed me.” [02:54]
  • Alan shares how he snuck a special button (“When your miracle comes, hit this button and we’ll all come running”) from the set and returned it to Joss Whedon as inspiration during a tough time.
    • Quote:
      • Alan: “I put a button [from ‘Out of Gas’]...on his desk and wrote on a note, ‘When your miracle gets here, just hit this button and we’ll all come running.’” [09:13]

• Signature Props & Fan Memorabilia (10:27–14:00)

  • Discussion of fan-forged autographs and the art of signature variations for different circumstances (e.g., airport versus planned events).
  • Alan’s “three-year-old with a crayon” signature compared to Nathan’s “flowing and beautiful” one, and playful banter about faking each other’s autographs.

2. Life After Resident Alien & Creative Hustle

• Life Post-Series (13:38–15:31)

  • Alan reflects on the surprising busyness after Resident Alien ended, highlighting ongoing animation projects, writing, and pitching new ideas.
    • Quote:
      • Alan: “I feel like I’m busier now. I’ve got projects that I’m writing and trying to get off the ground...I never stop. I feel like I’m busier than I’ve ever been.” [14:22]
  • They discuss the difference between structured TV work and the freedom (and challenges) of unscheduled creative life.

• Voice Acting & Animation (15:35–18:34)

  • Nathan praises Alan’s versatility in voice acting (Rick and Morty, etc.), while Alan reflects on admiring career voice actors like Nolan North and John DiMaggio and feeling like he’s only recently “getting it” as a VO professional.
    • Quote:
      • Nathan: “You can do anything that they need. Whereas they’ve had me on and I’m a one-trick pony.” [17:05]
      • Alan: “I think I’m starting to get it. About 15 years later, I’m starting to, I feel like I’m getting there.” [18:32]

• Reflection on Success (18:34–19:24)

  • Alan jokes about being “married to a woman” as his definition of success while Nathan insists that working consistently is success.

3. Deep-Dive Fan Q&A Segment

A lively, alternating set of questions ranging from silly to substantial.
Timestamps indicate start of relevant Q&A.

Alan’s Allergies & Food Stories (31:41–35:00)

• Alan is asked which allergy he’d eliminate: “Probably eggs...but I can’t eat eggs. And it’s right between eggs and gluten.” [33:07]
• Shares the story of eating gluten-free pastries in Paris: “We just bought up the whole shop and then just gorged ourselves and just had a diabetic issue.” [34:34]

Nathan’s Dr. Horrible Memories (35:31–40:10)

• Reminisces on the guerrilla, collaborative nature of Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog during the 2007–08 writers’ strike.
• Anecdote about filming his big setpiece atop a van and the lot catching fire shortly after: “We were the last thing to film on that New York street before they had a tremendous fire.” [39:55]

Smoking and Eating On Set (40:45–43:09)

• Alan details smoking real vs. herbal cigarettes on film and shares the hazards/downsides of continuity and health. [40:56]
• Nathan reveals his trick for pretending to eat on camera to keep from endlessly consuming food during takes. [43:09]

“Who’s Funnier?” Banter (44:11–44:59)

• Playful argument about which host is funnier—with each insisting the other is:
  • Alan: “No. You’re funnier. I acquiesce.”
  • Nathan: “You're funnier. I acquiesce. Nathan, listen.”
  • Alan: “I’m super funnier.”

Buffy Fight Scene Story (45:12–47:41)

• Nathan shares the story of how, on Buffy, he ended up manhandling a stuntwoman during a complex scene:
  • “It was that. But throwing her into, you know, make believe brick walls.” [47:14]

Closest Character to Real Alan (47:43–48:29)

• Alan quickly chooses Wash from Firefly: “Wash. Easy answer. Thanks, Oswiz. And that’s why I like Wash so much.” [47:49]
• Alan admits he’s grown to appreciate the show’s Chinese/English dual-language dynamic only in retrospect.

Taking the Podcast Live (49:09–55:34)

• Speculation on taking the podcast on the road, mixing live bits, physical comedy, and old vaudeville songs (Alan as King Candy, medleys, and more).
  • Quote:
    • Nathan: “If I did a podcast episode live with you...I would be so pleased to do Monty Python sketches with you...” [53:58]
    • Alan: “We could get John Dinerstein...I could sing the songs and go from one to another. It’s called a medley, and I can do them all. Let’s do it.” [55:08]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the Value of Set Pieces & Memories:

  • “I want to cry right now. That’s such a poignant, beautiful, perfect piece.” – Nathan (on Alan’s gift to Joss Whedon) [09:48]

• On Their Signature Styles:

  • Nathan (about Alan’s autograph): “Yours is like a crayon in the left hand, grabbed with a fist of a three-year-old.” [11:00]

• On Success:

  • Alan (deadpan): “Oh, success, I am married to a woman.” [18:39]

• On Laughter (and its dangers):

  • Alan: “There are two laughs I do not accept as laughter...The XKSS laugh...and then there’s a hiss...it will quiet other laughter. It’s offensive.” [26:12–27:52]
  • Nathan: “...how about just, rather than tell me, you just maybe chuckle a bit.” [28:05]

• Food & Allergy Comedy:

  • Alan: “My favorite food: coffee.” [33:52]
  • Nathan (on describing eggs): “Rub it in, Nathan. Just rub it in.” [33:26]

• Planning a Live Show:

  • Nathan: “If we do this, we would be then partially a visual medium...I would have you do the bit...Fanning Cleopatra...” [50:43]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Intro/Serenity Blueprints: 00:00–07:27
• Firefly Set Stories / Set Salvage: 07:28–08:59
• Props & Signatures: 09:00–14:00
• Post-Resident Alien, Animation Work: 13:38–18:34
• Success & Voiceover Reflection: 18:35–19:24
• Let’s Get To Know You—Halloween Story/Laughter Rants: 21:53–31:41
• Fan Questions:
  • Alan’s Allergies & Food: 31:41–35:00
  • Nathan on Dr. Horrible: 35:31–40:10
  • Smoking & Eating On-Set: 40:45–43:09
  • Who’s Funnier?: 44:11–44:59
  • Buffy Fight Scene: 45:12–47:41
  • Closest Character to Real Alan: 47:43–48:29
  • Taking Podcast Live: 49:09–55:34
• Sign-Off Playful Banter: 56:32–58:16

Final Notes & Tone

Throughout the episode, Nathan and Alan demonstrate the rare, hilarious chemistry that made them fan favorites on Firefly—mixing deep affection, mutual awe, and relentless teasing. They riff on each other’s foibles, celebrate each other’s talents, slip into bits and voices, and handle even mundane questions with showman’s delight. The episode is a treat for fans of both actors, those interested in showbiz oddities, and anyone who appreciates a good friendship full of inside jokes and heart.

Memorable Sign-Off:
Nathan: “Till then, I’ll just enjoy those sandwiches and describe them to you.” [58:12]
Alan: “Thank you. Thank you very much. Oh, my God. Thank you for listening. You just bless your heart...” [58:16]

For More:

• Listen to previous episodes for more stories, or join their Patreon for bonus content and a chance to submit your own burning questions!