Nicholle Tom Meets World

Summary

Pod Meets World — “Nicholle Tom Meets World”

Podcast: Pod Meets World
Host: Danielle Fishel, Rider Strong, Will Friedle
Guest: Nicholle Tom
Date: December 8, 2025

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Episode Overview

In this episode, the Pod Meets World crew welcomes Nicholle Tom, beloved for her role as Maggie Sheffield on "The Nanny" and as a star of the "Beethoven" movies. The episode dives into Nicholle's Hollywood origin story, her iconic roles, the ups and downs of being a child actor, celebrity run-ins on set, and her creative passions outside of acting. The hosts and Nicholle share candid memories, funny behind-the-scenes moments, and thoughtful reflections on childhood fame, creativity, and family.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Childhood Gifts & Memorable Birthdays

• Hosts swap stories about their most thoughtful or memorable birthday gifts, setting a personal and nostalgic tone for the episode.
  • Ryder Strong shares the story of a custom vinyl album of personally selected songs from friends and family, made by his wife.
    Quote: "I just fell apart and bawled opening it up, and then I can still pull it out and put it on and hear a whole collection of songs from people in my life." (04:28)
  • Will Friedle recounts how his godfather gifted him his first car, which he still owns.
    Quote: "He gave me my car, my Celica, which again, I still have." (05:29)
  • Danielle Fishel reminisces about a birthday scavenger hunt organized by her mom, ending with a Commodore 64.
    Quote: "The way the gift was done was so memorable… and they ended with a Commodore 64 computer." (06:27)

2. Nicholle Tom's Crafty Side & Creative Workspace

• The hosts and Nicholle have a playful discussion about her unique home décor and crafting hobbies.
  • Nicholle reveals she creates one-of-a-kind chandeliers for fun and plans to sell some on her friend's website, "The WTF" (12:20).
  • Quote: "I make crazy chandeliers ... I'm going to be taking some photos of some of my artwork at an art show earlier on in the year." (12:14)

3. Hollywood Origins: Family, Moving, and Acting Aspirations

• Nicholle traces her journey from Illinois to Hollywood, shaped by her family's transitions and her mother's ambitions.
  • Her mom’s creative background as a teacher and puppeteer influenced Nicholle’s artistic side.
  • The family’s move to Seattle due to her father's career, then to California for pilot season.
  • Early struggles with shyness and not booking commercials like her siblings, until encouragement in acting class changed her path.
    • Quote: "I was kind of a shy child ... I like to make believe and climb trees with my hamster and pretend I was in a different land in my tree house." (16:48)
  • She attended the Young Actors Space, forming early friendships with future industry peers, including Ryder Strong.

4. Landing Roles: From Beethoven to The Nanny

• Nicholle details her first major auditions:
  • Her second audition ever was for “Beethoven,” which launched her career. (24:51)
  • Describes filming "Beethoven" with dozens of St. Bernards and what it was like as a “kid working with kids and animals.”
    • Quote: "It was like a dream come true... I just love animals so much." (27:41)
    • Memorable behind-the-scenes fact: To get Beethoven to "kiss" them, the trainers smeared chicken baby food behind the actors’ ears (33:41).
  • Anecdote: Accidentally discovering Charles Grodin’s toupee on set.
    • Quote: "I noticed this netting... So I immediately stopped playing with his hair, but he probably was so like, what is she doing?" (31:41)

5. “The Nanny”: Auditions, Set Life, and Children vs. Adults

• Nicholle went through nine auditions before landing the role of Maggie Sheffield (27:05).
  • At her first audition, she mistook Fran Drescher for the casting director because she’d never seen her movies and was struck by her voice (43:39).
  • Life on set:
    • Differentiated "kid" and "adult" worlds on the show; she loved wardrobe, the audience tapings, and especially the craft service table ("bagels and lox every morning" (48:04)).
    • Quote: "We were the kids show, and then there were the adults... I loved going to the wardrobe room and getting fitted for all the clothes." (46:14)
    • Favorite episode: Gym class with Rita Moreno as her gym teacher, though she recounts embarrassment at needing help to climb a rope for a scene (49:03).
    • The intimidating presence of actors she admired made her nervous as a teen (52:05).
    • Industry connections: "Grandma Yetta" (Ann Morgan Guilbert) was the mother of Nicholle’s acting teacher.

6. Working on Other Major ’90s Shows

• Guest spots on "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and "Beverly Hills, 90210":
  • Discusses behind-the-scenes drama on the 90210 set, though the cast was kind to her (53:29).
  • Notes multiple connections across shows and roles, showing the interconnectedness of ‘90s TV productions.

7. Growing up Acting & Working with Siblings

• The Tom siblings (Heather and David) have all continued working in entertainment, sometimes intersecting on the same projects.
  • Quote: "My sister and I played twins one time... We were on Wedding Bells together, which was a David E. Kelley show." (60:40)
  • Explains family dynamics and the unique experience of acting alongside relatives.

8. Alternate Life Paths & Passions

• Nicholle's dream job if she hadn't acted? Possibly a veterinarian or running a creative shop.
  • Quote: "I've always loved putting stuff on... sticking stuff on stuff. I've been sticking stuff to stuff for my entire life." (62:03)
  • Hosts encourage her to open her own artsy vintage shop or turn her crafting passions into a business/podcast.

9. “Crime & Crafting” Podcast Idea (Fun Segment)

• The group brainstorms a potential true-crime-and-crafting podcast show, with hilarious pitches and enthusiasm.
  • Will Friedle: "So they found the body partially decomposed with a beautiful rhinestone buckle." (63:53)
  • Danielle: "Crime and crafting as a podcast is a great idea." (64:15)
  • Nicholle promises to consider launching it — see her Instagram for updates.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Crafting and Creativity:
  Nicholle Tom: "I bedazzled these pears on the chandelier… I make crazy chandeliers." (11:50)

• On The 'Nanny' Set:
  Nicholle Tom: “I would sit like on the stairs and just watch the audience... Oh gosh, the craft service was so good!” (46:34)

• On Family Dynamics:
  Nicholle Tom: "My sister has always been like the older sister, the matriarch… I've always just wanted friends, like, so much." (23:13), (41:03)

• On Being a Kid Actor Surrounded by Celebrities:
  Nicholle Tom: "The people on the show frightened me as a child... Their personalities— I looked up to them so much." (52:05)

• On Alternate Careers:
  Nicholle Tom: "I feel like I would have my own store of sorts... a business that sells vintage, weird things, and I make lamps. Something really creative." (62:43)

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Important Timestamps

• Best Birthday Gifts: 03:37 – 08:05
• Nicholle’s Crafting Garage & Hobbies: 09:38 – 13:07
• Early Family Moves & Entering Acting: 13:09 – 20:58
• Child Actor Peers and Classes: 20:03 – 22:21
• Breaking into Acting, “Beethoven”: 24:06 – 33:41
• Charles Grodin’s Toupee Story: 31:34 – 32:05
• Beethoven On-Set Puppy Facts: 32:21 – 34:01
• Life After “Beethoven,” School and Studio Apartment: 41:03 – 43:14
• Auditioning for “The Nanny,” First Meeting Fran Drescher: 43:27 – 44:14
• The Nanny Set & Favorite Memories: 45:41 – 49:35
• 90210 Drama, Guest Roles Recap: 53:09 – 54:59
• Working with Siblings: 60:16 – 61:12
• Alternate Careers & Crime-and-Crafting Podcast Pitch: 61:29 – 64:19
• Plugs: Nicholle’s Instagram and The WTF Shop: 65:01 – 66:15

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Where to Find Nicholle Tom

• Instagram: @nicholletom (mentions she’s getting back into posting)
• The WTF (selling her one-of-a-kind crafts): thewtf.com
• Future podcast/creative endeavors: Stay tuned for possible “Crime and Crafting”!
  • Quote: "I've been sticking stuff to stuff my entire life." (62:11)
  • Quote: "Crime and crafting as a podcast is a great idea." (64:15)

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Summary & Takeaways

This episode is a heartfelt, fun, nostalgia-infused trip through ‘90s family TV, child stardom, and the enduring power of creativity—both on screen and in life. Nicholle Tom proves to be as quirky, charming, and honest as her on-screen persona, gracefully sharing the realities of her journey through fame, Hollywood’s interconnected world, family, and artistic passions. The episode is a must-listen for fans of "The Nanny," "Beethoven," and anyone curious about what it was really like growing up in the entertainment industry.

Transcript

[Podcast Announcer]

This is an iHeart podcast guaranteed human.

[Danielle Fishel]

I'm Danielle Fishel, Ryder Strong and Will.

[Will Friedle]

Friedle from Pod Meets World.

[Danielle Fishel]

Whether you're a seasoned small business owner or thinking about getting started, check out season four of Mind the Business small business success stories from iHeartMedia's Ruby Studios and Intuit QuickBooks.

[Ryder Strong]

In this latest season, hosts Austin Hankwitz and Janice Torres are talking to self starters about the ins and outs of entrepreneurship and how QuickBooks helps you to get more done in less time. You won't want to miss it.

[Will Friedle]

Listen to Mind the Business Small Business Success Stories on the iHeart app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Danielle Fishel]

Every year I think I'm ready for the holidays and then suddenly I'm the one hosting. This year though, Whole Foods Market low key saved me. Maybe even high key.

[Will Friedle]

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[Ryder Strong]

And Whole Foods has single handedly made me the best host gift giver around. Their curated cheeses or cookie gift boxes Instant hero status for mains.

[Danielle Fishel]

I grabbed their bone in rib roast and I'm not kidding, it's a showstopper.

[Will Friedle]

So if you're scrambling like we always are, just order, pickup or delivery. Whole Foods is truly the holiday headquarters. New Traditions Zero Chaos Shop for everything.

[Ryder Strong]

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[Danielle Fishel]

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[Sophie Cunningham]

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[Podcast Announcer]

20Th Century Studios presents the upcoming comedy Ella McKay from Academy Award winning writer director James L. Brooks. Emma Mackey plays Ella McKay, an idealistic young woman who juggles her family and work life in a story about the people you love and how to survive them. Featuring all star cast including Emma Mackey, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jack Loudon, Kumail Nanjiani, Ayo Adebiri. Julie Kavner. With Albert Brooks and Woody Harris Carolson. Ella McKay. Only in theaters Friday.

[Will Friedle]

So, Ryder, your birthday's coming up. We all know your birthday's coming up. Which leads me to very. He's an 11 brother, which is. Hey, you don't get to talk directly to us. Danielle.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, sorry.

[Will Friedle]

What is the best birthday present you've ever gotten in your life?

[Ryder Strong]

My wife, I guess this was my 40th birthday, so. Oh God. Six years ago.

Had a vinyl album made for me and asked family and friends of mine to each contribute a song. And so what I ended up getting was a two record set of songs with liner notes explaining why everyone picked their song.

[Will Friedle]

That's a cool.

[Ryder Strong]

And it was one of the. So I have this record and she, you know, she printed it. So it has like pictures from our life on it and me on it. And then I open it up and yeah, there's like a little message from people in my life saying this song. Here's why I picked it. Because of this memory or because this always makes me think of you or I knew you would like this song or whatever. You know, you introduced me. But everyone had their own reason why they picked a song they picked. But yeah, it's truly like, I mean, I just fell apart and bald opening it up and then I can still pull it out and put it on and hear a whole collection of.

[Sophie Cunningham]

Yeah.

[Ryder Strong]

It's such a great gift. Yeah. So that was by far like one of the coolest, most thoughtful and know it still goes on like I can still listen to it and still get back into that. That mindset.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah.

[Ryder Strong]

How about you? Anybody else got a favorite gift?

[Will Friedle]

Well, probably the gift that stands out the most to me is, is my Godfather for my 16th birthday, gave me my car. So the one I still have, my celica, my, my 86 Celica. So when I.

[Ryder Strong]

That was a gift, huh?

[Will Friedle]

Yeah, that was a gift. It was a gift from my Uncle Fred, who's no longer here. Who was the nicest guy in the world? And. Yeah, he. He gave me my. My car, which, again, I still have.

[Ryder Strong]

Huge.

[Danielle Fishel]

So cute.

[Will Friedle]

That was a big one. He was a great guy. He's my. My dad's college roommate, and he was my. My godfather when I was born, and he was just a wonderful man.

[Nicole Tom]

And.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah. So still have it.

[Ryder Strong]

Great.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah. It's a good one by you, Danielle.

[Danielle Fishel]

When. And part of this is, like, because. Not even. Because the gift itself was so amazing. It was. The.

[Podcast Announcer]

The.

[Danielle Fishel]

The way the gift was done was so memorable. When we were living. It was like the first year we were living in our new house in Calabasas, so I was probably 12 or maybe 13 at the most. My mom did a scavenger hunt where, you know, there was, like, the first present, and then there was a clue to go find the next present somewhere in the house or somewhere else, and I had to go and find it. And the gifts were just, like, little things that got progressively bigger, and they ended with a Commodore 64 computer.

[Will Friedle]

Wow.

[Nicole Tom]

Yes.

[Ryder Strong]

I didn't know you had a Commodore 64.

[Will Friedle]

Me too. Me too.

[Ryder Strong]

Did you too? We all had Commodores.

[Will Friedle]

They were the best.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, my God. And it was so cool. But, like, I remember the scavenger hunt of it all. One of the reasons I remember the scavenger hunt, too is because my mom had this pair of shoes that I loved that were, like, black snakeskin. And they were. They dipped down really low and showed a lot of toe cleavage. And I loved them. I wanted them so bad. Even though I had nowhere at 13 to wear toe cleavage, snakeskin shoes. But I loved them. My mom put a clue in one of those shoes right under, you know, under the dining room table or whatever. And I thought that was the big gift that she was giving me, the shoes.

[Will Friedle]

I was like, ah.

[Danielle Fishel]

She's like, no, that's still my shoe. I'm just putting a clue in it because I know you love them, but.

[Will Friedle]

I just meant toe cleavage. Or is that a thing?

[Danielle Fishel]

I think it's a thing. I did not.

[Will Friedle]

Okay.

[Nicole Tom]

No.

[Danielle Fishel]

I'm sure I heard it from somewhere.

[Will Friedle]

Never heard that before.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay. Anyway, that was probably my best Commodore.

[Ryder Strong]

It's like a full experience to make it a whole, like, treasure hunt is so cool. We've done that for India a few times. Like, different. Different special Occas occasions. We've had, like. Yeah. Clues that we hide. And it's so fun.

[Danielle Fishel]

It's fun. Yeah.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah.

[Will Friedle]

My parents did that once I got to the end. There was nothing there. They're like, yeah, life disappoints you.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, gosh.

[Will Friedle]

Happy birthday.

[Danielle Fishel]

Happy birthday, son.

[Will Friedle]

That never happened for the rest.

[Danielle Fishel]

I know, I know. We know. We know your parents well enough.

[Will Friedle]

They would never do that.

[Danielle Fishel]

They would never do that. Not to the baby of the family.

[Will Friedle]

Not to change my room.

[Ryder Strong]

No. We put him on a bus and send him to New York.

Go make some money for this family.

[Will Friedle]

I had to fly. I. I had spread my wings and fly.

[Nicole Tom]

Just the way it goes.

[Danielle Fishel]

Welcome to Pod meets world. I'm Danielle Fishel.

[Ryder Strong]

I'm Ryder Strong.

[Will Friedle]

And I'm Will Friedell.

[Danielle Fishel]

As a child actor, you hire an agent, miss school, sit in endless freeway traffic, audition for judgy strangers, and in turn, hear more nos than door to door. Room temperature salmon salesmen.

What even mean you don't know about the temperature? Room room temperature salmon salesman.

[Will Friedle]

I did not. I was unaware that this was a profession.

[Danielle Fishel]

Surprise. Now, imagine the results of this career path somehow doesn't end in disappointment like a large percentage of your competition. Instead, you end up starring in a hit sitcom and become part of the expansive Beethoven cinematic universe, which, let's be honest, is as close to young actor royalty as you can get. She grew up on sets alongside her twin brother, who also somehow established an amazing career both as a child and ever since. She was around for the summer blockbuster era and the days when a staggering 15 million viewers barely got her show, the Nanny to Crack Nielsen's top 20. She's best known as Maggie Sheffield, the older sister that Fran Fine, AKA Fran Drescher, was hired to look after, but has since been on shows like Masters of Sex, Criminal Minds and Good American Family. Oh, she's also Supergirl, but now she's here talking to us about all of those memories. So this week on Pod Meets World, let's say hello to Nicole. Tom.

[Will Friedle]

Hello. Hi.

[Nicole Tom]

Hello.

[Danielle Fishel]

How are you? Good to see you.

[Nicole Tom]

Nice to see all of you. I'm looking at everybody's backdrop.

[Ryder Strong]

I know. You have so much going on in yours.

[Danielle Fishel]

You look like you're in a place where they would give psychic readings.

Do you do tarot card readings out of there?

[Nicole Tom]

No, and I've never been given the deck either.

[Danielle Fishel]

This is a missed opportunity.

[Nicole Tom]

I know. And my friends. Actually, I have two friends that have their own.

Tarot cards. Yeah, and they have actual photos. Like, so weird that you would mention tarot cards. I guess it does look like a. A psychic reading.

[Danielle Fishel]

I feel like you need to have your own 800 number at the bottom.

[Nicole Tom]

Of Your screen right now.

[Danielle Fishel]

I would totally call you for a psychic reading right now with Ms. Tom.

Yeah, see, I like this.

[Will Friedle]

You should have just come in sideways.

[Nicole Tom]

Going past lives.

All of the crystal balls. I mean.

[Danielle Fishel]

It'S just gorgeous. Is this your house? I'm sorry to keep harping on it. Is this your house? It's just beautiful.

[Nicole Tom]

Is my crafting garage nice? I just set it up. I love this. It's like really crazy.

[Danielle Fishel]

It's very cool looking, honestly.

[Will Friedle]

Great backdrop. Yep.

[Nicole Tom]

I really like this, but. Yeah, and you guys. I mean, the. The two boys, they have, you know, Will and. And Ryder, they. You guys have a lot going on.

[Danielle Fishel]

Dark and stormy. Dark and stormy back there. Yeah. Both of them. Will's in a bat cave and writers in a book dungeon. Yeah, mine has to be a little brighter. Cause I also have to use it for qvc, so.

[Nicole Tom]

Oh, do you do qvc?

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah, I have a hair care line and we sell on qvc, so sometimes I have to do it from zoom when I can't make it all the way out to Philadelphia.

[Will Friedle]

Everything behind Danielle is currently for sale.

[Danielle Fishel]

Exactly. A bedazzled Voss water. Yeah, I just got this at the Dancing with the stars 20th anniversary party.

[Nicole Tom]

Oh, my gosh, how wonderful. I bedad these pears on the chandelier.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, look at that. You do? Wait, are those pears? Yeah. How cool.

[Nicole Tom]

This is my. My pear chandelier. That.

[Danielle Fishel]

Did you make that whole chandelier?

[Nicole Tom]

I did. I make crazy chandeliers.

[Will Friedle]

Wow.

[Danielle Fishel]

Do you have a business doing this?

[Nicole Tom]

No, I just do it for fun. I mean, I. I am going to be selling some stuff on my friend's website.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Nicole Tom]

WTF.com.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay.

I want to send everyone to this also me, I. I want to. I want an early advanced link because I want to buy one of your crazy chandeliers.

[Nicole Tom]

Well, I mean, I've just been. This year has been nuts, I'm sure for. Yeah, buddy. But yeah, I'm. I'm just now getting back into, like. I'm going to be taking some photos of some of my, you know, artwork at an art show earlier on in the year.

The chandeliers in there. There's the cactus one that I sold. I don't know if you can see it. There's a lot going on.

[Danielle Fishel]

I do see that cactus now that you've pointed it out. That's so cool.

[Nicole Tom]

But I'm gonna put a. A partridge in this pear chandelier for Christmas time.

[Ryder Strong]

Partridge in a pear tree.

[Nicole Tom]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

I love this.

[Nicole Tom]

Dazzle it too.

[Danielle Fishel]

So let's jump in. I want to talk about your Hollywood origin story. You were raised in Illinois, right, with your twin brother David. And you both have the dream of acting in Hollywood. So how did that dream.

[Nicole Tom]

My sister, my older sister Heather, of.

[Danielle Fishel]

Course, and your sister as well. How did it all come about? Who started it? Who raised their hand and said, I want to go to Hollywood?

[Nicole Tom]

Oh, gosh, my mom. Probably.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay. Yeah. First and foremost an adult.

[Nicole Tom]

Yes. But, well, we, we started off in Chicago. In Oak Park.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Nicole Tom]

Which is, you know, home of Einstein.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Nicole Tom]

And then my dad, my dad was a stockbroker and the, the stock market crashed and so we had to skip town.

[Danielle Fishel]

I love it.

[Nicole Tom]

And so we went to Seattle. My dad went to Seattle and was still a stockbroker there. And my mom was always a, like really into. She always wanted to be an actress.

And she was really good too. I mean she was, she was beautiful.

But she never like, her parents always wanted her to be a teacher. Yeah, yeah, she went to, to school to be a teacher and she was a speech therapist. But she, she brought the arts into her teaching like by doing puppet shows. And she made her own puppets, which I think I, is where I got my craftiness stuff from. Now all of her puppets are my Christmas ornaments.

[Danielle Fishel]

That is, that's cool.

[Will Friedle]

That's cool.

[Nicole Tom]

Scary because you know, some of them, you know, they're from a long time ago and it's just the heads, but I have outfit, but it's a bunch of heads like in the tree.

[Ryder Strong]

It's a Christmas horror film.

[Will Friedle]

I love it.

[Danielle Fishel]

Old Christmas decor is. I don't know why it was all so creepy looking. We have a lot, we have a lot of my mother in law's old Christmas dolls and, and my husband's like, oh, these are so beautiful. And I'm like, no, they're not. You just have nostalgia for them. But they are terrifying.

[Nicole Tom]

Yeah, they're paper mache, which is really cool. I would love to learn how to paper mache.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay.

[Nicole Tom]

Paper mache.

[Danielle Fishel]

No, I, no, I know how to do absolutely nothing.

[Will Friedle]

Back in the day, I mean it was like, I remember making. You had to make a paper mache like volcano that would work for, for school and stuff. So. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

I'm sure there's a YouTube video that could show you how to paper mache.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah, yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Especially since you're so crafty. I think you pick it up real fast.

[Nicole Tom]

I would totally be interested in that YouTube video. Anyways.

[Sophie Cunningham]

Okay.

[Nicole Tom]

So we moved to Seattle and we, we stayed there for two Years, my mom became an assistant or, like, she answered the phone at an agency, the Lola Holloway Agency.

[Danielle Fishel]

I remember that name.

[Nicole Tom]

Met my. This guy Michael, who was really. Who was a commercial agent. He was. He was an agent there, and then he. He would always come down to California for pilot season, like, when there was a pilot season, and he was like, oh, you should. And we were always. Us kids, we were always in acting class. But I was kind of a shy child and sort of.

You know, I guess maybe in my own world a little bit. I. I like to. I like to make believe and climb trees with my hamster and pretend that I was in, like, a different land in my tree house.

[Ryder Strong]

Yes.

[Nicole Tom]

Thank you. And I come up with. And I actually made, like, a fort underneath the house, which I'm like, I can't believe I did that.

[Danielle Fishel]

You were brave.

[Nicole Tom]

I. Yeah. Because there's no way I would go underneath my house now.

[Danielle Fishel]

No, no.

[Nicole Tom]

I used to. In Seattle. Anyways, my. My mom always thought that I was really shy and. But. And so she. But my brother and my sister were really outgoing and they loved it. They were like. They booked commercials and, like, they were really cute kids. And I, like, had a perm and braces and was sort of awkward, you know.

Kind of finding myself.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. As we do.

[Nicole Tom]

Yeah. And so, I mean, I never booked a commercial or anything. And.

So it was really my brother and my sister that. That Michael was like, oh, well, you know, they should come down for pilot season to. To, you know, check it out, see. See what happens. And you can stay with me in his studio apartment with his cat, Twinkle Toes.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, my gosh.

[Nicole Tom]

Was actually nicknamed Tinkle Toes because she peed on everything.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, gosh. Cat pee on everything.

[Nicole Tom]

Yeah.

Anyways, so my mom did that, and she brought my. She brought my brother and my sister because they were, you know, booking commercials and everything. And for the. She pretty much abandoned me.

[Danielle Fishel]

You and your dad in Seattle.

[Nicole Tom]

My dad in Seattle. But it was fine. No, she didn't.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay.

[Nicole Tom]

I'm just joking. And my. My sister ended up. Well, first it was my brother that booked a play during pilot season, which was Hapgood with Judy Davis, and. And then my sister booked who's the Boss?

But she was the first. Danny Pintaro's first kiss.

[Will Friedle]

Oh, cool.

[Nicole Tom]

But as they kept booking things, it kept them. It kept us, you know, them down in California longer. And then finally my mom, you know, was. Came back and got me.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, she's like, I have to go pick up Nicole.

[Nicole Tom]

Yeah. And things weren't all that great. You know, between my mom and my dad, they were, you know, going through some.

You know, hard times.

[Will Friedle]

Okay, sure.

[Nicole Tom]

So it just, it. The more that we started. So then I was put into acting class where. And my sister and my brother were put into acting class as well, where I met Ryder.

[Ryder Strong]

Microspace. Yeah.

[Nicole Tom]

And Shiloh Y. And like, pretty much anybody who was working as a child back in the day with Diane Arden and Nora Eckstein, who were then became our managers and. But I was put into acting class for, like, three years before I was even sent out for anything, because they just, you know, it was like they kind of thought that I was a shy. I mean, when I was brought down to California.

I. I. I sort of, you know, that I would go out at night and, like, climb into the stairwell at the Oak woods and just, like, daydream, like Fifel.

[Will Friedle]

It's not the weirdest thing that happened at the Oak Woods. Not the weirdest thing that happened at.

[Nicole Tom]

The Oak woods, yeah. And did you.

[Will Friedle]

I mean, did you want to act or. Okay. So you did. Okay.

[Nicole Tom]

Yeah. We used to put on plays back in Seattle. We had this Muppet book. Do you know of the book? It's the Great Muppet Book. And it had, like, all of the Muppets.

Scenes, like, in it where Kermit says this and, you know, Miss Piggy says that, and then. And Gonzo. And I was. I was always the initiator of, like, oh, let's do it. Like, let's do one of the plays from the Muffet Butt. And so I was always interested in it. Yeah. But I. But I don't think that my. I mean, the people, they didn't really see it in.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. You weren't the most obvious choice.

[Nicole Tom]

Right. Because I was kind of shy.

[Danielle Fishel]

Shy and in your own. In your own world.

[Nicole Tom]

Yeah. And so Gary Spatz, I was in. Were you having Gary Spatz's class? Writer?

[Ryder Strong]

No. No.

[Nicole Tom]

Well, he.

He was in contact with Judy Savage, who was our first agent. Was she your first agent?

[Ryder Strong]

Oh, yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Not my. She was writer's first agent. She was not my first agent. I was with Kelman Arletta first, but then when I was. When I was on Boy Meets World, then I signed with.

[Ryder Strong]

We roped her into Judy.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, really?

[Nicole Tom]

Yeah, she just. She had everybody.

[Danielle Fishel]

She's the greatest.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

So when you did start acting, did you find yourself competitive with your siblings at all, or. No.

[Nicole Tom]

I never was. I. I don't. I don't think so, because my sister was always. We're so Different. I mean, me and my sister, like, completely different.

[Will Friedle]

Right?

[Nicole Tom]

My sister.

I mean, she's. I guess maybe I'm like a big kid at heart. I really am.

[Will Friedle]

That's me.

[Nicole Tom]

Yeah.

But I, you know, I embrace that. I love. I. I have, like, very young energy. My sister has always been like the older sister, you know, the matriarch of the family. Just always been more serious.

[Will Friedle]

And she was the firstborn, right?

[Nicole Tom]

Yes.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah, that's that kind of.

[Nicole Tom]

You.

[Will Friedle]

You have that kind of archetype where it's. The firstborn always tends to take on that. The responsible role. And they're. They're adults. From the time that they're, you know, even kids, they. They embrace being an adult at an early age. I think that's. That's pretty normal. My brother's like that, too.

[Nicole Tom]

Yeah, your older brother?

[Will Friedle]

Yeah, my oldest brother. He.

[Danielle Fishel]

He.

[Will Friedle]

He instantly took that kind of adult role right away.

[Danielle Fishel]

So how shortly after you end up making your way out to LA and you're staying at the Oakwoods, how shortly after do you start guest starring on shows like Fresh Prince and Beverly Hills 90210?

[Nicole Tom]

Well, okay, so I was put into acting class for three years, and then finally somebody believed in me. And they're like, you know what? She's ready. She's ready to be out. And thank God that they did wait for me, because I probably wasn't ready to start auditioning, you know, and then when I did, I.

My. My first audition was for I'll Fly Away, which was a TV show, and I. I went to network on it. I was like, gosh, this is easy.

But I didn't get it. And. And then my second audition was for Beethoven.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, my gosh. My second audition.

[Nicole Tom]

Yeah. And I auditioned. I auditioned a few times for that, and.

God, it was. Started everything, because then I. Then after that, I auditioned for. But then, you know, the Fresh Prince came along. And it's so random, though, because there's so many weird connections in my life.

My sister's first job, who's the Boss? The people from who's the Boss? Rob Stern and Prudence Frazier, they were the showrunners, or I think they were the showrunners of who's the Boss? But then they moved on to the Nanny, and they were.

Creators with Fran and Peter for the Nanny, so it's like there's that weird connection. And then the Fresh Prince, when I got. Or when I got Beethoven, the wardrobe stylist was Terry, and I can't remember her last name right now.

But she was the wardrobe stylist on the Nanny, the first one. She worked with Brenda Cooper and then Fresh Prince of Bel Air.

The director of the episode that I was in.

Lee Shallet.

[Will Friedle]

Lee Shalot Chemel. Lee Shalot Chemmel is great. Yeah, she's wonderful.

[Nicole Tom]

Yeah. She directed the first full season of the Nanny.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, wow. So everything ended up leading toward the Nanny.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Lee's amazing. She's, you know, she's also, at the time, especially back in the day, was one of the few female sitcom directors. And I had the honor of working with her once, and she was just. She found jokes where there just weren't any and knew exactly how to block everything. She was really phenomenal at her job.

[Nicole Tom]

She was. I. I absolutely loved her. And I can't believe that they.

That they hired me. I auditioned nine times for the Nanny.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, my gosh. Wait, before we get into the Nanny, I still want to talk about Beethoven. I want everyone to know it's a St. Bernard fronted blockbuster family movie. It made almost $150 million worldwide.

[Will Friedle]

That's in dog dollars.

[Ryder Strong]

Wow.

[Danielle Fishel]

Now you're acting with Charles Grodin, Bonnie Hunt, Steve Stanley Tucci, and yes, an adorably big dog. People always say to never work with kids and animals. Now, you were a kid at the time, so what was it like filming with a dog?

[Nicole Tom]

It was like a dream come true.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Nicole Tom]

I mean, it just was a dream come true because I just. I love animals so much. I've always loved animals, like, you know, from my hamsters to my poodles. Just I. Where is Mr. Potts?

[Danielle Fishel]

Mr. Potts? Who's that?

[Nicole Tom]

Mr. Potts is my poodle.

[Will Friedle]

Hold on.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, he's so cute. Mr. Potts.

[Nicole Tom]

He is so cute. He's a little star.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Will Friedle]

You can tell.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. Not as big as Beethoven, but. Did. Did.

[Podcast Announcer]

When.

[Danielle Fishel]

So while you were doing Beethoven, did you ever expect it to be as big of a movie as it was?

[Nicole Tom]

No. No, I didn't.

[Danielle Fishel]

How could you?

[Nicole Tom]

No idea. Like, I. I was just having fun like, I used to. I became really good friends with Jason Reitman.

[Will Friedle]

Oh, okay, sure.

[Nicole Tom]

Steal the golf carts.

And go, like, riding around on the golf carts on the lot, which was like. I mean, it's just. It's like every kid's dream to be able to. We snuck into Universal Studios and.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah, I remember when you could. When you could figure out that area was.

[Nicole Tom]

Yeah, yeah. And. And. And just to be able to. I mean, I always wanted to, you know, take over an amusement park as a kid.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Will Friedle]

I'VE done it.

[Podcast Announcer]

You have?

[Will Friedle]

I did. I did. My. I was on Nickelodeon at the time, and they were opening Universal Studios in Florida. And so the show I was on, the four hosts and I, they sent us down there six weeks before the park opened. And every day, our job was just to go to the empty park and ride all the rides and film. They filmed us while doing it. So my three friends and I had an amusement park to ourselves for, like, almost six weeks.

[Nicole Tom]

Oh, my gosh.

You could just ride all the rides.

[Will Friedle]

Over and over to the point where we were sick of them. Where it was like, I can't believe I have to go on ET 93 times again today. It was. It was really. It was truly amazing. But about Beethoven, I have a question, because Charles Grodin is, like, one of my favorite actors of all time, and in my opinion, should be on the list of the most underrated actors of all time. What was it like working with him?

[Sophie Cunningham]

It was.

[Nicole Tom]

It was amazing. Like, I mean, I had no idea that he. He actually.

I think he said in some interview that he should. The two things that you should never do are work with animals or kids. And. But when I worked with them, and it was like, just a.

[Danielle Fishel]

It was.

[Nicole Tom]

He was so kind.

It was a brilliant experience, the whole. The whole thing, like, working with the animals. And I remember one time. I don't know how he felt about. About this one moment that we had, but they used to, you know, they built the entire home, Beethoven's house, on the soundstage. And so it was kind of, like, lifted up off of the. Off of the ground. So there was, like, a ledge around the house, and then the house was, like, built on top of it. So there's, like, this. The edge of the ledge where the director, like, call day. A meeting for everybody to, you know, sit. And I think it was like a safety meeting. Might have been a safety meeting. It was like, right when we first started working and Charles Grodin was sitting on the edge with his, like, feet dangling off of it, and I was standing behind him kind of just like, you know, playing with his hair and stuff. And. And the director was talking to us and explaining what was going to be going on for the day. And. And I looked down at.

His hair, and I noticed, like, this.

Netting.

[Ryder Strong]

Oh, no.

[Nicole Tom]

And I. So I immediately stopped playing with it. But he probably was so like, what is she doing?

[Danielle Fishel]

Get your hands out of my hand. This is why you don't work with kids or animals.

[Ryder Strong]

Oh, my God.

[Nicole Tom]

He never said anything about it. He Never even, like, flinched or Right. You know, was like.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Will Friedle]

Toupee.

Thank you.

[Ryder Strong]

It must have been, like, a pretty tedious set for the adults. I mean, because how many dogs did you guys actually have? Do you remember?

[Nicole Tom]

First one, there was, like, 250.

Different dogs. And then the.

[Sophie Cunningham]

Yeah.

[Nicole Tom]

Well, the puppy, Beethoven, kept on growing. Growing up by the day.

[Sophie Cunningham]

Yeah.

[Nicole Tom]

So. And so that in the second. The second movie, there were so many dogs because they. Puppies grow fast.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah. What an insane set.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, my gosh.

[Ryder Strong]

But you had no idea.

[Will Friedle]

You.

[Ryder Strong]

It was probably an insane set, but you were just totally in it and having the best time.

[Nicole Tom]

Yeah, well, you couldn't. You couldn't, you know, just go up and pet Beethoven. He had his own dressing room, his own, like, air conditioner.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah.

[Nicole Tom]

And the same trainer who trained the animals for Babe.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. Yeah. Pig in the City. We love that movie.

[Nicole Tom]

Yeah.

[Podcast Announcer]

Yeah.

[Will Friedle]

That's a big one for us here.

[Nicole Tom]

Yeah.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah.

[Will Friedle]

Oh, man. Yeah.

[Ryder Strong]

I can't, man.

[Will Friedle]

That's a lot of dogs to have around you. And you're right. They do grow all the time. But that's got to just be crazy to not actually. Because all you'd want to do. If I'm around 250 puppies, I want to lay on the ground and I want to have them cover me with kisses. So the idea that you can't do that would. Would suck a little bit.

[Sophie Cunningham]

Yeah.

[Nicole Tom]

And they always smelled like baby food, too, because whenever they would get the, you know, whatever, Beethoven had to kiss us or. Or. Or anything, they would put chicken baby food behind our ear.

[Will Friedle]

Oh.

[Nicole Tom]

And. And then they, you know, they would.

[Danielle Fishel]

Then I think you're the one who smells like baby food, not Beethoven.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah. Fox smells his own hole first, so.

[Nicole Tom]

Yes. Yeah, maybe. Yeah, maybe it was my.

[Will Friedle]

And it's still. It's one of the greatest sequel titles ever. Beethoven 2nd is truly one of the best. The best titles for any sequel that has ever happened. It's phenomenal.

[Danielle Fishel]

I'm Kristen Davis, host of the podcast Are youe a Charlotte? The most anticipated guest from season three is here. The Trey to my Charlotte. Kyle MacLachlan joins me to relive all of the magical Trey and Charlotte moments. He reveals what he thinks of Trey giving Charlotte a cardboard baby.

[Will Friedle]

Why would I bring her a cardboard baby?

[Ryder Strong]

I was literally.

[Will Friedle]

I was like, this doesn't track for me at all.

[Danielle Fishel]

When he found out Trey's shortcomings, I'm.

[Will Friedle]

Kind of excited to talk about.

[Ryder Strong]

You know, I think he's.

[Will Friedle]

He's a guy who spends time in Central park, you know, he's probably going to be some surgery stuff, you know.

[Nicole Tom]

And I was like, all this kind.

[Ryder Strong]

Of stuff going on.

[Will Friedle]

And they were like, yeah, yeah, yeah, fine. And they said but he's impotent. And I was like, he's impotent?

[Danielle Fishel]

And why he chose not to return to in just like that.

[Will Friedle]

They came and presented an idea and I was like, I get. I see it. It's kind of a one joke idea.

[Danielle Fishel]

You don't want to miss this. Listen to Are youe a Charlotte? On the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Every year I say I'm going to find the perfect holiday gift for friends and family. And then suddenly it's December 22nd, 8pm and I'm panic buying a candle called Garage Sale Mystery Box.

[Will Friedle]

The goal is always the same. It must be personal, but not weirdly personal. It needs to convey I care about you, but not I had this custom.

[Danielle Fishel]

Carved with your baby teeth and this is why Aura Frames is the answer to the entire crisis. It's the easiest gift to give. I got one last year from my mom and dad and I swear it has changed their lives.

[Ryder Strong]

You can preload photos before it ships so it arrives already special with all your favorite memories ready to digitally display. Add pics of your kids, your dog that time of birthday cake lit your hair on fire.

[Will Friedle]

And then you just keep adding pics all year long straight from your phone and everyone can see them. Well, I mean the ones you want them to see.

[Danielle Fishel]

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[Ryder Strong]

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[Danielle Fishel]

It's the gift that keeps giving. No complicated setup either. Anyone can do it. Wifi app done.

[Ryder Strong]

Honestly, it makes holiday shopping easier because it's so thoughtful. Without much work on your end, it looks like you planned ahead even if you definitely did not.

[Will Friedle]

Don't wait. Win the holidays now with Aura Frames.

[Danielle Fishel]

For a limited time, save on the perfect gift by visiting auraframes.com to get $35 off Aura's best selling Carver mat frames named number one by Wirecutter by using promo code podmeetsworld at checkout.

[Ryder Strong]

That's a U R A frames.com promo code podmeetsworld.

[Will Friedle]

This deal is exclusive to listeners and frames sell out fast, so order yours now to get it in time for the holidays.

[Danielle Fishel]

Support the show by mentioning us at checkout. Terms and conditions apply. Okay, so this holiday season is giving famous. Trust me, I'm a famous person, so I would know. And it's thanks to Famous Footwear. They've got all the top gifts from Jordan, Fry and co. Adidas, Nike, Birkenstock, Timberland. Basically every brand that makes people go oh wow, you really love me. I'm a big famous Footwear fan because the deals are real and the selection does not play around online or in store. You can outfit your entire family in one trip, which for me means my kids get their cool shoes only wish list. My husband gets his. I'm outdoorsy but not too outdoorsy Timberlands and I get something cozy that says I survived the end of the year rush because we all know holidays are chaos disguised as glitter. And thanks to famous footwear, I can shop online in one of their 800 stores or have shoes delivered same day with doordash. They are truly a holiday miracle. Buy one pair, get one half off at your local famous footwear or famous.com Some exclusions apply. I'm Danielle Fishel Ryder Strong and Will.

[Will Friedle]

Friedle from Pod Meets World.

[Danielle Fishel]

Whether you're a seasoned small business owner or thinking about getting started, you will definitely want to check out season four of Mind the Business small business success stories from iHeartMedia's Ruby Studio and Intuit QuickBooks.

[Ryder Strong]

Mind the Business is part entertainment, part instruction manual, part inspiration. Each episode features practical tips and success stories that will resonate with entrepreneurs in any industry.

[Will Friedle]

In this latest season, hosts Austin Hankwitz and Janice Torres are covering topics on the forefront of running a small business.

[Danielle Fishel]

They're talking to self starters about everything from how AI helps them work smarter to weathering market uncertainties and enjoying the benefits of being your own boss and using Intuit QuickBooks to help you get more done in less time. You won't want to miss it.

[Will Friedle]

Listen to Mind the Business Small Business Success stories on the iHeart app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Podcast Announcer]

20Th Century Studios presents the upcoming comedy Ella McKay from Academy Award winning writer director James L. Brooks whose legendary credits include as Good as It Gets, Terms of Endearment, Broadcast News and the Simpsons. Emma Mackey plays Ella McKay, a passionate, idealistic young woman who juggles her family and work life in a heartfelt comedy brimming with hope about the people you love and how to survive them. Ella is highly intelligent and caring, finding purpose in taking care of and defending others, whether that be the public or even more difficult her family. Ella McKay features an all star cast including Emma Mackey, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jack Loudon, Kumail Nanjiani, Ayo Adebiri, Julie Kavner, Spike Fern, Rebecca hall with Albert Brooks and Woody Harrelson. It's A perfect holiday comedy about an imperfect family. Ella McKay. Only in theaters this Friday. Get your tickets now.

[Sophie Cunningham]

This is Sophie Cunningham from Show Me Something. Do you know the symptoms of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, or osa, in adults with obesity? They may be happening to you without you knowing. If anyone has ever said you snored loudly, or if you spend your days fighting off excessive tiredness, irritability, and concentration issues, it may be due to osa. OSA is a serious condition where your airway partially or completely collapses during sleep, which may cause breathing interruptions and oxygen deprivation. Learn more at don'tsleep on OSA.com this information is provided by Lilly, a medicine company.

[Danielle Fishel]

So at this point, now you're in, like, the biggest family movie of the year. What was the reaction like back at home where you had to escape Illinois after a stock market crash?

[Nicole Tom]

Oh, my gosh, I'm such an oversharer.

That's why I, I don't do many podcasts.

It was, it was, you know, because I was, I didn't really change. I've always been, I've always just wanted friends, like, so much. I went to the same junior high and, and high school. I went to South Pass junior High.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay.

[Nicole Tom]

And.

Oh, gosh, you know who else went to that, that same high school?

[Danielle Fishel]

Who?

[Nicole Tom]

Well, Edward Furlong.

[Will Friedle]

Oh, okay.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Nicole Tom]

Edward Furlong went there. And Jaleel White. Yes, there. Hillary Swank actually lived with my family.

[Will Friedle]

Oh, cool.

[Nicole Tom]

First came down and Sadie Kretzik. I mean, it was really, it was jam packed in the studio. Like, after we started working, we moved into.

A one, like a two bedroom apartment in South Pasadena.

[Will Friedle]

Wait, I'm sorry. How many of you were in the studio apartment with this one guy?

[Nicole Tom]

It was me. I slept on a chair for six months.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, my gosh. As a child, how old were you?

[Nicole Tom]

My brother, my sister Sadie came down with us. And Michael and the cat, you know, twinkle twinkle toast, tinkle toes and my poodle at the time, Brandy.

[Will Friedle]

So there's, there's like six people and two animals and your mom. Okay, so seven people and two animals in a studio apartment.

[Nicole Tom]

Yes. Wow.

[Will Friedle]

That's not a chair.

[Nicole Tom]

It was crazy. And then, you know, Michael was an agent, so he was submitting people for auditions. And so. And back in the day, you had to mail everything, so.

[Will Friedle]

Right.

[Nicole Tom]

There were a million headshots, like just everywhere. You know, you have to put them in the, the envelopes and label them all. We were kind of like, you know, we were, it was A what is it, a line of assembly?

[Will Friedle]

Yeah, assembly line. Yeah, geez.

[Nicole Tom]

Assembly line of mailing out the breakdowns.

[Ryder Strong]

Oh, my God.

[Danielle Fishel]

So then you're 15 when you audition for Maggie Sheffield. Do you remember the audition for the nanny?

[Nicole Tom]

Yes, I do. I remember all of the auditions. Well, most of them. The first time I met Fran, I thought that she was the casting director.

No, I didn't know anything. I'd never seen any of her movies. And I remember going out and talking to my mom and be like, that casting director.

She's first voice.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, my God.

[Nicole Tom]

Like, oh, my gosh. I've never. But it's really hard to, you know, listen to. It was like, oh, my gosh. Yeah. And then I found out that that was, that was Fran. That was the, you know, I, I, I had no idea.

[Danielle Fishel]

And so funny.

[Nicole Tom]

Yeah, I.

One time they, When I went in for the audition, I used to wear a lot of vests, and that was.

[Danielle Fishel]

A big, that was a big thing back then.

[Will Friedle]

90S. Yeah, it was the 90s.

[Nicole Tom]

Yeah. Vests and like, oversized shirts and maybe.

[Danielle Fishel]

A bucket hat here and there.

[Will Friedle]

Oh, what is a bucket hat?

[Ryder Strong]

The hat with the flower, like the blossom hat.

[Will Friedle]

Oh, that's a bucket hat.

[Ryder Strong]

Okay.

[Nicole Tom]

This was.

This is a play that I did with Ryder.

[Ryder Strong]

Yes. Oh, you got it.

[Nicole Tom]

Oh, gosh. And this is one of my.

[Will Friedle]

Oh, it's full blossom. You've gone full blossom there.

[Nicole Tom]

I see that full blossom hat on there.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah.

[Nicole Tom]

Shiloh has the bandana, of course. I mean, writer's the most normal, and that's saying something.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah.

Shiloh took off his bowler hat for.

[Will Friedle]

That photo shoot, and it took off his fishing vest.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah. He's probably still wearing the overalls, though.

[Nicole Tom]

Oh, yeah, that was. I don't know when I think that. How old were we?

[Ryder Strong]

I was 95, so I would have been 15, I think you're the same age as Shiloh. Right. So you were probably. Yeah, so.

17. You were probably 16 or 17.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. So what was the set of the Nanny like? Was it family friendly? Was it tense? What was it like?

[Nicole Tom]

Oh, gosh, it was. I, it was. Oh, it was my childhood. You know, we were, we were the.

Definitely. You know, we were the kids show, and then there was the adults and, you know, the bosses, and, you know, we were in school and it was always very.

Oh, God, I loved going to the wardrobe room and fitted for, like, all of the clothes were so just amazing, like, every single week. I just, I remember that. I remember sitting in the, like, when the audience was there. I Would go and sit in the.

The living room. They have this huge fluffy couch that was all feathered down and it was, it was beautiful. After the pilot of the Nanny, the. The set had a major redo when we, when we got picked up.

And this couch was so comfortable. I would love to sit on it. But the, I don't think the stage, you know, the stage guy or the, the stage manager. Yeah, the stage manager or the, the guy who was in charge of the sets.

[Sophie Cunningham]

Yeah.

[Nicole Tom]

I don't think he. He didn't like me sitting on the couch because those, those feather down cushions are so heavy.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Nicole Tom]

To fluff and puff. And then he would have to fluff and puff it.

[Danielle Fishel]

Right. And you were like taking a nap on it every day.

[Nicole Tom]

Yeah, yeah. But I would like to like, kind of sneak into the living room. Set was right in front of the audience, but whenever they weren't in that scene, I would, I would sit like on the stairs and just like, watch the audience and just kind of like in the dark when the set wasn't lit up. I remember, oh, gosh, the craft service was so good.

[Will Friedle]

And that's how people remember so much from all their shows when they were kids. It's just like how good the craft service tables were.

[Nicole Tom]

They would have bagels and lox like every morning. And, you know, that's where I learned that, you know, there's really. Everybody has their own way of making their own bagel.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Will Friedle]

Oh, yeah. Very personal thing, the bagel make. Very personal thing, the bagel make.

[Nicole Tom]

Can't have somebody, you know, make my bagel for me.

[Will Friedle]

I know.

[Nicole Tom]

God, the stuff on it. My important stuff.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Will Friedle]

It's got to be in the right order. It's got to be the right amount ratio. The ratio has to be right. Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

That's how I feel about peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

[Will Friedle]

Like, I feel the same way. To keep your hands off. They've got to be done exactly the right way. Yep.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. When was the last time you watched the Nanny? Do you have a favorite episode?

[Nicole Tom]

Gosh.

I, I always loved the. The gym episode where I was with. Where Rita Moreno was my gym teacher.

[Will Friedle]

Oh, cool. Casting Moreno. Awesome.

[Nicole Tom]

But, yeah, I had a lot of fun with that. And then I had to. In one of the scenes, I had to climb up this rope ladder, which I've never been good at, like, ever. I. I'm just like, I don't really have the arm strengths. I've got really little wrists and. And I can't, like, wrap my. I was A very skinny kid.

[Danielle Fishel]

You weren't an athlete.

[Nicole Tom]

Yeah, so I. I didn't have anything to, like, grasp the rope with. Like, I don't know how to, like, climb up the rope, but they wanted me to, like, to slide down the rope.

[Will Friedle]

Oh, that can burn, too.

[Nicole Tom]

Yeah, well, I had pants on.

[Will Friedle]

Oh, good. Okay. Yeah, that can burn.

[Nicole Tom]

But in order to get the shot, they had to hoist me up onto the. The rope. So I was, like, just out of frame. Yeah, my. With my legs, like, you know, sideways, like when they yelled at you, and supposedly. Just slide down the rope. Well, I couldn't get up there out of frame, so actually, Peter Marc Jacobs, Fran's husband, came and hoisted me up.

The ladder, and, like, I. So he was, like, holding me up there on the rope.

[Danielle Fishel]

Why did Fran's husband need to do this? Why was there not someone who was a part of production that could have helped you with this?

[Nicole Tom]

No idea.

[Danielle Fishel]

Sounds like this should have been, like. That's what rehearsals for stunt coordinators are for something.

[Nicole Tom]

Yeah, I was like, oh, my gosh, this is so ridiculous. Like, because I'm up there on the. On the rope, and he's, like, holding me up there with his hands, and I'm trying my best to hold on for as long as I can, and then he, like, runs out of frame real quick to get the shot. Wow. It was just. I couldn't stop laughing at one point, but then I. You know, I got it and I. They did the shot, made it into the episode.

[Will Friedle]

Oh, that's good. Now, how long did the nanny go for?

[Nicole Tom]

It went for six years.

[Will Friedle]

Six seasons. Wow.

[Danielle Fishel]

Long time.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah. And this was. It was NBC, right?

[Nicole Tom]

It was cbs.

[Will Friedle]

Cbs. Cbs. Okay. Right, right, right.

[Nicole Tom]

Okay.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah. They had a solid lineup back in the day.

[Sophie Cunningham]

Yeah.

[Nicole Tom]

You know, truthfully, the. A lot of the actors or, you know, the people on the show frightened me as a child. Really, really scared me. But totally because, like, just because the personalities were so. I just, like, I looked up to them so much.

[Ryder Strong]

Sure.

[Nicole Tom]

I. I admire. Like, I just.

I respected them so much, so that's why they were. I don't know if that makes any sense. That's why. Intimidating?

[Will Friedle]

Yeah.

[Nicole Tom]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Nicole Tom]

I think I was, like, truly intimidated, and so I was, like, scared a little bit. Like. But another weird connection is that yet Grandma Yetta is the mother of Nora Eckstein, who was my acting teacher at Young Actors Space.

[Will Friedle]

Oh, yeah. It all does come. It's actually. It seems like it's a huge business, but it's a. It's A lot smaller than you think, actually. The same kind of people seem to filter in and out and know each other and. Yeah, it's really interesting.

[Danielle Fishel]

Well, you also did Beethoven II, which we talked about. We had. You had a four episode arc on Beverly Hills 90210 around the same time. Right in the peak of that phenomenon as well. What was your experience on that set like?

[Nicole Tom]

Oh, gosh, I was so excited to get that. That part. I.

I had to.

My did my makeup for the, for the audition because the first time I went in I was like, sweet. Because Sue Scanlon was.

Good girl by night, bad girl by day. Oh, some outfits on that show though too are just like, whoa. I look back, I'm like, oh my again. But yes, working on that set was.

I was warned, you know, before I went on to. Onto the set because there was, there was a lot of drama, a lot.

[Danielle Fishel]

Of tension and drama.

[Will Friedle]

Sure. Yeah. That's famous. It's a famous set for that.

[Nicole Tom]

Yeah.

And so I was, I was warned about.

Like arguments, you know, and things my brother had actually done. He got a show that didn't get picked up called Brand New Life and Jenny Garth was in that on that. So I was really looking forward to seeing her again. I don't know. I don't know if she remembered. I think she remembered me. Yeah, but from the Brand New Life. But anyway, everybody was really super sweet to me. Oh, that's, that's good on the set. Oh, my gosh. I. Yeah, I ended up working with.

Brian Austin Green and a few movies of the week after that.

[Danielle Fishel]

Hey, it's Will Friedle and Sabrina Bryant.

[Will Friedle]

From the podcast Magical Rewind. And we have a very special guest on this week's episode. He's the mastermind behind some of your favorite movies like Hocus Pocus, Newsies, the Descendants, and of course, High School Musical. Yes, it is the one and only a living legend, director Kenny Ortega.

[Danielle Fishel]

We sit down with Kenny to talk about his incredible career and the legacy he's created with his choreography and films.

[Will Friedle]

You seriously will not want to miss this one.

[Danielle Fishel]

Listen to Magical rewind on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hi, it's Jenny Garth, host of the I Choose Me podcast. This week I'm so excited to welcome.

[Podcast Announcer]

My friend Gabrielle Carteris, the Andrea Zuckerman.

[Danielle Fishel]

From Beverly Hills 90210 to the pod we're choosing to get real.

[Nicole Tom]

I lied to the networks about my aging context contracts.

[Danielle Fishel]

They never would have hired me if they had known my age. We're choosing to be honest.

[Nicole Tom]

She looked at me and she said this business is about ass, which you have neither of.

[Danielle Fishel]

And we're choosing to get nostalgic. Listen to I choose me on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Okay, so this holiday season is giving famous. Trust me, I'm a famous person so I would know. And it's thanks to Famous Footwear. They've got all the top gifts from Jordan Fry and company, Adidas, Nike, Birkenstock, Timberland, basically every brand that makes people go, oh wow, you really love me. I'm a big Famous Footwear fan because the deals are real and the selection does not play around online or in store. You can outfit your entire family in one trip, which for me means my kids get their cool shoes only wish list. My husband gets his. I'm outdoorsy but not too outdoorsy. Timberlands and I get something cozy that says I survived the end of the year rush because we all know holidays are chaos disguised as glitter. And thanks to Famous Footwear, I can shop online in one of their 800 stores or have shoes delivered same day with doordash. They are truly a holiday miracle. Buy one pair, get one half off at your local famous footwear or famous.com Some exclusions apply. I'm Danielle Fishel Ryder Strong and Will.

[Will Friedle]

Friedle from Pod Meets World.

[Danielle Fishel]

Whether you're a seasoned small business owner or thinking about getting started, you will definitely want to check out season four of Mind the Business small business success stories from iHeartMedia's Ruby Studio and Intuit QuickBooks.

[Ryder Strong]

Mind the Business is part entertainment, part instruction manual, part inspiration. Each episode features practical tips and success stories that will resonate with entrepreneurs in any industry.

[Will Friedle]

In this latest season, hosts Austin Hankwitz and Janice Torres are covering topics on the forefront of running a small business.

[Danielle Fishel]

They're talking to self starters about everything from how AI helps them work smarter to weathering market uncertainties and enjoying the benefits of being your own boss and using Intuit QuickBooks to help you get more done in less time. You won't want to miss it.

[Will Friedle]

Listen to Mind the Business Small business success stories on the iHeart app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Podcast Announcer]

20Th Century Studios presents the upcoming comedy Ella McKay from Academy Award winning writer director James L. Brooks, whose legendary credits include as Good as It Gets, Terms of Endearment, Broadcast News and the Simpsons. Emma Mackey plays Ella McKay, a passionate, idealistic young woman who juggles her family and work life in A heartfelt comedy brimming with hope about the people you love and how to survive them. Ella is highly intelligent and caring, finding purpose in taking care of and defending others, whether that be the public or even more difficult, her family. Ella McKay features an all star cast including Emma Mackey, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jack Loudon, Kumail Nanjiani, Ayo Adebiri, Julie Kavner, Spike Fern, Rebecca Hall. With Albert Brooks and Woody Harrelson, it's a perfect holiday comedy about an imperfect family. Ella McKay only in theaters this Friday. Get your tickets now.

[Sophie Cunningham]

This is Sophie Cunningham from Show Me Something. Do you know the symptoms of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, or osa, in adults with obesity? They may be happening to you without you knowing. If anyone has ever said you snored loudly, or if you spend your days fighting off excessive tiredness, irritability and concentration issues, it may be due to osa. OSA is a serious condition where your airway partially or completely collapses during sleep, which may cause breathing interruptions and oxygen deprivation. Learn more at. Don't sleep on OSA.com this information is provided by Lilly, a medicine company.

[Danielle Fishel]

Protect your pet with insurance from Pets Best Plans start from less than a dollar a day. Visit petsbest.com Pet insurance products offered and administered by Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC are underwritten by American Pet Insurance Company or Independence American Insurance Company for terms and conditions, visit www.petsbest.com. policy products are underwritten by American Pet Insurance Company, Independence American Insurance Company or Ms. Transverse Insurance Insurance Company and administered by Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC. $1.00 a day premium based on 2024 average new policyholder data for accident and illness plans. Pets age 0 to 10.

Over the years, you've been able to work on projects with your brother and your sister, Heather. Is that. Do you. When you guys work together, does it feel like a dream come true?

[Nicole Tom]

Yeah. I mean, well, I love working with my with my family. It is. It is fun to get that opportunity. My sister and I played twins one time, which is ironic because you are.

[Danielle Fishel]

A twin, but with her brother.

[Nicole Tom]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. We were on Wedding Bells together, which was a David E. Kelly show, and we randomly played twins. I think that my sister and I. I think that my sister and my brother look more like twins than my brother and I.

Which is so random.

But. And then I worked with my brother on Criminal Minds.

[Podcast Announcer]

Okay.

[Nicole Tom]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay. My last question for you, and it might be a difficult question because it probably feels like you have been acting for what feels like many lifetimes But. But if you weren't able to convince your mom to let you become an actor, what job do you think you would have had?

[Nicole Tom]

Oh, gosh, I've thought about this. I don't know. Like, I. I feel like. I mean, as a. As a young kid, I always wanted to be a veterinarian. What kid doesn't?

[Danielle Fishel]

I know. Yeah.

[Nicole Tom]

But then as I.

Grew up, I. I don't think I could take that. That pain of.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah, no, it's animal.

[Nicole Tom]

Explain that all the time. But I've always wanted. I've always loved putting stuff on. Sticking stuff on stuff.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah, I love that. Bedazzling pears, sticky stuff.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah, that's our slogan.

[Nicole Tom]

I've been sticking stuff to stuff all my entire life.

[Danielle Fishel]

I love that.

[Nicole Tom]

I have full. Like, you see those things right there? Yeah, yeah, yeah, Right there.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah.

[Nicole Tom]

That is my.

[Danielle Fishel]

That's just little stuff.

[Nicole Tom]

No, that's the larger stuff to stick on stuff. Oh, that's the large color coordinated. And then I've got the smaller and the medium stuff to stick on stuff. But I. I feel like I would have my own store of sorts. Like. Like, I would be.

A business, you.

[Will Friedle]

Know, like a hobby shop or something like that.

[Nicole Tom]

Yeah. Like my own little tea shop or.

[Will Friedle]

Oh, yeah, I can see that.

[Nicole Tom]

Something with.

That. That. That sells, like, vintage, like, weird things. And I make glamps.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Nicole Tom]

Like, I. I know that it would be something really creative.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. I love this. I still think. I think you need to open whatever this is. Whatever this I think you need, because.

[Ryder Strong]

It would look exactly like your room you're in right now. That would be the store stuff.

[Will Friedle]

Chandelier shop.

[Nicole Tom]

Yeah. Well, I mean, this is my garage.

I was thinking about, like, a podcast.

[Will Friedle]

I'd listen.

[Nicole Tom]

Oh, well, with me, I wouldn't want to steal you away from this. Good thing.

[Danielle Fishel]

But don't you dare try to take him from us.

[Nicole Tom]

All right, Danielle, he's stolen.

It would be like crime and crafting.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, I love.

[Will Friedle]

Kind of a great idea.

[Ryder Strong]

Great idea.

[Will Friedle]

So they found. Yeah. They found the body partially decomposed with a beautiful rhinestone buckle.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Nicole Tom]

Yeah.

[Will Friedle]

Nice.

[Nicole Tom]

As. You know. Well, as you're making something, you know, like, it's needle pointing to me, like sequins on stuff is, I would imagine would be like. Like needle pointing crime.

[Will Friedle]

And crafting is actually a brilliant idea for something really great.

[Danielle Fishel]

I was gonna say crime and crafting as a podcast is great idea.

[Nicole Tom]

Somebody doesn't steal it from. From, you know, watching.

[Will Friedle]

That could be the first crime you cover.

[Nicole Tom]

Yeah. I Would.

Oh, my gosh. It just wouldn't be the same without me.

[Danielle Fishel]

No, you're right.

[Will Friedle]

I agree 100%.

[Nicole Tom]

I'll do it. You know, like, where we talk about.

[Danielle Fishel]

Crime shows while working on a project that we have to complete by the time the episode's over.

[Nicole Tom]

Right, Sure.

[Danielle Fishel]

I love this idea.

[Will Friedle]

It's very cute.

[Danielle Fishel]

It's a really good idea. I think we feel we've just helped you workshop this podcast.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Nicole, thank you so much for being here with us. Where can people find you? Where can people find this? Wtf? You selling your stuff? Where can people go to help support you and your projects?

[Nicole Tom]

Well, I did just get. Now I haven't posted anything because I've been so busy this. This last year, because it's just been crazy. But I did just get the stuff to stick on stuff for Instagram.

[Podcast Announcer]

Great.

[Nicole Tom]

Whatever. But the WTF is what I'm doing with my friend Alana, where it's just like. It's actually. It's where to find the weird one of a kind things. So I'm gonna start really helping her out with. With that site.

[Danielle Fishel]

And that's the WTF dot com.

[Nicole Tom]

Yes, the wtf. And then I'm on Instagram, which I haven't posted a lot because it's just been. It's been a really hard year.

But I want to get back into it. And.

My Instagram is just under my name. Nicole Tom. Yeah. N, I, C, H, O L, L, E, T, O, M. I spell my name, misspelling it my entire life.

[Danielle Fishel]

Is that not the way your mom intended it?

[Nicole Tom]

She never corrected me, so maybe.

[Ryder Strong]

Wow.

[Nicole Tom]

The wrong way has actually been the right way.

[Danielle Fishel]

You never know.

[Will Friedle]

I'd also like to pitch you. Call it a true crime Podcraft.

[Nicole Tom]

Oh, wow. I love it.

[Will Friedle]

So there you go.

[Danielle Fishel]

So cute. Just look at him giving you these ideas for free. So generous.

[Nicole Tom]

Maybe you could help me out with that, because I just, like, I have nowhere to.

[Will Friedle]

Well, we'll talk chandelier. I get a good chandelier. We'll figure it out.

[Nicole Tom]

I have. I have plenty.

[Will Friedle]

Okay, good.

[Nicole Tom]

We'll talk what you like.

[Ryder Strong]

I don't know yet.

[Will Friedle]

I got to see what fits with my aesthetic.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah, he's got to go shop. Thank you, Nicole. Thank you for being here with us. It was great to talk with you.

[Ryder Strong]

Good to see you, Nicole. You guys.

[Will Friedle]

Bye.

[Danielle Fishel]

I still want to have my tarot cards read in that room.

[Will Friedle]

She definitely should.

[Ryder Strong]

She could just open up her garage and, yeah, it would probably become the store that she was talking about.

[Danielle Fishel]

That is what she should do. She just open the garage door, put.

[Ryder Strong]

Out a sign and people would start coming.

[Will Friedle]

She's got a tango. She's got to get together and do a podcast. And do a podcast.

[Ryder Strong]

That would be very first season. Topanga Nicole, Tom yeah, hanging out doing tarot readings. Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Thank you all for listening to this episode of Pod Meets World. As always, you can follow us on Instagram Pod Meets World show. You can send us your emails. Pod meets worldshowmail.com and we've got merch.

[Will Friedle]

I'm going to rub some baby food on my neck. Show me that you Love Me merch.

[Danielle Fishel]

Pod meets WorldShow.com writer send us out.

[Ryder Strong]

We love you all. Pod dismissed.

Pod Meets World is an iHeart podcast produced and hosted by Danielle Fishel, Wilfred L And Ryder Smith. Strong executive producers Jensen Karp and Amy Sugarman, executive in charge of production, Danielle Romo, producer and editor Tara Sugbash, producer Matty Moore, engineer and Boy Meets World superman Easton Allen. Our theme song is by Kyle Morton of Typhoon. Follow us on Instagram odmeatsworld show or email us at podmeatsworldshowmail.com.

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[Will Friedle]

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[Danielle Fishel]

So if you're ready to pursue your education goals, Rasmussen is ready to help you take that next step.

[Ryder Strong]

Head on over to Rasmussen. Edu and check out the opportunities waiting for you.

[Will Friedle]

Your future is a bright one. Rasmussen University can help you get there. Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. The holiday season can be exhausting with all the parties and the end of year celebrations. But don't forget to take care of yourself by stocking up on your favorite nutrition products. Now through December 30th. Shop in store and online and save on items like Cliff Snack Bars, Luna Bars, Boost Nutritional Energy Drinks, Premier Protein Shakes, Z Bar Variety Packs, Open Nature Powder and Body Fortress Protein powder offers end December 30th. Restrictions apply. Offers may vary. Visit albertsons or safeway.com for more details.

[Danielle Fishel]

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[Nicole Tom]

Oh boy, where do I even start.

[Danielle Fishel]

With these performance mesh boxer briefs? These boxer briefs are like a magician's trick. You know the one where you go, where did that rabbit come from?

[Nicole Tom]

So if you're looking for underwear that.

[Danielle Fishel]

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[Will Friedle]

What a matchup we got, y'. All. This is that classic HBCU vibe. Non stop action. The band is rocking and the crowd lit Chance echo drum beat everybody showing that school pride Game like this yeah it calls for an ice cold, cold Coca Cola. Ah, crisp and refreshing.

[Ryder Strong]

That's a game changer right there.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah, that taste always hits the right note. Just like the band at halftime. And just like that, we're back at it. Passionate fans, school colors everywhere and an.

[Danielle Fishel]

Ice cold Coca Cola.

[Will Friedle]

That's a winning combo no matter the.

[Ryder Strong]

Sport, no matter the yard Everybody knows.

[Will Friedle]

The fan work is thirsty so grab a Coca Cola and keep that HBCU pride going.

[Sophie Cunningham]

This is Sophie Cunningham from Show Me Something. Do you know the symptoms of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, or osa, in adults with obesity? They may be happening to you without you knowing. If anyone has ever said you snored loudly, or if you spend your days fighting off excessive tiredness, irritability and concentration issues, it may be due to osa. OSA is a serious condition where your airway partially or completely collapses during sleep, which may cause breathing interruptions and oxygen deprivation. Learn more at don'tsleep on OSA.com this information is provided by Lilly, a medicine company.

[Podcast Announcer]

This is an I Heart Podcast. Guaranteed human.