Clarissa, a Crush and Christmas with Melissa Joan Hart

Summary

Sibling Revelry with Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson

Episode: Clarissa, a Crush and Christmas with Melissa Joan Hart

Date: November 17, 2025
Guest: Melissa Joan Hart

---

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, Oliver Hudson sits down for an in-depth, spirited conversation with actress, director, and producer Melissa Joan Hart. They revisit their personal history, including a hilarious “crush” moment, and go deep on growing up in large, blended families, the realities of child stardom, and the joys and struggles of working in show business while raising kids. The episode is bursting with warmth and reveals, peppered with industry insights, real-life parenting moments, and a behind-the-scenes look at their new holiday movie “Merry Little Xmas,” now on Netflix.

---

Main Topics & Key Discussion Points

1. Old Friendships and the Legendary "Crush" ([03:35]-[08:09])

• Oliver opens by jokingly referencing Melissa’s past “crush” on him, leading to a fun, candid exchange about awkward young Hollywood encounters.
• Melissa recounts the embarrassment she felt after putting her foot in her mouth at a Sunset Boulevard club, admitting he was one of the rare people to make her feel tongue-tied.

Quote:
"I put my foot in my mouth and made an absolutely ridiculous comment that didn't even make sense and then backed it up with something more ridiculous. And I was so embarrassed, and I felt like I couldn't recover." – Melissa ([07:01])

2. Working Together on “Merry Little Xmas” ([08:09]-[10:04])

• Discussion on collaborating for the new Netflix Christmas movie, highlighting the fun they had and what it meant for their families.
• Oliver cherishes working alongside his son, sharing how emotional and proud he was to watch him perform.

Quote:
"Watching you be a good dad is even sexier... watching you, like, be a stage dad and be nervous for your son, but then want to help him." – Melissa ([08:29])

3. Parenting, Child Stardom, and Family Legacies ([10:04]-[16:35])

• Oliver talks through the tension of letting kids into the industry, referencing his own parenting and family legacy.
• Melissa shares entering the industry at age 4, aiming to hear her name on “Romper Room,” leading to a cascade of commercials and TV roles.
• Reflections on financial realities for child actors and supportive but pragmatic parents.

Notable Segment:
Melissa's story of booking commercials to earn a clubhouse, highlighting her work ethic from a very young age ([15:00]).

4. Sibling Dynamics & Family Background ([23:14]-[29:22])

• Melissa opens up about her Long Island upbringing as the oldest of five (eventually seven) in a blended, free-spirited family.
• Describes her parents as hippies, the diverse paths her siblings took, and explorations in family history that deepened appreciation for her maritime roots.

Quote:
"My parents were hippies…growing their own garden. My mom would go get goat's milk for my sister because she had allergies. I was the oldest..." – Melissa ([23:35])

• Discusses how each sibling found their own lane: Melissa ("the talented one"), her sister Trisha ("the smart one"), and others.
• Explores jealousy, sibling rivalry, and eventual acceptance of everyone’s unique direction.

5. The Move from East Coast to LA & Life in the Spotlight ([29:22]-[38:33])

• The logistics and emotions of uprooting a New York family for a Hollywood career.
• Transitioning from “Clarissa Explains It All” to “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” and what those work environments required.
• Differences in recognition and the realities of early fame, imposter syndrome, and the benefits of being in a big, supportive family.

Quote:
"I always wanted them to look at me. I didn’t want to do anything that would embarrass them or hurt them…even when I did Maxim magazine once…Playboy magazine came and asked me...I can't do it because I don't want my brother to be hurt by that." – Melissa ([38:06])

6. Navigating Fame, Finding Balance, and Raising Kids ([42:23]-[53:13])

• Melissa reflects on harnessing fame for fun experiences rather than for ego or indulgence.
• Discussion on being a working mom, juggling shooting schedules on both coasts, and the personal sacrifices and joys.
• The universal challenges of parenthood, especially with teenage boys growing increasingly independent.

Quote:
"I can be all in as a full-time mom and then I'm all in as an actor when I leave and I go on a project...But there's an end in sight, too. I don't know if I’d want a job where it's like year after year going to the same office." – Melissa ([51:02])

7. Producing & Directing: Finding Creative Fulfillment ([54:54]-[59:26])

• Talks about transitioning into producing at a young age (starting with “Sabrina”), directing for efficiency and creative control, and breaking into genres like Christmas movies and true crime.
• Recounts earning her DGA card, being mentored, and ultimately directing episodes of “Sabrina,” “Young Sheldon,” “The Goldbergs,” and more.

Quote:
"When you're directing, you read that script, you get that vision, you make that come true. You're the storyteller, in a sense, and I really connect with that more." – Melissa ([58:26])

8. What’s Next: Developing New Projects and Family Priorities ([59:29]-[61:13])

• Melissa is set on developing more projects—Christmas movies, true crime films, a new sitcom.
• Emphasizes enjoying middle-aged life, being present for her kids as they near adulthood, and pursuing passion projects.

Quote:
"I feel like…the New Yorker in me is more about being a working actor…I'll do craft service. Like, I just love being a part of it…I’m also really enjoying like, middle-aged life with my husband and my kids." – Melissa ([59:55])

9. The New Christmas Movie: “Merry Little Xmas” ([62:22]-[64:13])

• The episode closes with anticipation for their new film, its comedic twist on Christmas movie tropes, and what makes it different.
• Strong emphasis on breaking patterns of rivalry between women characters in holiday films, wanting to evoke the energy of classics like “Elf” and “Home Alone.”

Quote:
"I was a little sick of the vanilla sweet Christmas movies…what I miss are the Christmas Vacations and Elf and Home Alone and that sort of fun-natured movie. And I really wanted to bring more of that back." – Melissa ([63:04])

---

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “[About the crush] There was something about you, you, like, looked at me and I…my brain just rotted for a second…” – Melissa ([07:27])
• “Just watching you be a good dad is even sexier.” – Melissa ([08:29])
• “My parents were hippies…growing their own garden…my mom would go get goat’s milk…” – Melissa ([23:35])
• “We were the kind of hippies that had the beads hanging in the kitchen, you know, curtain.” – Melissa ([23:37])
• “Being the oldest of so many siblings, I was so responsible…I didn’t want to do anything that would embarrass them.” – Melissa ([37:26])
• “If you’re just reaching for fame, that’s not the right reason to do this because it comes and goes and comes and goes…” – Melissa ([39:35])
• “I feel like…middle-aged life with my husband and my kids. And I don’t want to miss…all the…stuff with them.” – Melissa ([59:55])
• “What I miss about Christmas movies is the comedy…I really wanted to bring more of that back to a movie.” – Melissa ([63:04])

---

Key Timestamps

• 00:00-03:00: Intros & ads (skipped)
• 03:35-08:09: The “crush” story and first impressions
• 08:09-13:49: Working together, industry kids, and parenting in showbiz
• 13:49-16:35: Melissa’s early career, Romper Room, commercials
• 23:14-29:22: Sibling stories, family background, and dynamics
• 29:22-38:33: East to West Coast, life in the spotlight, shifting shows
• 42:23-53:13: Managing fame, motherhood, and life’s juggling act
• 54:54-59:26: Producing, directing, creative evolution
• 59:29-61:13: Future projects, priorities, middle-aged joy
• 62:22-64:13: About “Merry Little Xmas” and what makes it special

---

Memorable Moments

• Melissa’s heartfelt and humorous recounting of sibling assignments—being “the talented one,” while her sisters staked out “the smart one” and “the weird one” ([28:04]-[28:31]).
• Digging into childhood ambition ("I need to be on TV so Ms. Maryanne says my name!") ([13:27]).
• Discussion of the unusual, hippie upbringing and how its grounding nature influenced her take on fame.
• Reflections on the ups and downs of parental attention, teenage distance, and how relationships with kids change over time ([53:13]-[54:44]).
• Insight into producing Christmas movies to address her own genre cravings ([63:04]).

---

Tone & Language

The tone is informal, candid, and heartfelt. Both Oliver and Melissa joke comfortably, tease, and dive into vulnerable reflections with a conversational, sometimes irreverent humor. Melissa is open about her insecurities and proud moments, offering a genuine window into the realities behind the “child star” narrative. The overall mood is supportive, familial, and real.

---

Conclusion

This episode is a rich blend of nostalgic Hollywood tales, industry wisdom, sibling insights, working-parent realities, holiday movie magic, and plenty of laughs. If you’re a fan of Melissa Joan Hart, 90s TV, sibling stories, or are simply looking for inspiration on balancing creativity with real life, this is a must-listen.

---

Watch “Merry Little Xmas” now streaming on Netflix!

Transcript

[Melissa Joan Hart]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Mark Wilkerson]

This podcast is sponsored by PayPal. Okay, let's talk holiday shopping. From now through December 8th, you can get 20% cash back when you pay in four with PayPal. No fees, no interest. This limited time offer is perfect for the Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals you've been eyeing. Save the offer in the app now. So whether you're shopping for an ugly sweater party or a work gala, PayPal helps you make the most of your money. This holiday expires December 8th. See paypal.com promoterms subject to approval. Learn more at paypal.com payinfor paypal inc. And mls910457 do you actually know Ball?

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Well?

[Cal Penn]

Come prove it with a free $10 from Better Picks, download the better app, pick more or less on players stats, watch the games and win cash. It's that simple. Must be 21 or older in a jurisdiction where better Picks operates, terms and conditions apply. Better Picks Sports just got better hey audiobook lovers, I'm Cal Penn.

[Mark Wilkerson]

I'm Ed Helms.

[Cal Penn]

Ed and I are inviting you to join the best sounding book club you've ever heard with our new podcast, Hearsay. The Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Each week we sit down with your favorite iHeart podcast hosts and some very special guests to discuss the latest and greatest audiobooks from audible.

[Cal Penn]

Listen to Earsay on America's number one podcast network, iHeart. Follow Earsay and start listening on the free iHeartradio app.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Fall is such a great season to travel with my family so we've been talking about a trip to Switzerland because I've actually have never been to Switzerland. Hiking in the Alps, taking those scenic trains, tasting all the chocolate. So when we travel I love staying in an Airbnb. If you're heading out this fall, consider hosting your home on Airbnb. With a co host network. You can have someone local take care of everything while you're gone. Find a co host at Airbnb.

[Annabe Sofa Advertiser]

There's nothing like sinking into luxury. Annabe sofas combine ultimate comfort and design at an affordable price. Annabe has designed the only fully machine washable sofa from top to bottom. The stain resistant performance fabric slipcovers and cloud like frame duvet can go straight into your wash. Perfect for anyone with kids, pets or anyone who loves an easy to clean spray spotless sofa. With a modular design and changeable slipcovers. You can customize your sofa to fit any space and style. Whether you need a single chair, loveseat or a luxuriously large sectional. Anna Bay has you covered. Visit washablesofas.com to upgrade your home. Sofas start at just $699 and right now get early access to Black Friday savings. Up to 60% off store wide with a 30 day money back guarantee. Shop [e-mail] Add a little to your life. Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Hi, I'm Kate Hudson and my name is Oliver Hudson.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

We wanted to do something that highlighted.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Our relationship and what it's like to be siblings. We are. A sibling rivalry.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

No, no sibling rivalry.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Don't do that with your mouth. Sibling revelry.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

That's good.

[Mark Wilkerson]

I just got off my peloton. I'm a major health kick. I'm just trying four, seven days a week of cardio, 45 minutes a day, five days of weights. My man David Allen. Nutrition's hooking me up with supplements. I did blood work, I did stool samples, I did spit, I did piss, I did it all. Peptides are coming my way. I'm just trying to get after it. 49, moving into 50. I think it's time to see what I'm capable of, you know, instead of this back and forth trying to be fit and just going on benders and eating shitty and drinking too much. I'll never give up some of my vices because that's who I am. But it's time. So the peloton, my boy Steve Zim is pumping me, just iron pumps all over the place. I'm gonna get, I'm gonna go get this body scan, this full body scan, MRI thing at this place called Corvita. I just, I just gotta get it, I gotta go get it going anyway. I'm all sweaty and I'm, I, I'm, I've been leaving my, my lady in the waiting room. Very excited to talk to her. Not that I haven't talked to her a ton in the last year. We've known each other for a long ass time. I'm pretty sure she had a crush on me. We're gonna get into that first off, and we did a little bit of a. And we did a little movie together that she produced and she stars in Merry Little Xmas. It's already on Netflix. Check it out. And it's a very sweet Christmas movie. Myself and Elisa Silverstone and my son Wilder Hudson is in it as well. But let's bring her in. Let's bring in Melissa jonhard.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Hi, how are you?

[Mark Wilkerson]

I just got off my peloton.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

I was like, did you just wake Up.

[Mark Wilkerson]

What are you crazy? You have kids, you know, you wake up at 6am Even when they're older now you just wake up.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

I. Oh. And you wake up earlier for some reason. Yeah, I'm in la. I just flew in last night. So we woke up at like 4am and like, my husband came with me for the screening tonight, so.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Oh, fun. Were you in Nashville? Nashville.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

We were in Nashville. We came here. Then we got to go to New York, Philly and New Jersey in the next few days.

[Mark Wilkerson]

So we're really.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Yeah.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Work or play a little bit of all of it.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

We're going to an Eagles game. I gotta go to New York and do some press next week for not only our movie, but also for some brand stuff that I'm. And some charity stuff and.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Cool. I'm heading to New York tomorrow to do so.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Okay. And we'll probably just miss each other.

[Mark Wilkerson]

I know. I know. Well, thanks for coming on. We've known each other for a minute now.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Yeah.

[Mark Wilkerson]

And let's first talk about the crush that you had on me.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Oh, just right in. Just right in. Don't. No. No segue, no ease, you know.

[Mark Wilkerson]

No, of course not. Of course not. No.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Well, I. I was gonna say it's all because of your charm, but I feel like that intro was. Was. Was lacking a little.

[Mark Wilkerson]

We just jump. We just jump right in.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

So it was right around here where I am on Sunset Boulevard, I believe, where we ran into each other at a few clubs. And I don't know how we first met, but I remember there was, like, at least one time where you were there and I had already met you, so I felt comfortable enough going up and saying hi. It was so weird because I'm not. I talk a lot. I don't get shy. I don't not have the words to say. And there was something you just, like. I don't know, you, like, looked at me and I said something ridiculous and then I, like, backed it up with something more. I wish I remember what I said, but it's one of those moments where you're like, I put my foot in my mouth and made an absolutely ridiculous comment that didn't even make sense and then backed it up with something more ridiculous. And I was so embarrassed, and I felt like I couldn't recover. And I just, like, walked away horrified. And ever since then, I've been like, oh, my God, what is it about you that made me, like, get tongue tied and, like, weird? Like, my brain just rotted for a.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Second and I missed those days.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

It Was so funny. And I. I was so nervous working with you on this because I was like, I think I even told my hairdresser. I was like, I don't know what I'm gonna say to him. Like, the last thing I said to him was absolutely ridiculous. Maybe he remembers what it was, but I've made an absolute fool of myself. I hope he doesn't remember, but he might. And then if he does and I like, what if it happens again and I can't talk to him on set?

[Mark Wilkerson]

Funny. And then you realize what an idiot I am.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

And then I was like, you're easy.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Perfect. You're right.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

You're easy.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Well, this is fun. I'm so excited for this movie that we got to do together.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Yeah.

[Mark Wilkerson]

It was such a blast working with my son especially, and seeing everyone just recently again, you know, for press. Truly, what a. What a fun ass time we had. I mean, really, really, really, really fun.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Well, it was so exciting to see you on set. I've told some reporters this so far, and I'll continue to praise you. As far as, like, your son and, like, watching you be a stage dad was so, like. I mean, that if. If women, like, you know, fall down at your knees and get silly around you already, like, just watching you be a good dad is even sexier. And then, like, watching you, like, be a stage dad and, like, be nervous for your son, but then want to help him. And, like, I remember you and your big puffy coat on set being like, I just have to be like, I don't even work today. I just have to be here because of Wilder. And.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Yeah.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

You know, in that moment of, like. Because I know I would be the same way if my kids were on set without me.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Like, oh, yeah, my. Our first day of work, I wasn't working, but I was his chaperone and father, you know, which was so trippy. It was so crazy.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

A new role that you've never.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Yeah. And we've been doing this for so long. You especially, you know, you were acting long before me, but to watch your kid sort of, you know, immerse himself or herself, whoever it is, into your world. Yeah. Whatever occupation that you're in. And if you take pride in what you do and then your child, your kid, is now there with you on set and doing it, you have these moments where you get introspective and you're looking at your boy in my situation, and you're like, I can't believe this is happening. And you completely get filled with emotion, you know, that happens so much so that alone, I mean, was just so special for me because who knows if that'll ever happen again, you know?

[Melissa Joan Hart]

And I was asked, I remember asking you, you. Because I was thinking, put myself in your shoes. Like, my kids have been on set with me for, like, little tiny parts on my TV show or something when we needed a baby or a little kid to run through or someone to say one line. But I'd never been on a set where my kid was working really without me in a sense, like, like on their own. And I remember asking you, like, you know, is this something you want for it? Because I feel like in my case, I would be like, like frustrated between, like, should my kid be doing this or should they not? Like, I know that in your face. It's like you guys are like, legacy. Like, there's a lot of legacy there. But I feel like, I don't know, like, I. I would feel like I'd be like, torn between, like, yeah, they're really good at it, but I don't want them to go down this road. And I remember asking, you're like, no, this is what he wants. So do you still feel that way?

[Mark Wilkerson]

It is a great question, you know, because it's a relevant question. My mom with my sister was, was not going to let her do anything in film or TV until she finished high school and was 18. She could do plays and she could, you know, work on her craft and do, do, do all that. And, and believe me, she was offered a lot of opportunities in that time, but I think instinctively, mom kind of knew that, you know, what the risk reward there. Let's just, let's just hold off. And I always thought the same thing, but I do think it's child to child. Yeah. Wilder had this opportunity. He's 17. He was mature.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Yeah.

[Mark Wilkerson]

I felt like, first of all, there was no chance he was going to get the gig because he had never auditioned. I'm so just. Just do this audition for experience. He ended up getting, having this opportunity to do it, and he did it and it was okay because I, I didn't think. I knew as the kind of person that he is. He's not going to go off the rails.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Yeah.

[Mark Wilkerson]

He's not all of a sudden going to get green dollar sign contacts and bleach his hair blonde and start flipping off the world. You know what I mean?

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Wait, did I not see that on Instagram last night?

[Mark Wilkerson]

Yeah, well, yeah, it's coming. But even Bodhi, my middle one, when he was 10, he did a pilot with me, you know, as a series regular. And it was kind of the same thing. And I was going away against what I thought, how I thought I would parent my kids as far as this industry goes. Now, that being said, my little baby girl, Rio, there's a little bit of a different thing with her, you know, at least that's what I'm feeling, you know, I mean, she did this red carpet for Happy Gilmore 2 with me, and it was. She, like, blew up. Not blew up, but in a sense, you know, I was getting calls because she's on the thing. She looked beautiful, and she was so full of personality. And we get calls from, you know, various big age big companies to, like, being commercials and model. And one, one was a movie to, like, potentially, you know, play Lolita or some. And I'm like, okay, no, this is not happening. We're slowing this way down. Didn't even tell her about it, you know, but she is 12.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Yeah, yeah. And that's the age when they start to want it. Right. And I. I feel like I'm with you and.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Well, how old were you, by the way?

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Well, I was four when I started, but. But we didn't know. We didn't know what the industry was like. We didn't know what it was. My mom. So my story starts with Romper Room. Do you remember the show Romper Room when we were kids?

[Mark Wilkerson]

Hell, yes. Oh, my God.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

And Ms. Maryanne, I think her name was, had the magic mirror and at the end she would say the names, and she never said Melissa. It wasn't a popular name. So I did the math. I was about 4 years old and I did the math and I went, oh, she's saying the names of the kids that are sitting in front of her. I need to get on that show. So she'll say Melissa in the mirror, like, for all Melissa's. Like, I need to do this for all Melissa's.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Right, right.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

And I told my mom, I said, I need to be on tv. And someone in our community had just booked their daughter on a commercial or modeling or something, had an agent. So my mom called them, they told them the agent's number. I went and I went on an audition. And my mom will tell you, my mom, who also produced our movie.

[Mark Wilkerson]

That's right.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Will tell you that I. That we went on the audition. We drove from Long Is island in New York City and could barely afford the tunnel fee and, like, the gas to get to the city and parking and, like, went to the audition and they called and said, okay, we need her to come back for a callback. Which we didn't know what that was, but call back. Come in the city again. My mom's like, okay. Then they called and said, okay. She booked the commercial, and mom said, I'm sorry, I can't afford to get her back to the city. Like, I. I can't keep doing this. And they were like, no, no, you're gonna get paid now. She got the job. And she was like, oh, okay, so someone will pay for my gas when I get there. So we went and I booked the audition. I booked my first, third, and fifth audition. And the next thing I know, I was doing national commercials. And, you know, my dad made me a bet at one point. I said I wanted a clubhouse. He was in construction at the time, and I was like, I want a clubhouse. And he goes, I'll build you a clubhouse when you get two national commercials. He thought it would take me a year or two to do it. I did it within a month.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Yeah.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

He was like, he had to build me a clubhouse. It still stands today. No, that clubhouse still stands. It stood through numerous hurricanes. My dad did a good job on the. On that.

[Mark Wilkerson]

That's awesome.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

So it was sort of an accident that we got into it and didn't really know what it was. It's just that I took to it. I liked it. It liked me.

[Mark Wilkerson]

So this whole career wanted. This whole career of yours stemmed from you wanting Melissa's to be more recognized across the United States.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Just the name Melissa to be more popular.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Right? That's it. What do you think, Would it. What do you think it was and is about you that sort of, you know, made it not so difficult to get these commercials? I mean, were you just big and bubbly? You know, you have, you know, you obviously have a big personality. Normally. I mean, I mean, is this who you were?

[Melissa Joan Hart]

I was fearless. I was fearless. I was shameless. I would do anything. I loved entertaining. You know, people came over. I would do shows. I couldn't sing, although I'd pretend I could, loved dance. I actually really wanted to be a dancer. That was sort of like where what I really wanted to do was dance. So everything I did, even, like down to the fact that I couldn't afford all the ballet classes I wanted to take at our little studio, I ended up student teaching. On Saturdays. I would student teach four classes. At the age of 11, I think I was student teaching four classes for little, tiny, tiny kids, teaching them ballet and tap so that I could then get a free Monday Point class. So that was like, I was like, bartering at like 10 and 11 years old to try to have a job, to try to pay for my classes so I could take, so I could keep dancing. But then Clarissa came along. When I was 13, I was doing Broadway. I did a lot of off Broadway.

[Mark Wilkerson]

You did?

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Yeah, I did. I was the youngest member of the Circle Repertory Company and I did plays with, I mean, Joe Mantello's first play written by Peter Hedges. It was a monologue I did on stage. And that job the producer of Clarissa heard about from his veterinarian who suggested me for the role of Clarissa. He would not see a blonde for the role of Clarissa. And so the veterinarian recommended me to the producer. And then that guy let me audition. The producer let me audition. I auditioned three times. He really didn't want a blonde, but he let me audition three times. And on the third time, I got the job. And now I was off in Orlando doing a series.

[Mark Wilkerson]

So. Wow. How old were you then?

[Melissa Joan Hart]

I was 13 when we started the series. I think I was 12 when we did the pilot.

[Mark Wilkerson]

It's so wild that the holidays are almost here.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

It is pretty wild. I'm actually already currently right now because, actually, because of the fires, I had to throw away all of my Christmas decorations.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Oh.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

So I am literally right now on the Wayfair site looking at all Christmas decorations. Wreaths, garlands, holiday pillows, because I had to do a full refresh. And let me tell you something, it's the way to go.

[Mark Wilkerson]

No, I know. And by the way, timing is right because their Black Friday sale is happening now, so you can score huge deals in all things home, up to 70% off. And Wayfair items arrive so fast. Free shipping, too. I love it.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Whether it's modern, farmhouse, something in between, you can find your style. You know what else I love about Wayfair? You can do things that are super, super affordable, and then they also have really, like, luxurious items on there. So it kind of is the full spectrum of whatever it is that you could ever possibly need. So do not miss out on early Black Friday deals.

[Mark Wilkerson]

So starting October 30th, you can shop Wayfair's can't miss Black Friday deals all month long. Plus, you can join Wayfair's new loyalty program and get 5% back on every purchase. Members only sales and free shipping on everything.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Don't miss out on early Black Friday deals.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Head to Wayfair.com now to shop Wayfair's Black Friday deals for up to 70% off.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

That's Wayfair.com w a y f a I r.com sale ends December 7th.

[Cal Penn]

Want to score? When your favorite player does well, you can't unless you download Better Picks who is giving away a free $10 download the better app, pick more or less on player stats, watch the games, and win some cash. It's that simple. Must be 21 or older. In a jurisdiction where Better Picks operates, terms and conditions apply. Better Picks Sports just got better.

[Annabe Sofa Advertiser]

Life gets messy spills, stains and kid chaos. But with Anabe, cleaning up is easy. Our sofas are fully machine washable inside and out, so you never have to stress about messes again. Made with liquid and stain resistant fabrics, that means fewer stains and more peace of mind. Designed for for real life, our sofas feature changeable fabric covers allowing you to refresh your style anytime. Need flexibility? Our modular design lets you rearrange your sofa effortlessly. Perfect for cozy apartments or spacious homes. Plus, they're earth friendly and built to last. That's why over 200,000 happy customers have made the switch. Get early access to Black Friday pricing right now, so start at just $699. Visit washablesofas.com now and bring home a sofa made for life. That's washablesofas.com offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[Cal Penn]

Hey, audiobook lovers. This week on the podcast I'm sitting down with musician, producer and walking encyclopedia Questlove. We're Talking about Mark Ronson's memoir, Night People how to be a DJ in 90s New York City. All right, like we talked about before, Mark Ronson found sanctuary in the DJ booth. What's a tool or piece of equipment in the studio or on stage that gives you the most control?

[Mark Wilkerson]

So I have two microphones on stage. We have the microphone that you hear as the audience.

[Lego Star Wars Advertiser]

Then we have a second microphone in.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Which we communicate with each other. I feel like that second microphone kind.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Of saved all of our friendships.

[Mark Wilkerson]

No band likes each other after 20 years or 25 years.

[Lego Star Wars Advertiser]

The Beatles broke up in seven and a half years and we're going on 35.

[Cal Penn]

Listen to HearSay, the Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. As winter approaches, make sure you set aside some time for self care now through December 2nd. Get great savings on personal care essentials when you shop in store or online. Buy two participating self care items and save $3 Shop for items like Tresemme Shampoo, Dove Shampoo, Dove Men's Care Body Wash, Dove Body Wash, and Axe Shower gel. And save $3 when you buy two or more items. Offer ends December 2nd. Restrictions apply. Offers may vary. Visit albertsons or safeway.com for more details.

[Mark Wilkerson]

So was that your first, first sort of break in television?

[Melissa Joan Hart]

No, I had. I'd already been on Saturday Night Live three times. I'd already done the Equalizer. I was known as the Rice Krispies Girl. I was doing Arnold's Bread commercial. I had done 150 commercials at that point. 150 commercials that paid for my clubhouse.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Wait a minute, wait a minute. I mean, especially back then, commercials were a big deal. Like, you get national, we get paid. You just get those residuals kit rolling in.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Yep, yep. I think I got paid probably more for national commercials than I did for Clarissa, and it ended up paying for my college.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Do you think your parents ever stole your money from you?

[Melissa Joan Hart]

No, not stole, no. But I think that we did need the supplemental income was helpful.

[Mark Wilkerson]

They never skimmed a little bit? Like.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Yeah, no. You know what? I think we did. I. We.

[Mark Wilkerson]

I'm only. I'm only asking because, you know, Wilder made some decent money for him, and I'm like, he'll never know.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

I could just take half of it. Nice, Nice. This is why we have Coogan accounts now. And just like, you know, we were a family of five kids at the time. There were three more that came later, but a family of five living in a house my dad built at the end of a cul de sac at Long Island. And like, my dad was a fisherman and my mom was a stay at home mom now taking kids to the city for auditions. And all the auditions didn't pay well. And going to New York City was expensive and five kids and whatnot. So I think that, like, a lot of the time, it sort of balanced itself out of, like, getting the job, paid for the job, you know?

[Mark Wilkerson]

Yeah, no, for sure. Well, let's go back into your family a little bit. Like, where did you grow up? Talk about your siblings as well. How did you, you know, what, what was the vibe like?

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Oh, I understand. Sibling revelry.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm sure. I mean, because you have different sets of siblings, but did you. Was it a very strict house? Was it freewheeling? You know, were you on your own? What. What was the vibe?

[Melissa Joan Hart]

My parents were hippies.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Yep.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Grow in their own garden. My mom would go get goat's milk for my sister because she had Allergies. I was the oldest. I remember being. I remember, like, our old condo. We had, like, a little condo thing, and I would ride my Hot Wheels with a boy named Jeremy all around the. The complex. They were the kind of hippies that had the beads hanging in the kitchen, you know, curtain. And then when we. When we bought our house and my dad did renovation, he went from being a clamor. He was. He was working in clams. And my mom will not eat clams to this day because I think for like a year straight, all they ate was clams.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Oh, my God.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

And so. But I love clams. But my dad was a clam reader. And then he became a construction. Then he started his own construction company, and then he went to a lobster wholesaler. And now he's an oyster farmer with my sister.

[Mark Wilkerson]

I know. That's cool, too. By the way, this. I all love this because you know how much I've talked about. I've told you how much I fish. I was fishing two days ago. I love the ocean. So, you know, that's like the coolest job. Someone who breeds clams and is a lobster wholesaler and is actually now breeding oysters.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

I'll put you on my sister's Instagram. Hers is really interesting for a woman who was uneducated as a marine biologist. She is a marine biologist. It's insane. She can grow her own kelp. She. The way she grows algae and kelp and to feed the oysters and in the off season, it's. It's. It's wonderful and insane. But what's really cool is I just did this. I'm working with Ancestry.com right now, and what I found out was that the heart side of the family has gone back to the. Like, further than the 1700s and north. The north shore of Long island as shipbuilders and, like, marine people. And that's what my family's still doing. My uncle's a shipbuilder. My cousin's a shipbuilder. Like, it's like they're welders that, you know, they. My dad and his brother have a marina, and, like, that's what we do. And I didn't realize that it goes back to, like, Moses Brush heart from the 1700s, you know, and the ones that came over from Ireland and that, but. But went from Sicily to Ireland and over. Like, it's so wild. Like, I didn't really realize my grandfather was deployed during World War II till I saw his muster report on his ship. So it was. It's been really wild.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Wow, that is cool.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Yeah, it sounds like something you would like. So. But back to the siblings.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Oldest of the original five, which are from mom and dad. And we were raised in a small house in Long island on the wrong side of the tracks, right near the train. And, you know, I walked to school every day from kindergarten on. And then I went. I lived in that house in that town until ninth grade. And that's when I got Clarissa Explains it all and had to go to Orlando to shoot. And my parents got divorced. My mom moved to the city with the five of us. And, I mean, we were spending our weekends on Long island and weekdays in New York. And I started going to professional children's school by 10th grade, which was like, where Sarah Michelle Geller, Jerry O', Connell, Tara Reid, like Macaulay Culkin, we all went to the school. I wasn't there a lot because I was in Orlando most of the time. So I was in and out of school. I got in some trouble with Tara Reid. Some of my friends like to smoke on the church steps, and I would just go with them. I didn't smoke at the time, but.

[Mark Wilkerson]

I would go with them.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

And, yeah, I got busted a few times for doing things that I wasn't doing.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Right. Just guilty by association.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Yeah. Then 11th and 12th grade, I ended up being tutored. And then my mom remarried and had two girls in the city. And then my dad remarried and had another daughter out in Long Island. And when I was 19, we found my mom was handed the comic book of Sabrina the Teenage Witch on a playground in New York City, and was like, this would be a great project for Melissa. So she went to Archie Comics, bought it for a dollar, sold it to Showtime as a movie, cut a trailer together when she was editing the movie, and pitched it out as a series and got three in the room offers for the series.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Wow.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

And then we moved to la.

[Mark Wilkerson]

That's amazing.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

She was pregnant with her seventh at that point.

[Mark Wilkerson]

That is insane. So you have a real blended mixed family like that. So with the original five, what was it? Did everyone get along? Was there rivalries? Was there infighting?

[Melissa Joan Hart]

My sister, who's two years younger than me, she and I were super close. The third sister was a little quiet growing up and always kind of did her own thing in a way, especially when she got older. She's the one who's the oyster farmer. But Trisha and I were very close. And Trisha and I both were big hams, and we like to. We were the Actors. But a lot of the time in the auditions I would book it and she wouldn't do one Tylenol commercial together. And we did a few other things. I did a jello pudding commercial with Bill Cosby and my sister was like my backup.

[Mark Wilkerson]

So.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

So, you know, and she was working here and there, but not as much as I was. And so she kind of designated her own thing. She ended up going to the Bronx High School of Science and she became the smart one. I was the talented one. Lizzie, I think she's like self titled herself the weird one. Emily, my mom I think called her the pretty one. And then my brother of course was the boy. So it was like we all had like our lane.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Wow. But was there jealousy there because you were sort of booking and she wasn't or.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

I don't know, you'd have to ask her. I think she would say no. I think that she decided she needed to find her own path and, and academics were her thing. That's what she wanted to excel at. She wanted to be the smart one. She wanted to learn and, and absorb it all. And she was the first one in our family to go to college all the way through. I went to NYU but never graduated. So she was the first one to go all the way through and she's still like no. My sister Emily, the fifth one, she also went all the way through college. And so. And then I have two that are still in college. They still, they're like on their third masters, but. But yeah, so Trisha was like the one who wanted to be the smart one. And she became a school teacher in New York City and, and so she took academics very seriously and that became her. Her path.

[Mark Wilkerson]

So when did you move to la? When, when did that happen?

[Melissa Joan Hart]

That was only with Sabrina. So Sabrina, we didn't even do a pilot, right? We just went right to series.

[Mark Wilkerson]

How old were you?

[Melissa Joan Hart]

I was 20.

[Mark Wilkerson]

So you're 20. The oldest.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

That means I was never a teenager playing a teenage witch.

[Mark Wilkerson]

I know. Exactly.

[Cal Penn]

Have you ever turned a dollar into ten grand? I doubt it. But now you can. On Better Picks. Download the Better app, pick more or less on your favorite player stats, watch the games and win some cash. It's that simple. Better picks available in 33 states, including Texas, California and Georgia. Download the Better app today. That's Better B E T R and get a free $10. No deposit necessary. Must be 21 or older in a jurisdiction where Better Picks operates.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Turn and condition supply.

[Cal Penn]

Better Picks. Sports just got better.

[Annabe Sofa Advertiser]

Tired of spills and stains. On your sofa. Wash away your worries with Anabe. Annabe is the only machine washable sofa inside and out where designer quality meets budget friendly prices. That's right, sofas start at just $699. Enjoy a no risk experience with pet friendly stain resistant and changeable slipcovers made with performance fabric. Experience cloud like comfort with high resilience foam that's hypoallergenic and never needs fluffing. The sturdy steel frame ensures longevity and the modular pieces can be rearranged anytime. Shop washablesofas.com for early Black Friday savings up to 60% off site wide backed by a 30 day satisfaction guarantee. If you're not absolutely in love, send it back for a full refund. No return shipping or restocking fees. Every penny back Upgrade [e-mail] Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Hey everyone, Ed Helms here and hi.

[Cal Penn]

I'm Kal Penn and we're the hosts of Irsay, The Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club.

[Mark Wilkerson]

This week on the podcast I am sitting down with Jenny Garth, host of the iHeart podcast. I choose me to discuss the new Audible adaptation of the timeless Jane Austen classic Pride and Prejudice. This is not a trick question. There's no wrong answer. What role would I play?

[Annabe Sofa Advertiser]

You know what?

[Melissa Joan Hart]

I can see you as Mr. Darcy.

[Annabe Sofa Advertiser]

You got a little call in of me front.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Okay, that's really sweet, I appreciate that. But are you sure I'm not the dad? I'm not Mr. Bennett here. Listen to Earsay the Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club on the iHeartradio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. As winter approaches, make sure you set aside some time for self care. Now through December 2nd. Get great savings on personal care essentials when you shop in store or online. 2 participating self care items and save $3. Shop for items like Tresemme Shampoo, Dove Shampoo, Dove Men's Care Body Wash, Dove Body Wash and Axe Shower gel and save $3 when you buy two or more items. Offer ends December 2nd. Restrictions apply. Offers may vary. Visit albertsons or safeway.com for more details.

[Lego Star Wars Advertiser]

When you say Lego Star wars, the first thing you think of is imagination or action. Or both. Definitely both. Like with Jango Fett's Starship. I mean with Stud Blasters, seismic charges and three minifigures, your kid is gonna be creating stories until the Banthas come home. And for yourself, there's the Jango Fett's Firespray class Starship LEGO set from the Ultimate Collector series. Enjoy some Jedi Master level mindfulness during your building time. Shop now for Star wars lego sets on lego.com or in lego retail stores.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Did your whole family move out?

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Pretty much. My mom took all. Yeah, all five.

[Mark Wilkerson]

So what. What was that like? I mean, that's uprooting, obviously, and it's because of you. And was there any kind of. Well, I don't want to leave, you know, I mean, this is my home. This is Melissa's thing.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

We'd been moved around a little bit because we'd already moved to Manhattan when I was 12, so they were 10, 8, 4 and 2. So we moved to Manhattan. Then when my mom remarried, we moved to Jersey for like two years. And then we moved to la. So I feel like we had been kind of moved around, but we also kept our house in Jersey, so we sort of had that. My dad still lived in my childhood home, so we still had that. So we still had like these roots. But all five of us moved to la. And at first I think we all really liked it. You know, we, for the first time making real money. And I had my own apartment. I got a BMW. I went. I had a Jeep and a Toyota before that. Now I had a bm, a red BMW convertible, driving down Laurel Canyon, you know, and. And I. My boyfriend at the time was like, you have to. If you're gonna have BMW, you have to have a stick shift, you know. So I'm learning stick on all these freaking canyons. And then they all were kind of happy out here in school for a little while. And then kind of one by one, they all move back east. So whether I did. Yeah. Whether it was like, you know, they just kind of. Were they. We all liked it out here at first. I think the weather, I think the excitement of la. I think the fact that we had. My mom had bought this or rented a big house and I was in my own condo. And, you know, we're kind of like living this life and I'm an adult now, so I don't have to go to school. And I'm like, you know, when I worked before, it was always balancing school and work, which was really, really difficult. So this is now time, a time when I can just work. And I also am in scenes. The difference between my show Clarissa and my show Sabrina, which I'm gonna assume people have not seen Clarissa, is I'm giving like four page monologues four times an episode. So I would have to start learning those on Sunday, to deliver on Wednesday. We would shoot our show. We'd rehearse Monday, Tuesday, and we'd shoot our show Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. But that was Clarissa. And I mean, I was learning these lines. These scenes were 10 pages long. We shot them like they were live television. We only had. We had four cameras and only one was isolated, which means only one was recording the whole time. So if the switcher or the director didn't switch at the right time, we had to redo the whole scene. And it would be 10 page scenes of like me and another person. So it was like back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And sometimes I turn to the camera and give a full monologue to the camera. Yeah. And I'm also in high school and I'm doing the SATs and I'm applying to college and it was just overwhelming.

[Mark Wilkerson]

What? Wait, hold on, let's go back. Clarissa, I. What was Clistra about? I don't even know.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Clarissa was a show on Nickelodeon, was one of the first kind of sitcom shows that wasn't like a game show. And it was about a girl and her sibling rivalry with her brother. In fact, I had to say the word sibling rivalry so many times. There are so many bloopers. It was in the middle of a monologue and I would say sibling rivalry every single freaking take. And I'd have to go back and start the whole four page monologue again. So there's like me cursing and looking at the script supervisor going, sibling rivalry, sibling rivalry. I can say it. I just can't say it when I have to say it in the script. It was a lot, and it was a lot of pressure, but taught me a lot. And then I go to Sabrina, right?

[Mark Wilkerson]

Yeah, yeah.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

And I'm 20 and I don't have high school and I'm in like two page scenes with five people and I have to deliver three lines. And I was like, this is freaking awesome. Like. And I like, I don't. I can wait for some other people to say some stuff. I enter late, I come into the room and I say two lines and I leave. And like, what? What is this? Magic? What is this? Yeah, wonderfulness. And I can go out at night, have two gin and tonics at Dublin's, and then head back to work at 5am Great.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Dublin, Dublins.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Dublin's. I'm like right next door to it right now.

[Mark Wilkerson]

That's so funny. It's still easy to get caught up in the whole LA scene. But you were in it. But you were moderate, right? You, you really like, kept it together?

[Melissa Joan Hart]

I, I mean, I'd like to think so. We didn't have social media to say differently, but. Yeah, but I think being the oldest of so many siblings, I was so responsible. Like I was, you know, changing diapers from the time I was four years old. You know, like, I feel like I always wanted them to look at me. I didn't want to do anything that would embarrass them or hurt them or, you know, so even when I did Maxim magazine once and my brother was pretty young, he was like in middle school or high school, and I did Maxim magazine and he and my father were both being tortured by people at work going, look at your daughter, look at your. Look at your sister. And then Playboy magazine came and asked me to do something and I was like, I can't do it, I can't do it. And they offered me a lot of money and I was like, I can't do it because I don't want my brother to be hurt by that. Like the last thing he needs, he's already getting tortured by me in underwear, let alone completely. And I would have been willing to do it because I was like, I'm not ashamed of my body. I'm proud of my body. I'm fine with that. But then I'm really glad I didn't because now I have three boys and I don't need those images out there for them.

[Mark Wilkerson]

I know, I know.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

So kind of happy I made that choice for my brother, which then also translates to my children. And I always kind of knew that that would be a correlation, that someday I would have children that would, you know, what do I want them to see? And I kind of played that through my siblings eyes. So, you know, I feel like I also was raised by these hippie parents who were growing their own pot in the garden. And my mom once told me, she was like, you know, I did all the drugs. You don't have to. They're not that, they're not worth it. And I was like, okay, great. That sounds like I like that. Like, I take your word for that. I don't need it. And I, I was sort of like, I trusted my mom. We had a really good. Because we were only 19 years apart. And I feel like, you know, there's this, well, almost exactly 20 years apart and I'm like, there was this like, kind of raising each other in a way of like, she took me out to dance clubs all the time, but I wasn't allowed to drink and you know, she, we'd go to all these clubs in New York and LA and you know, and we would party together and we would go on. Especially once we started doing Sabrina, we would, we would go out to like Paris for a girls weekend with all my sisters and do these fun things. But it was never, it was never, it was never surrounded by like drugs and alcohol. It was like, let's go dance, let's go have fun. You know, it wasn't about spending money, it wasn't about fame, it wasn't about any of that, like, for me. And that's why I think like going back to like our kids being in the industry. For me, I know that my kids only, the only time they've ever expressed interest in the industry is when they think it's going to make them rich and famous. And I'm reading Matthew Perry's book right now and I'm like, that's all he wanted was to be famous, right? And it like caused so many of his problems. Like he's very insecure and he just wanted fame. And I'm like, if you're just reaching for fame, that's not the right reason to do this because it comes and it goes and it comes and it goes and it comes and it goes and you got to ride that ride and people love you and they hate you and you have to figure out what you believe. Like I feel like I always felt like if I believe the good stuff that people say about me, then I have to believe the bad stuff too. So I just choose not to listen to compliments or, you know, or any kind of like bad stuff. I, I just try to, I just try to gauge. And the character Clarissa, that show was really helpful in. She was like a non conformist tough girl who did the right thing. But also what she wanted to do was very strong and passionate. And it taught me at a young age that I could be that way. That I could hold to my beliefs and my values and not and kind of be unapologetic about it, but also be kind and gracious to everybody. Like, so, yeah, that's what I wanted, you know, and that's, that's what I, and that's what I want for my kids.

[Mark Wilkerson]

It was fun to watch you work because you had to wear two hats in this movie that we did, you know, where you, the actor and doing your there and then the producer where sometimes was like, hold on you guys, no, this is not happening. We need to do this, this and this, you know, and you were showed Your power and in. In a good way. And you had to put that hat on.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

It was tricky.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Yeah. I was like, oh, that's a tricky one. Because you don't want to alienate yourself from anybody because you are part of the crew, part of the acting, part of the troop. At the same time, you're like, you guys, we got to speed this shit up. Like, come on, let's go.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

There was. I mean, I. I got into directing and producing a little bit, but especially directing for efficiency. And it makes me crazy when things are inefficient and because this industry can be so wasteful in time, in money, in everything. And so I really try to look at that and make sure we're using our time, the best of our ability and getting the best story. And it was really tricky. This is the first time I've really kind of just produce something and wasn't number one on the call sheet or wasn't direct. So I felt like I was like, how much am I allowed to say? How much am I allowed to influence? How much am I allowed to, you know, like. Or how much do I want it? How much, you know, when will people just shut me down and not listen? So I tried to pick my battles, but it was a tough one. It was hard to know that balance for sure.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Yeah. How did you deal with the fame? Did you give a shit about it? Or were you like, whatever or, you know, I mean, at such a young.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Age, you know, what I liked was getting into the clubs, right. In my early 20s, like, being able to walk in the club.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Yeah.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Like, that was the only place I really saw it. Or getting to go to premieres. Like, when Romeo and Julie Juliet came out, and we were just in our first season of Sabrina, I was like, can I go to that? One of my co stars was like, she had lived in LA and she was like, I want to go to that premiere. Can you ask your publicist? I was like, oh, is that something we can do? And I was like, hey, can we go to see Romeo and Juliet? And they were like, yeah, sure. You want tickets? I was like, oh, I can go see any movie I want. Like, with the stars of the movie.

[Mark Wilkerson]

That's fun.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

So I would use it for that in Disney World. Like, that was where I used my fame, Right. And getting some cool clothes.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. And then just the recognition, you know, street recognition on the street. Yeah. You were cool. You're cool. You were cool with all that. It never bothered you. It was never kind of like, oh, God, like, I know. I love being in this business, but this side of it, I'm not. Don't love or you do love or.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

You know, New York was like walking the streets of New York. When I was doing theater, nobody knew who I was walking the streets in New York. When I did Clarissa, a few people would recognize me and I'd be like, oh, you watch Nickelodeon? I'm sorry. Like, I. I was actually, like, kind of, like, embarrassed by that. But then, because I'm like, oh, I'm on a kids show. You know, I'm like 16, 17, and I'm like, I'm on a kid's show. That's weird. But then moving to la, I feel like nobody here, really, unless you went to Rodeo or the Ivy or something, you know, Like, I feel like I was just with everybody else. Like, I was constantly with the. That 70 show cast or, you know, I was kind of, like, at events with other people that were, you know, famous also or more famous or, you know. So I feel like it was. I. I still had a little bit of imposter syndrome of like, will they let me in the club tonight? I don't know. You know, I never thought that the show was as big as it was. Even though I knew people liked it, I didn't know. I didn't know what. What I had there. Really?

[Mark Wilkerson]

Yeah. How many. How many seasons did it run?

[Melissa Joan Hart]

We did seven seasons on a. Well, we did four seasons on ABC and three on WB.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Right. And then. So you were late 20s when it ended?

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Yeah, 27 and married. 27, about to be married. Then I started having babies. In 2003, I'm married. In 2006, I'm having a baby. And as soon as he turns one, I go to Canada and I do this movie called Holiday in Handcuffs with Mario Lopez. And it was a Christmas movie for ABC Family. And it was one of the first, I want to say the first Christmas TV movie. And it was such a huge success. I still get told all the time that it's like the number one. It was for many, many years the number one rated Christmas TV movie and for, like, probably a decade. And it kind of started this genre of Christmas movies that then became Hallmark and Lifetime and ABC Family, which still does freeform, and. And now Netflix now. Now our movie, you know, so it kind of launched this new genre of holiday movies. And. But the thing about holiday and handcuffs is it was really funny. It was like, stupid funny. Like, it's one of the only things I will watch that I'm in because it was just so ridiculous. I kidnapped Mario Lopez, bring him out to a log cabin and try to convince my family that he's my boyfriend. But he's not, you know, but he doesn't know where he is. I've taken his cell phone. He doesn't, he doesn't know how to get out of the cabin. And I basically kidnapped this guy. And it's really cute, really sweet, really stupid, really funny. And I just got to be over the top and have so much fun with it. So then I wanted to do another one and I did one called My Fake Fiance for ABC Family. And these were like big money making movies.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Yeah, yeah.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

You know, now we do them for like pennies, like compared to what we used to do. But then I did a show because of the movie. I did My Fake Fiance with Joey Lawrence. We decided to kind of, kind of riff off that and we did a show called Melissa and Joey on ABC Family for five years.

[Mark Wilkerson]

That's right.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

And in that time, I'm having babies. I have three kids at this, you know, in the middle of Melissa and Joey, I have my third baby. And yeah, and I had so much fun with that show. But meanwhile I'm raising my kids in Connecticut, but shooting a show in la and. And then when that ended, I took a nice break, came back to Netflix for a show called no Good Nick with Sean Astin and some incredible young talent and got to play the mom for the first time ever.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Wow.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

I was already like 42 when I'm playing a mom for the first time.

[Cal Penn]

Do you actually know Ball? Well, come prove it with a free $10 from Better Picks. Download the Better app, pick more or less on player stats and watch the games and win cash. It's that simple. Must be 21 or older. In a jurisdiction where Better Picks operates, terms and conditions apply. Better Picks Sports just got better.

[Annabe Sofa Advertiser]

Life gets messy spills, stains, and kid chaos. But with Anabe, cleaning up is easy. Our sofas are fully machine washable inside and out, so you never have to stress about messes again. Made with liquid and stain resistant fabrics, that means fewer stains and more peace of mind. Designed for real life, our sofas feature changeable fabric covers, allowing you to refresh your style anytime. Need flexibility? Our modular design lets you rearrange your sofa effortlessly. Perfect for cozy apartments or spacious homes. Plus, they're earth friendly and built to last. That's why over 200,000 happy customers have made the switch. Get all the early access to Black Friday pricing. Right now, sofas start at just $699. Visit washablesofas.com now and bring home a sofa made for life. That's washablesofas.com offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[Cal Penn]

Hey, audiobook lovers. This week on the podcast I'm sitting Down with musician, producer and walking encyclopedia Questlove, we're talking about Mark Ronson's memoir, Night how to be a DJ in 90s New York City. All right, like we talked about before, Mark Ronson found sanctuary in the DJ booth. What's a tool or piece of equipment in the studio or on stage that gives you the most control?

[Melissa Joan Hart]

So I have two microphones on stage.

[Mark Wilkerson]

We have the microphone that you hear as the audience.

[Lego Star Wars Advertiser]

Then we have a second microphone in.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Which we communicate with each other.

[Mark Wilkerson]

I feel like that second microphone kind of saved all of our friendships. No band likes each other after 20 years or 25 years.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Like the Beatles broke up in seven.

[Mark Wilkerson]

And a half years and we're going on 35.

[Cal Penn]

Listen to HearSay, the Audible and iHeart audiobook club on the iHeartradio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. Flu season is here and our pharmacies have you covered with a free flu shot with most insurance plans. Plus it's cough and cold season and now through December 2nd. Stock up on all the season's essentials and get ready for relief with discounts on items like Mucinex Cold and Flu Kickstart, Mucinex, Fast Max Products, vicks Dayquil and Nyquil combo pack, Alka Seltzer plus also airborne and Afrin offers end December 2nd. Restrictions apply and offers may vary by location. Visit Albertsons or Safeway.com for more details.

[Lego Star Wars Advertiser]

When you say Lego Star wars, the first thing you think of is imagination or action. Or both. Definitely both. Like with Jango Fett's Starship. I mean with Stud Blasters, Seismic Charges and three minifigures, your kid is going to be creating stories until the Banthas come home. And for yourself, there's the Ghost Jango Fett's Firespray class Starship LEGO set from the Ultimate Collector series. Enjoy some Jedi Master level mindfulness during your building time. Shop now for Star wars lego sets on lego.com or in lego retail stores.

[Mark Wilkerson]

No, but you always been that like a hustler, just meaning like just keep hustling, hustling it up but also having babies doing your thing at the same time. I mean that's such a huge sacrifice. I guess that you, we as actors do have to make. But you know, what point is it kind of not worth it where you are doing Melissa and Joey, your kids are in Connecticut. You're not seeing them as much as you know you should or being around as their mom. And it's like, you know what? I'm okay with money. I got it, everything's fine. I need, I need to be a fucking mother.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

It was really tough, it was a really tough decision. But I thought we had just moved to Connecticut when I, I did Dance with Stars and then we backed the pilot onto that for Melissa and Joey and I was like, but we still moved because I was like, who knows? It's a pilot that's happening in December. It would go next August. I'm not going to put all my eggs in that basket. So we moved the family to Connecticut and I thought it was best for them to sleep in their bed and go to school and have like, this is where their roots are. I'll bounce in and out. I'll be sad, but they'll be okay. But now looking back, well, and then I had my third baby and we all moved back to LA for a little while. So we moved back to LA for a few years. And then when I was doing no Good Nick for Netflix, we were living in our house in Lake Tahoe and I was traveling back and forth. So there's been a lot of like push and pull. But what I like about this business for us is that and for my family is that it's really like I can be all in as a full time mom and then I'm all in as an actor when I leave and I go on a project. Like we're in Toronto for six weeks and it's like I'm here, I'm in Toronto and I'm working and then I go home. But there's an end in sight too. I don't know if I do like a job where it's like year after year going to the same office, like, yeah, like the like end of it. And then I'm like full time mom, but I'm also looking for the next thing. What's the next job? What am I? But I'm enjoying my time at home and going to every, you know, class party or you know, getting them ready for homecoming or all that stuff.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Yeah. And I think setting an example for your kids as well, you know, I think, you know, even subconsciously it's like, oh yeah, mom's gone, but she's working, she's doing her thing and she comes back and she's present and in love and it's, you know, it's. You know. I think that's important as well.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

I try. I hope they notice it later on. I don't know that teenage boys really get it yet.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Oh, we. Oh, my God. I know. We don't know. Who knows? Hopefully they come around in their 20s and like, I really. I have an epiphany. I realize how amazing you really are. I know, I know. Trust. Trust me. It's like, where is that kid that would not let me out of his room because he wanted to cuddle so much?

[Melissa Joan Hart]

I know. My kid won't even sit on the same couch with me. He's like, what are you doing? I'm like, dude, there's like three spaces between us. And I sit here and watch football. No. Why did you sit so close? Like, I mean, I. I definitely have cooties, that's for sure.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Well, and. And then it's like, you know what? Five years ago, you were all over me. You were in my bed, cuddling me. Like, don't leave and snuggles. What happened?

[Melissa Joan Hart]

This is what Mark and I had to recently come to grips with. We were like, why am I, like, needing you so much more? Like, why weren't we like this before? Because now we're like, holding hands all the time. We lean on each other. We're constantly, like all over each other. And we're like, what changed in 22 years of marriage? And we're like, oh, the kids were all over us and we were like, like, I need a little space. And now we're like, the kids don't want us anymore, so we're like all over each other.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Yeah, No, I know. It's so true. And all I can do is hope that that shifts. I think it will. Everyone says it does.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Because Wilder's your oldest, right?

[Mark Wilkerson]

Yeah.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

And he's, he's. I see him like, I mean, I don't know if it was only because on set he would, like, needed daddy, but like.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Yeah, no, it's there, it's there, it's there.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Yeah. My 19 year old is like, all about. He's willing to hug me, tells me he loves me, all those things again, right? When the 13 year old is like. And I'm like, you were always the one that told me you'd always love me, that you were going to marry me and all these things. And he's like, what are you talking about? And they're all taller than me. Like, my Christmas card We just did the pictures. I'm like, they're all 5, 8 and above. And I'm like, what happened? Like.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Oh God, I know it changes so quick.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

But like, I do, I do have to say the 19 year old has come back around. The 17 year old is pretty sweet. He recognizes, like, sometimes he'll be like grossed out by me, but then other times he likes, he'll call me and be like, sorry about that, I love you.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Like, yeah, yeah, of course. You just have to understand this is what they are, what they're going through and they're individuating. It's what we all did.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Yeah.

[Mark Wilkerson]

So how did you get into producing?

[Melissa Joan Hart]

It was Sabrina. We got the comic book and brought it to.

[Mark Wilkerson]

So you were a producer from that?

[Melissa Joan Hart]

I was from the producer from the time I was 20. Yeah, 1920. And. And then I was always just finding projects.

[Mark Wilkerson]

What about these Christmas movies and stuff? Did you. Were you able to produce those as well?

[Melissa Joan Hart]

We produced almost all of them. Just not Holiday, not the first one, Holiday in Handcuffs, that one. I was a hire actor for hire. But the rest of them, we produced them. That's the only way I really wanted to make those Christmas movies was being in complete control, finding the project, casting it and having fun with it that way. And then directing. Like I directed a lot of Sabrina, but it was really hard for me to get into directing anything I wasn't in. Like, I could say, like the very first Christmas movie I actually produced was because I directed it, but I promised them I'd take a small part in it. But I really wanted to be the director. So I'll take a part in this, but I want to be the director. And so that's how I started directing Christmas movies. And then I directed Angelica Houston in a remake of the Watcher in the woods, which was a Bette Davis scary movie from the 80s.

[Mark Wilkerson]

That's cool.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

It was a movie I loved and it took us 17 years to get the rights from Disney. And so then when we did it, Angelica Houston played the part of Bette Davis and we shot it in Wales and that was wonderful. That was like 2017. And then in like during COVID I was directing three movies that summer. And then I. And then I started directing other people's television shows, which was really fun. I was shooting, I was going back and forth between multicam and single cam. I was doing Young Sheldon, I was directing the Goldbergs. I was directing schooled. I directed icarly a few other Netflix of their family shows. So I had so much fun. Like 2018 through 2023. Directing a ton.

[Mark Wilkerson]

So great.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

And so that was really fun. And then the last three years, honestly, I've been working on this movie on Merry Little Xmas.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Yeah, no, I know.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

I've spent the last, like, three years really hunkering down on this one. And some other projects I've got going on, I would start. I transitioned from Christmas movies myself, doing them, myself really being in them, to doing true crime stuff. So that's been really, like. I never trusted myself with drama since my Broadway days because I became a sitcom girl. And so I thought, you know, I don't like crying. I don't feel like I'm good at this. Didn't trust myself with it. Especially when I did an episode of Law and Order SVU and I was like, oh, I suck at this. So I, I, that's when I did Melissa and Joey. I was like, I need more comedy in my life. I got to go back.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Right, well, how did you get. But this. So the directing. Did you direct Sabrina? Was that your first?

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Yeah, I got my DGA card on Sabrina. I did some of our bigger episodes, like our Halloween episodes and our 100th episode. And again, going back to our earlier conversation was all about efficiency for me. I wanted to make sure that show was so difficult because we did shoot it like Clarissa. We rehearsed Monday, Tuesday. Unlike a usual sitcom where you rehearse for four days and shoot on the. Well, shoot on the fourth and fifth, we shot. We rehearsed on Monday and did a run through. We rehearsed on Tuesday and did a run through. And then we filmed Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. And those were long days because we had a lot of scenes. We had a talking cat, so we had live cats, animatronic cats. We had a ton of special effects. Our special effects guy went off to do Game of Thrones, and our makeup artist now does, like, Stranger Things and Ryan Murphy, and she's like this award winning, most award winning makeup artist. So we had some incredible, incredible crew on this show, and we were able to pull the show together, but it was. We were all learning on the job. Like, all these special effects and all this stuff was really complicated. And these seasoned directors would come in and be like, what do I do? And I would oftentimes explain it to them.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Yeah.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

So then I ended up being like, why don't I just direct it? So luckily, my mom being my executive producer was like, I got you a DGA card. You're directing the next episode. And I was like, okay. But I was protected by my crew that I've been working with for a few years, and I knew the characters and I was there from the start and I, like, knew what to do and everybody rallied around me and it was an amazing education in how to direct. And I just fell in love with it. Creatively. That feeds me more than acting, like Sean Astin will tell you. Like, he calls actors meat puppets a little bit. Like we do, the director tells us what the script says we have to do and all this stuff. But when you're directing, you read that script, you get that vision, you make that come true. You know, you're the storyteller in a sense, and I really connect with that more. And I was directing so much for a few years that I would beg for. I was like, I gotta make a Christmas movie in order to get my union insurance. Like, I gotta. I gotta keep my SAG insurance. So I need to, like, get an acting job real quick and kind of pop off a Christmas movie so I can keep directing. So. Yeah, it was fun, though. It was fun for you.

[Mark Wilkerson]

What after, what do you. What do you do? What's next?

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Developing a few more. Developing a Christmas movie right now. Developing a true crime movie right now. Developing a sitcom right now. So a bunch of stuff in the works that hopefully will all sort of start to come to fruition next year. So I'm just, you know, we're all kind of hunkering down for these holidays.

[Mark Wilkerson]

And you're happy on your path, meaning in 10 years from now, you want to just keep doing what you're doing. Like you have found your. You found your. You've hit your stride.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

I feel like in the. The New Yorker in me is more about being a working actor and, and working in this industry in any capacity. I'll do craft service. Like, I just love being a part of it and I love doing projects, but I'm also really enjoying, like, middle aged life with my husband and my kids. And I don't want to miss, you know, the. All the. Like next year my son's gonna be. My second son's gonna be a senior and I want to go through all that senior stuff with him. You know, I want to be present for all that. I want to do big vacations because I know times coming where they're gonna have wives and children and they're not gonna want their mom and dad around. So I'm trying to really soak all that in in the next few years.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Yeah.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

And I'm trying to just like, really Spend time with my husband and. And. And, you know, at the same time get some passion projects going. I found some great books that I've acquired, and, you know, it's. I have a lot going on. You know, we industry have so many things we throw at the wall and see what.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Yeah, yeah.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

You never really know what's going to work, but I have some passion projects that I'm, like, deep into and I hope, you know, come to fruition.

[Mark Wilkerson]

But did you. There are books you've read and optioned?

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Yeah, yeah, there's. There's a few that.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Older books or newer books?

[Melissa Joan Hart]

No, newer books that are like. Well, newer books.

[Mark Wilkerson]

I'm obsessed with reading lately. Like, this whole year I've been. Yeah, I've been reading my face off. I'm just obsessed.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Well, the ones I'm really into are sort of historical fiction.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Yeah. Digging some historical fiction. I just.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

A little bit. Yeah. They're like murder mysteries, but set in the past.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Fun.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Yeah, some fun stuff, for sure.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Fun. Well.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Well, am I gonna see you tonight?

[Mark Wilkerson]

Are we gonna see you tonight? Yeah, we're screening the movie.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

How many times have you watched it already? Is this gonna be.

[Mark Wilkerson]

I haven't. I haven't really. No, I. I mean, I've. Well, you know, like you said, you only watch that one movie that you like. I hate watching myself. It drives me crazy. So I'm like, I'm not gonna watch it until I have to watch it. You know, Wilder has been watching it and. And, you know, he's like, oh, God. You know, is he. Like I just said, buddy, you know, just get ready. Watching yourself is. Is. No one really loves it. It's super awkward. You're hearing your voice, you're looking at your hair, you're looking at your clothes.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Why'd I do it that way? I look so.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Right. Right. And so it's like, just know that you're gonna hate. You're gonna hate yourself, you know, but you'll get used to it and. Yeah. And that's that. You know, So I watched some of the scenes. They're very cute, really sweet, really real. You know what I mean?

[Melissa Joan Hart]

You're gonna love it. We're gonna watch it on screen tonight. You're gonna love it.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Yeah, it'll be great.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

I think the audience is gonna really love this one because you are so incredibly charming in it. You and Alicia have amazing chemistry. You and Jamila have amazing chemistry. Jamila is so funny, Pearson. Like, absolutely hilarious.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Yeah.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

And we just have some hijinks that seriously ensue so, yeah, I mean, I.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Think it is going to be a.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

New classic Christmas movie for everybody. That's what I really wanted to bring. Like, yeah, I was a little sick of the vanilla sweet Christmas movies that are out every year. They're the same and I know people like that. People want the predictability of like, I want a happy ending. I, you know, they're usually going through something tough at the holidays. They're missing somebody. They're, you know, they didn't get a paycheck this month. They, whatever it is that they're going through, I think the Christmas movies are a safe place for them. But what I miss about Christmas movies is the comedy. I miss the Christmas vacations in Elf and Home Alone and that sort of fun natured movie. And I really wanted to bring more of that back to a movie. And so that's where this one came from. Like when Holly Hester, the writer brought us, she was a writer on Sabrina and she brought us the script and I was like, oh, this is fun. Like, this is fun. And I also love that it's not like you're exes, but you're getting along and the new girl comes in and she's not hated, she's not awful, she's not the devil.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Right.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Like, we don't want her out immediately. Like, it's not like Parent Trap where you're like, get her out.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Right.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Her, you know, Kate kind of falls in love with her too and goes, oh, I see it. Like, she's really, she's fantastic. Like, you know, and Pearson's fantastic. And you know, everybody in this movie is very nice and fun to be around, but who actually belongs together is.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Yes, it's true. And when we were doing Press, Jamila was talking about that a lot, which is, I love that these aren't two women who are pitted against each other.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Yeah.

[Mark Wilkerson]

You know, which is nice.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

It's not like the young sexy one and then the woman.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Right.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

You know, mature who like, you know, it's, it's really like they're both great, but who belongs together is really the ultimate question.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Like, yes, yes.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

So I, I love it for that and I think people will love it and I'll see you.

[Mark Wilkerson]

They will. I'll see you tonight. Bye. Mj. Mjh. She's done some like, you know, I mean, you know, you get put in toll a little bit. Sort of Melissa Joan hard and Sabrina, teenage witch and blah, blah, blah. And that's who she's thought of. But she's prolific. I mean, she picks her lane and then pushes the gas down pedal to the metal and just rips it. Directed a ton of things, producing a ton of things her mom as a boss like, you know, pretty cool. Anyway, I'm going to leave. Bye.

[Cal Penn]

Want to score? When your favorite player does well, you can't unless you download Better Picks. Who's giving away a free $10? Download the Better app, pick more or less on your favorite player stats, watch the games and win some cash. It's that simple. Must be 21 or older in a jurisdiction where Better Picks operates terms and conditions Play Better Picks Sports just got better hey audiobook lovers, I'm Cal Penn.

[Mark Wilkerson]

I'm Ed Helms.

[Cal Penn]

Ed and I are inviting you to join the Pick Best sounding book club you've ever heard with our new podcast, Irsay The Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Each week we sit down with your favorite iHeart podcast hosts and some very special guests to discuss the latest and greatest audiobooks from Audible.

[Cal Penn]

Listen to earsay on America's number one podcast network, iHeart Followersay, and start listening on the free iHeartRadio app today.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. As winter approaches, make sure you set aside some time for self care now through December 2nd and get great savings on personal care essentials when you shop in store or online. Buy two participating self care items and save $3. Shop for items like Tresemme Shampoo, Dove Shampoo, Dove Men's Care Body Wash, Dove Body Wash and Axe Shower gel and save $3 when you buy two or more items. Offer ends December 2nd. Restrictions apply. Offers may vary. Visit albertsons or safeway.com for more details.

[Lego Star Wars Advertiser]

Does anything go better than Lego and Star Wars? I don't think so. Kids will love becoming a part of the galactic action while playing out their favorite adventures like with Jango Fett Starship. I mean, this Lego set is fantastic. It features a detailed recreation of Jango Fett's Starship with four stud shooters, a seismic charge dropping function and wings that rotate with gravity. Plus it has three Jango Fett with two blasters and a jetpack, Young Boba Fett and Llama Su. Perfect for endless play. Now for the for the big fans, there's Jango Fett's Firespray class Starship from the Ultimate Collector series. Packed with details and surprises for fans, this large scale set is perfect for anyone hunting for a mindful building escape. Plus you end up with a fantastic display piece. You can build this while your little ones build the kid set you'll be like Jango and Boba building an adventure shop. Now for Star wars lego sets on lego.com or if you in Lego retail stores. What a matchup we got, y'.

[Mark Wilkerson]

All. This is that classic HBCU vibe. Non stop action.

[Lego Star Wars Advertiser]

The band is rocking and the crowd lit.

[Mark Wilkerson]

Chance echo drum beat, everybody showing that school pride.

[Lego Star Wars Advertiser]

Game like this. Yeah, it calls for an ice cold Coca Cola. Ah, Crisp and refreshing.

[Mark Wilkerson]

That's a game changer right there. Yeah, that taste always hits the right note.

[Lego Star Wars Advertiser]

Just like the band at halftime.

[Mark Wilkerson]

And just like that, we're back at it.

[Lego Star Wars Advertiser]

Passionate fans, school colors everywhere, and an ice cold Coca Cola.

[Mark Wilkerson]

That's a winning combo. No matter the sport, no matter the yard. Everybody knows fan work is thirsty work.

[Lego Star Wars Advertiser]

So grab a Coca Cola and keep.

[Mark Wilkerson]

That HBCU pride going.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

This is an iHeart podcast.