Drama Queens - There’s a new Drama Queen in Town..

Episode Date: July 8, 2024

There’s a new Drama Queen in town as they join the podcast with a (literal) royal entrance. The conversation immediately turns to the arrival of their character and the new beginnings in Tree Hill.  It’s a new chapter… and one you won’t want to miss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. It may look different, but native culture is alive. My name is Nicole Garcia, and on Burn Sage, Burn Bridges, we aim to explore that culture. Somewhere along the way, it turned into this full-fledged award-winning comic shop. That's Dr. Lee Francis IV, who opened the first Native comic bookshop. Explore his story along with many other native stories on the show, Burn Sage, Burn Bridges. Listen to Burn Sage Burn Bridges. Listen to Burn Sage Burn Bridges on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

First of all, you don't know me. We're all about that high school drama girl, drama girl, all about them high school queens. We'll take you for a ride in our comic girl. Drama girl. Cheering for the right team. Drama queens, drama queens, smart girl, rough girl, fashion but you'll tough girl. You could sit with us, girl. Drama queen, drama queens, drama queens, drama queens, drama queens, drama queens.

You guys, we have accomplished all of seasons 1 through 6th. Good Lord. Like, after we reported the last episode, I don't know. I didn't know how to feel like it felt like I could finally take a deep breath. Right? Because every single week it was, oh my God, I got to tell that story. Oh, my God, we have to relive that. And there's obviously like so much good stuff that was in it.

But I would have to kind of psych myself up every week. And this was the first week in years at this point that I've been like, I don't have to, I don't have to divulge shit today. I feel great. Prep today. I was like, I'm just going to eat a smoothie bowl. I feel good today. I'm going to have breakfast and talk to my friends. Yeah.

Easy. Do you guys get psyched out when we have to, like, dick in? sometimes you know what I will say is strange yeah it depends on the episode especially if we don't remember what's coming yeah but what definitely has felt weird these last few weeks I think is knowing like for me the thing that's been not hanging over my head not like it's a bad thing but like the elephant in the room is knowing that that scene you in the comet driving away you know Peyton, her husband, her baby, I was like, and then, and then what? Like, it's such a weird feeling knowing we have more to do and that you literally rode off into the sunset. Like, I was like,

I don't know how I feel about this. It felt weird for us then. It feels weird now. It's weird, man. Yeah, strange transition. Right? It's really strange. Cyclical weirdness. But what's so different this time around is that we have fan feedback this time around. And we, I mean, there were like message boards and stuff, but there was no real social media presence to get immediate reactions of, you know, what people were saying. I don't know that that would have been good for my head. No, thank God there wasn't. This is what I'm saying. I think God there wasn't.

I would not. I don't think I would have fared very well. It's hard enough now and we're adults to have had to deal with the onslaught of social media when our. prefrontal cortexes weren't even formed yet, I think I would have just been like and I'll see myself out. Yeah. I just remember like the Just Jared headline. Remember when Just Jared

was so mean? And they were like Chad, Hillary, think they're too good to return to Tree Hill. And you know, now everybody knows what was going on. But that one, that one like stood out as really like kind of how do I defend myself against this? That's not true.

Yeah, but that's, I think that's the hardest part of that world. matter what, you, you kind of can't. And when you realize that sites like that literally make money by being mean, by whipping people up into a frenzy, by creating judgment, like, you're just one person. You can't possibly defend yourself on even ground with the whole internet. You know that better than anybody. I mean, hello. I think it's why it feels so scary now. I think it's why I've absolutely snapped on your behalf, behavs, ladies, and, like, y'all

have snapped on mine, because it's like, uh-uh, you're not going to do that gross thing, but, like, you also kind of can't stop it. There is another person from that era who's a blogger, who was just being so gross that I finally blocked this blogger,

and now all they do is write shitty things about me, and I'm like, we are in our 40s. How bored do you have to be? Also, like, how sad that this is still what you're doing. That's what I'm saying. The rest of us are busy.

I'm not that busy. You're going to tell me who it is later. I have time now. Well, like the internet is just gross. Well, who knows how that would have affected the storylines, too, because you know how rabid our creator was about making sure that it was, you know, he was dipping into our personal lives. He was, he was, so the fact that he didn't have.

I love that you were like, I'm just going to shake my head and not finish that point. No, I'm skipping. Stopping the sentence. We'll move on. Don't be mean, joy. But I'm so glad that we didn't have that because you know the storylines would have been changing so fast. They would have been just whatever the mood was of the audience or whatever the loudest crowd was. And I'm glad that at least there was some sort of insular situation where everybody could, we could still write things in a room together without worrying about. instant feedback. Well, it's a, you know, blessing and a curse because this go around, being able to tell the truth and talk about all the behind-the-scenes stuff, it has been cathartic. Like, I feel understood in a way that took 15 years to get here. I mean, my son's 14, So it's been 15 years since I just kind of had to swallow this pill of disappearing. So this has been extraordinary. But we know from the fan base that this behind the scene stuff is so important to the fan base of Wonderland Hill.

To just like the culture that's popped up around the show, you know, that our fans can hear that stuff and still be in the game with us is great. Well, and when you talk about the first. fact that it's like it's a blessing and a curse like the coolest blessing I think of social and of I mean this sort of tech change we've been through in general a is that we get to do this podcast we can be in three different states and see each other every week and have these conversations like we couldn't have done that 15 years ago the fact that we have been able to talk about the episodes but also learn from that instant feedback that it is actually the the lessons. It's the behind-the-scenes stories. It's the context that has been the most

sort of healing and empowering for all our friends at home, too. We would have never known that in real time. So that feels like a pretty big lesson. Yeah. It's so valuable to be able to unpack it now with everybody. That's good. Well, I think it has made our conventions and our get-togethers so different and like rewarding in a way because we're all doing therapy together. To that point, we have reached the end of my behind-the-scenes experience on the show. And so I really started to question what I brought to this, but also how we keep that storytelling alive and important.

And so as we head into seasons seven through nine, it was important that we introduced a new queen who could take over for me. I'm still going to pop in here and there, but who represented the same things that I've brought to this show. So we were looking for a queen who was kind of bitchy, like maybe costs too much. Super smart. Someone who doesn't like feelings.

We were looking for a patent 2.0. And as we looked at season 7 through 9 and our co-stars who, you know, we love, and we get to see all the time through conventions and other events. Ladies, we arrived at a really good new addition to this show, don't you think? Mm, so excited. I can't wait. And the fact that we've been able to talk about these sort of three-pillar characters who then became these, you know, three-pillar relationships, it feels very cool that

you know somebody who really does become a pillar who i won't say filled your shoes that's not possible but who certainly walked in with a great pair of their own um and and figured out how to shine on our show like quite possibly one of my favorite humans on the planet yeah yeah yeah stellar all right you guys let's bring in the newest drama queen we won't teach you anyone Oh, my God. Wait. Oh, honey. Hold on.

Oh, no. I always just, do you all not wear queen costumes when you record each episode? Oh, oh, Robert Buckley. Ladies and gentlemen, Robert Buckley. Yes. Listen. How long have you been sitting in it? For about 20 minutes.

I had imagined this. Every time I listened to an episode, I always imagined you all putting on different queen costumes. And now that I think about it, that would require you to have over a hundred different queen costumes. That's unrealistic. Or just one that we were committed to. Like, I would love to know Evil Queen from Snow White,

which queens you thought we were. Oof, great question, diving right in. I gave this a little bit of thought. Hill, you are definitely some sort of queen of darkness. Well. That's the easy lay up, right? I mean, queen of hearts for Sof, I feel like, because you very much are a big heart. And for Joy, Joy, I only know about two queens, fictional and non-fictional.

So any queen that was very cool and multi-talented, you know, I would say like Queen Elizabeth, but honestly, I don't know anything about her. She did stuff and she lived a really long time. How about this one? Queen Latifah. I'm down. Sign me up. That's it. Oh, you guys.

Rob. It's so good to see you all. We need your voice here, babe. We really did. You're going to wear this for the whole episode, right, please? 1,000 percent. Listen, there's actually a non-zero chance I just keep this because, first of all, I tried this on yesterday, and I have never worn a proper dress, and I have to say I'm loving the experience. My legs have never experienced freedom like this before. Isn't it amazing? Truly, it is. I like the way this hugs my arms. And before my son left this morning, he told me I looked beautiful. Wow. And I said, you know what, buddy? I feel beautiful. So maybe Dad Dad keeps this outfit.

This personifies exactly the point of what we're doing here. Because as we introduced you, I'm going to bet a lot of people weren't pegging that it was going to be robbed. They probably didn't think it was going to be a dude. And what feels really, really cool and special to us is you exemplify in such a beautiful way, the like seamlessness of our One Tree Hill family. Like you were one of our very best guests on tour. The audience absolutely died and lived for you. You did two cities, Robert.

I did. I even asked if I could join the third and that Sarah Wood said, we're good. Two was plenty. I still down here. Yeah. I think it was more that flight is sold out, but thank you so much for offering. We probably should have just put you in the back of the RV and packed you with us. Oh, you know I would have been there.

That was so much fun. Yeah. We could have just given you a seat. Just a little seat in a mic in a peanut gallery. Like, I would love to have heard your comments throughout the entire. Yeah. Maybe just a seat up in the corner with you put you little glasses on. You could have just like a little.

Hello. Yeah. I'll be your Andy Richter. I'll hang out in the wings and you can just toss to me when you need a breather. Yeah. Yeah, who was? What's his face is Letterman's guy? Paul.

Paul Schaefer. Schaefer? I'll be your Schaefer. You're bigger than that now, Buckley. You are bigger. You are a queen, an official queen. That's right. and I couldn't be happier.

I will never forget. I was pregnant with Gus. It was like the summer, I was like five months after I left the show. And Daniel called and was like, Hillary, I'm sitting here with a boy version of you. And she put us on the phone together. And so I didn't know what you looked like.

I was just like, who the fuck is this guy that Daniel's making me talk to? We talked on the phone for a while, Buckley. Like, it was so weird. But now you're one of the only humans I can talk to the phone. I guess I don't talk to animals on the phone. So, yeah, you're one of the only, like, creatures I can talk to on the phone for any length of time. Because you're fast. You're fast and you're funny.

And you're kind of a dick. And I think that's fun. And I think the show is going to benefit from all of those qualities. Well, thank you for saying that. And thank you for even inviting me to be a part of this. because as I told you on tour, I was so happy. I root for all three of you individually so hard anyways. You're my friends, but I'm also a fan.

And so anytime you do some thing, I'm behind it and to watch this thing, just take life the way it did and just blow up the way it did and should have. I was so excited for you. So to get to come on that tour and be a part of it. Because I had a similar experience as Austin, right, where y'all had been doing it for a while and I found myself going phone hasn't rang yet that's okay that's okay and then I eventually realized oh yeah you didn't come until season seven there's absolutely no reason for you to be there so getting to do the tour it was so cool and when this first came up when Hillary first text me about it I was in the car with my wife and I I told her and she said this is the perfect thing for you. And I thought, oh, because I'm just quick on my feet, but I can also be deep. And she was like, no, you are such a drama queen. The other day, we were walking, we were walking with my son

around some storefronts. And I said, unironically, to myself, but out loud, hmm, I smell a day spa. And she said, write that down. You are perfect. You are such a perfect male drama queen. This show, it's a fit. It's good. Yeah. Next thing you know, you're going to get all bougie and start wearing, like, diamonds and, like, are you going to get your nails done? Are you going to frost those tips? Yeah. Yeah. I have some questions. I mean, first of all, is there an apprenticeship? I feel like it's a bit presumptuous for me to come in and call myself a queen. Well, that was the tour. We really, we were vetting you at that point. Oh, okay. Yeah. I like that. We play a long game here on drama queen's run. We do things kind of like. you know, when the, when like the president has to pick a VP and you find out they've been watching you for like a year and seeing how you behave in, you know, big public spaces, but also like

on the late night dinner runs. We did that with you. Yeah. We kept a notes file. We had a point system. Which one of you is going to have the white smoke coming out of their chimney to announce to the the world of drama queen's fans that a new queen has been chosen. Yes, yes. No, I live in the witch house. It's, you know.

It's Hillary. Black painted house. And surely, there will be a bonfire at midnight. Passing the torch. Yeah, we'll drink midnight. Margaritas is going to be a blast. You will come in this outfit.

Obviously, Rob. Weekly. Great. We'll be in our Druid cloaks. Yep. It may look different, but native culture is very alive. My name is Nicole Garcia, and on Burn Sage, Burn Bridges, we aim to explore that culture. It was a huge honor to become a television writer because it does feel oddly, like, very traditional.

It feels like Bob Dylan going electric, that this is something we've been doing for a kind of two years. You carry with you a sense of purpose and confidence. That's Sierra Teller Ornelis, who with Rutherford Falls became the first native showrunner in television history. On the podcast, Burn Sage Burn Bridges, we explore her story, along with other Native stories, such as the creation of the first Native Comic-Con or the importance of reservation basketball. Every day, native people are striving to keep traditions alive while navigating the modern world, influencing and bringing our culture into the mainstream. Listen to Burn Sage Burn Bridges on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. True story about this little backstory. I wanted this one from the jump.

As soon as I knew we were doing this, I thought, oh, this is the bit I have to do. It's so obvious. And I order it. And yesterday I get an email. or no, two days I get an email saying, hey, your shipment's delayed. No. And it's tricky because it's not just,

it's a random guy costume. It's a woman's costume that I have to find in a plus size. And so I'm frantically looking. Jenny and I never get dating. We're on a date night and I'm at the table. She was like, well, you got to find a new costume. I'm like, I sure do. And the only one was a queen of hearts one.

And I said, it's a little, it's just kind of just like a slutty outfit. It's not like, I need this to, I used to be a visually, so clear immediately what it is. I ordered it anyways because I thought I at least want to have an option. It was terrible, but yesterday involved me just trying on, you know. Please tell me that you just put on the slutty Queen of Hearts outfit for Jenny specifically. Please tell me you took photos of all of them.

I tore it before I even got my second arm in. So it was very clear. That Excel wasn't going to work. But Jenny did sneak a video of me when I came out of. of the bedroom in this that once this. She's going to send that to me. I'm texting her now. I'll post it to share with the world once this comes out because. That feels right. It does. It does feel right. Can we make it like slow-mo but to the rocky music and then you make it go into a song from Wicked? I just, I'm building a montage in my brain right now.

Listen, I hear the director coming out in you and I love it. Run with it. Let's go. Rob, if you ever need a witch costume for Christmas this year, my manager gave me a costume from a very famous drag queen. So in my office right now, I have a huge hat, a seven-foot-tall broom, and a men's grown-up-sized witch dress with your name on it. So you can be a queen of darkness. No one does costumes better than a drag queen. I got it.

I got it. It's true. So I know that that is tremendous. Yeah. This is your name. all over it. We need to talk about, though, like, the lore of one tree hill. Because you coming in in season seven, our show had been on the air, we didn't really know what people would say about us, but we'd run into people at the Teen Choice Awards and they'd be like, oh, tree hill kids, right?

Like, what was word on the street for all of you beautiful people out there in Los Angeles about, like, the tree hill kids? Yeah. I, there was no word that I was aware of. I knew of the show. So we were irrelevant. Yeah. No, because you also have to keep in mind, it's, it's, the, the sample set's a little skewed because I am not one who really ran in an actor-heavy tea gossip crowd. I always kind of tried to distance myself from that. So I, I'm not a good go-to person for like what the buzz was on anything. I think I went to one club when I lived in L.A. for 15 years. Like, I, I was uncool when I got to L.A., so I was never hip to the tea.

But when the audition came in, I just, this hood is killing me. I know. By the way, you got to love that I thought, you know, it would be great for an audio. You're popping your collar? Yeah. You know what plays great on an audio-only platform, Rob? Visual gags. Hey, we're on YouTube now, Rob.

Yeah, this is going to live. I have a question, though. I knew that. And I went, and I saw, and I opened one, and it was audio only. Are there ones with video now? Yes. They're coming. What is it?

Starting in season three? Is that where video shows out? I don't know. That's why. We didn't. This is one of the things we learned in the feedback from our lovely friends at home. They were like, hey, we know there's videos somewhere because you guys are on Zoom. And we were like, huh, we probably should have planned this better.

Probably should have been recording in 4K. So we began to get our act together, just not immediately, which you got to be honest, tracks for us. Yeah. Oh, yeah. We were just like excited to sit down and like, you know, eat on popcorn and talk to each other. And suddenly we were like, oh, wait, people actually want to watch this too. We should. Yeah. Whoops. I got to say yes and no, though, because you three are so savvy and smart that I was shocked. Because when it initially came out is right when this all started becoming a possibility. And then the Instagram account said, we have a big announcement tomorrow and I text Hillary and thought and said hey that's what's what's the big announcement

because we barely started talking yeah exactly am I the big announcement can it always be about me and and and I found out no it was that was coming to YouTube and I had this moment of going huh I wait why has it not been on YouTube because I would watch the snippets on the Instagram and just assumed you obviously have a full-in version why is it not because I love to be able to watch the people I'm listening to. Listen, I would have known you don't wear queen outfits every day. You're going to stop me from coming dressed like, you don't get invited to the big show and not wear your nicest outfit. You know what I mean? You're setting a new tone, friend. Yeah, more costume, the better. Yeah, I mean, you came from

the world of business. You were like a math nerd. Yeah, yeah. I studied, I got my degree in economics. And then I went, I got a hired right out of college and I went into economic litigation consulting which is as boring as it sounds yeah can you wear costumes at that job yeah no i'm happy and i'm okay to tell you i was not good at it they hired this firm hired two people my ear they hired myself and i met the other candidate on our first day and uh ohana was her name and she was a double major from caltech in mathematics and computer science oh underachiever i i genuinely And you only had a moment of going, did they have a quota of Caucasian males that needed filling? Because I'm not, I'm not dumb.

I'm a smart guy. But that level, Caltech double major in those things. And then I saw the work that was happening. The only I could tell myself was, because I kind of talked my way into the job a bit, I just said, it must be that she is the person who will crunch the analytics. and I am the person who will pitch it or tell it, share it with the client. Because you're an actor. Yeah, because it didn't.

It was on day two. This collar. The math wasn't mathing. The perfectionist in me, which, you know, I'm trying to let go of, is just dying at this thing. I'm going to embrace it now. No more fixing it.

You guys, Rob has fixed this collar once every 20 seconds. I want a whole just Instagram reel of Rob's collar corrections on this episode. That's what I want. Can you imagine the Snow White Queen constantly correcting her collar throughout the entire? I mean, we need to do a movie

where you play the Queen in Snowway and you're just being comedy, Rob. I would definitely buy tickets for that. And wouldn't it be funny? Because that would be the best character choice because it might explain why she was so angry. Yes. Yeah.

But also, for those of you who haven't checked out the Drama Queen's YouTube channel, great opportunity now to go on to YouTube.com with Drama Queen's like and subscribe and tell us what you think of this adorable outfit while you're at it. You were made for this. Made for this, honey.

I have a quick question. I do, I'm not trying to derail your question, Hillary. I'm with you. But I do have a quick question regarding perks as a drama queen. First of all, can I add that to my Instagram bio now? Yep. You definitely done. Hondo. It should actually be the first thing listed. It's going to

be the only thing listed. Not actually. You're not dad. It's just going to be drama queen. That's how your son should refer to you when he introduces you. I'm no longer dada. I am Dada drama queen or just Dada queen. At the DMV, can I cut in line? If you're wearing this costume.

Yeah, probably they would let you in this outfit. Can I vote more than once in elections? No. Do I get discounts at Jamba Juice? I feel like you could talk your way into that. figure out the perks as we go, guys. I was just curious. Yeah. You know what? You know what? This is actually a phenomenal

opportunity for a Drama Queen's Dairy Queen crossover. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah, I'm into it. Why don't we have that endorsement? I don't know, but I'd like a Blizzard. Perhaps. You want a Blizzard machine. I do.

You know what Rob and I want? Corn dogs. You all ever had corned dogs? Oh, my God, they're the best. A little soft serve with that chocolate dip that hardens. just that hard shell dip corn dog yeah getting back to what you were saying Hillary I was sort of

in the dark I just knew it was very popular beautiful people and that was it and I got the audition for it the character wasn't very fleshed out the time it was just Nathan's agent and so I read I think for

it was actually I read for our boss and it went well and then the callback was for our boss in his right hand man and it was funny because the boss was was hyping me up before it oh he's great is this that and his right hand man was like enough let's just see it great and i proceeded to just go up on a line about so in other words to forget my line audience yeah two lines into this thing so on the heels of probably a 60 second this kid's great it was like how are you doing line and I just remember thinking

this is wow I'm normally a lot better than this did you say that I'm normally so good you guys just hire me and then you'll see but I got the job right and I remember okay I always want to do my homework

so I immediately went to Best Buy I got the DVDs of seasons 5 and 6 DVDs right and I'll never forget this is God It was on his truth. It was Saturday night or whatever. And there was a UFC fight. So I had a bunch of my, I'm in my hometown. I'm back in my parents' house. I have a bunch of my hometown buddies come over. We get pizza. We watch the UFC card. It ends kind of early. Like, what should we do? And I said, hey, actually, guys, crazy idea. I just got this new job. I need to start doing homework. If you want, let's hang out and let's just watch this thing. Let's just see. Let's just bro out on some tree. Right. It's a bunch of, you know, 28-year-old dudes who just eat pizza and beer, you know?

And so everyone starts. We start watching it. And I'm kind of already laughing going like, I'm going to get roasted for this. I hope I like this. You know, and it starts. It's pretty people and it's drama. And then the first song came in. And I thought, damn, this show has really good music. And by like 30 minutes, because I'm also, I'm very young guy. I'm trying to. be cool. I don't know about the show, guys. I don't even know what it's going to be. By 30 minutes in, yeah, by about the 30 minute mark, my dad came in and was like, hey, do you guys want? And I was like, shut up, dad. Brooke has a life or death decision right now. Not now. I was so invested. I immediately got it. I was like, oh, this is why the show, this is why the show is what it is.

And that was my interest, and all my friends as well, in, in, in, from USC to Drama Queens. that was our evening. I love that. That is always one of my favorite things, especially, because to your point, we were all in our 20s, right? So the fans that were our age when we were on the show, more I would say dudes than not would often start like, hey, I know you, my girlfriend loves your show. And then, you know, we'd like bump into somebody, I don't know, out at a bar.

And then I could always tell when those guys were on like their fourth beer. Because it would be like, man, just like when Brooke Davis found out she could not get pregnant, that was like, that was really heavy. It was like really, really heavy, man. And I'd be like, your girlfriend loves this show, huh? Interesting. Yeah. Okay. That's my favorite thing.

That happens a lot also because there's a lot of guys who are uncomfortable paying another guy, especially a strange male, a stranger, a compliment. A strange male. You get it either two ways. you get the oh hey if my girlfriend wants a picture whatever but then you sometimes get the guys who want to make it real clear that they that they just they're not even interested in you are and you'll get the can get a selfie sure i don't even know who you are my girlfriend just said yeah yeah they have to say i don't know you but my yeah but it's it's as we're taking a photo and i always just laugh going why did that need to be said why would you tell me that for what

That's sort of like going, hey, can we get a picture? That shirt fits you weird. Why are you roasting me right before I'm doing this nice thing and we're having a moment, you know? Yeah. You came up to my table, man. I'm just my to eat my job on. It may look different, but native culture is very alive. My name is Nicole Garcia.

And on Burn Sage, Burn Bridges, we aim to explore that. culture it was a huge honor to become a television writer because it does feel oddly like very traditional it feels like Bob Dylan going electric that this is something we've been doing for like hundreds of years you carry with you a sense of purpose and confidence that's Sierra Taylor Ornellis who with Rutherford Falls became the first native showrunner in television history on the podcast Burn Sage Burn Bridges we explore her story along with other native stories such as the creation of the first native comic-con or the importance of reservation

basketball every day native people are striving to keep traditions alive while navigating the modern world influencing and bringing our culture into the mainstream listen to burn sageburn bridges on the iHeart radio app apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts You absolutely do your homework, Rob. This is something that you are consistent with. And so you did your homework leading up. Did you watch the seasons in order? Or did you just, like, jump into season five so you would know what was happening right before you show up?

Yes. I realized I didn't have the time. It wasn't realistic that I was because I got hired and it was a very quick turnaround. Oh, it was? Like weeks? No, ma'am. It was less than a week, I think. No.

Yes. So much so that. Yeah, so I remember I just found the synopsies for seasons one through four, just the broad stroke, top level. So I could just sort of have a general idea. Just kissing and crying. Exactly. And then I bingeed watch five and six. Got it.

And that, yeah, and that, so that, that was it. So I was, but so I had, well, I hadn't watched seasons one through four. I felt pretty comfortable. It wasn't like an experience of coming in and going, I don't know if I know everything. There'd be occasional callbacks. Yeah. That was that you folded in so seamlessly. You seemed so comfortable.

And I haven't watched the premiere of season seven since it came out. I was really surprised at how I was wondering, like, is this just because I know Rob or? No, it's not. The way you moved around the set, the way you moved around with the different actors that you were interacting with you and James had this rapport that seemed like you'd known each other for years. It was really great. I mean, I guess that's what actors do. But, you know. Did you guys know each other from before?

No. What's funny, and I wanted to ask you about this, Sof, so the only person I knew was Sof. And I was actually trying to remember, I don't know our actual origin story, but all I know is you and I hung out in New York City. Yep. I was there, I think, doing lipstick. Yep. You came out for something. And so we were, we somehow met before then because we knew each other enough that one of us reached out to the other.

and we went and we got uh cats is together we went shopping and the you know in soho yeah but how did we first meet i think it was i think it was brook shields because i've known her for so long brook shields surely what what are you guys talking about she's just the nicest human being in the world yeah and you were doing lipstick jungle with her and oh my god remember if it was like I don't know because when we got into seasons five and six I was really trying to learn

like truly learn about the fashion industry not like you know I'm going to make up that I know how to sew and sew a whole line as a high school student in an hour on a TV show but like you know I was supposed to you know Brooke Davis was supposed to be like the head of one of the biggest brands in America

so I I took a lot of meetings with women who had started lines. Like, I remember meeting Monique Lulier and Tori Birch and, like, all these women who became these sort of iconic, you know, bastions of

female American fashion designers. Yeah. And so I would, like, go up and try, you know, we'd get a day off, and I'd take the one hour flight to New York and go to, like, three shows and take a meeting. And I was, like, meeting,

I don't know, just a lot of people in that world trying to, like, do homework. And I feel like it was like a fashion week thing you guys were doing for your show and I probably made a joke about how the most irritating thing about those parties is there's no food anywhere and you

I in my memory cracked a joke about probably a hot dog and I think it was like I think I said to you have you ever been to Katz's Deli and that was it I was like bro we got to get a pastrami and a matzabal soup immediately and then we were fast friends because we were like oh you you eat the things

me too, let's go. Yeah. Oh, you love yourself? Great. Let's go eat a pastrami and some lot because, okay, let's go. This is great. This sounds like a wonderful day. Rob, that's how we met too.

Rob is the person that just wants to eat with you. And when we first met, it was my first time seeing everyone since I left the show. It was the convention in Paris. And so I was so kind of uncomfortable because I didn't know where I stood with so many people. And Rob, I was like, wait a second. you're that dude I talked to on the phone. And we peeled off immediately. It was just like, we need to go, like, eat things and not talk about the show.

Let's talk about everything else. And then I met up with you again in Vancouver for food where you were teaching my son how to do magic tricks because you were a child magician. That's right. If you guys haven't gone to dinner with Rob, you're in luck because Drama Queens is now a Rob Buckley dinner party. Does this mean we get food at? every week? Oh, my goodness. Have you heard about corn dogs?

Dairy queen corn dogs. Dat dog in Louisiana? Back to what you were saying, Joy, about it, feeling natural. So I have very few memories of One Tree Hill. This is a pattern with me. I mean, I remember maybe 20% of my childhood, but I remember, this is why I'm kind of, and I'm very excited to do this with you all, because truly, I never went back and rewatched the show.

Yeah. So much will come back to you when you're watching. It unlocks. One Tree Hill was an interesting time for me, more to that to come. But when One Tree Hill ended, I was very comfortable shutting the door and just never looking back. And so, and then, I mean, a lot has happened. Maybe that's a conversation for a different time, but in terms of, like, so I left it

kind of going, that was a lot. And then these conventions started and we got to all meet as adults out of that environment. And I felt like I'm so grateful for the conventions because they gave me the second experience with One Tree Hill where I got to really get to know you guys. And by that point, I had really started to know myself as well. So I was able to have these new relationships. And I have now such a greater appreciation for the show and for that experience. So just that to say that I am very interested to watch because I remember so little. But one thing I do remember very clearly, I think it was the first scene Joy and I ever had.

And it was us on the, like your patio, or maybe my character's patio. We were outside and I was sitting in a chair. And you basically came in hot saying, this is my husband's dream. He provides for his family. Don't screw this up. It was a, you know, a wonderfully Haley speech, right? Or moment. And I just remember, you know how, you know, as an actor, just as a human sometimes?

in a scene and you're doing the scene, but you're also like having thoughts about whether it's like, I can't believe I'm in this with this person or that just happened. I remember sitting in the chair being kind of scolded or yelled at by you and thinking, oh, this is going to be fun. This is true. Good. That's so great. So I felt the same way. I kind of, it was just, it was easy with you. Great. I see what this is going to be. We're going to play. You give it. I give it. All right. Great. Well, that's, that's kind of one of my questions was how, was it intimidating coming in or did it feel easy? I mean, I know as an adult actor, it's part of the job you come in and out of shows that have been established for a long time, but we were still

pretty young. And was that feeling coming in before you had that moment where, you know, we knew, okay, this is going to be fun. I get him. I get his vibe, his sense of humor. Like, we're going to be able to play in these scenes. There's not, there's space for all that. But before that moment, was it nerve-wracking? Did you have a lot of time to spend with us before the show? Or is it just like shot out of the cannon walking in? Like, let's see how this goes. It's out of a canon completely. And there's, I had never, I had been, I have replaced people or been, or been a replacement on a pilot. But I had never joined something that was already going so strong for so long. Yeah. Yeah. And again, pre-therapy, my thinking was, okay,

only two things have changed on this show. Two things went away and two things came in. So if this does not go well, if this does not at least maintain, if not improve, I am at minimum 50% to blame for the demise of this popular successful show. That's all his nerd math. He's like the percentages of responsibility.

I truly was. Wait, that's got to really mess with your head. That's a lot of pressure. Well, yeah, and it's also just, Because now as an adult, I know it's, that's out of my control. Of course. I suit up. I show up.

I do my best and the rest is none of my business, you know? And if fans aren't going to like that, you know, Hillary and Chad aren't there, then, you know, all I can do is my best. And that's it. Yeah. I don't know, dude. I watched episode one today to prep because before you came on, I wanted to see episode 701.

I wanted to see who this clay man was. And you are so slick and likable, which is a very fine line to walk. Yeah, right? It's like, oh, this is the skeeve that just like sleeps with rando chicks. But also he's so funny. And he's like quick. He's on the phone with his mom. And like I just, I got why you fit automatically.

Yeah. You know, like it was really, it was cute. Yeah, it was multidimensional. Baby Rob. Yeah. Into it. Thanks. I can't, I can't wait to see it.

Well, did they give you any idea what your trajectory was going to be? Like, obviously it's like, oh, this is an agent. What's his long game? No, they didn't. And also, speaking of messing with your head, I, the first scene that you see Clayton was not the first scene we shot. There was a scene, the very first scene they had me do. It was me giving a lecture or a speech to 200 extras. I remember this.

Yeah, right? Yeah, I remember about this. It was a whole thing. Yeah, I think it was the first day. Maybe I met you. I met Chantelle. There's a lot of people there. But it's just so funny that your first scene, they're like, hey, go ahead and just do a three-page

monologue in front of 200 people, new hire. Let's see how this goes. But, you know, I felt it went well. And then I remember shortly there after them going, yeah, we're canning that scene. And we're going to write you a new scene. stop that is such a scary thing for a new actor on a show that's been so established and when there's so much on your shoulders to get a call like that where you're like did i just completely screw this whole thing up and like you have to write differently because i'm so bad that would be

the first thing that i think and like it's amazing because that's not what they did at all continue well and i like you i will if there is a problem i will default to looking for the cause of the problem within myself. Yeah. So as opposed to this scene didn't work. My first thought is, was I not good? Did I not make the right choice? You know what I mean?

But they were good about saying it's just, it's a little flat. It's not as good as it could have been. They knew you were better than what they wrote and they had to step up. And truth be told, this scene that they ended up doing, which I think it's Clay rolling a call while he's ADD walking around his office. He's bouncing a ball off the wall. He's talking to an assistant through the wall. So much better.

It forms the audience so much more as to who this guy is versus me standing in a place, Ted talking for three minutes. I've never seen them do that in the history of our show. Have you guys? Where they shot a, they fully shot something and then said, you know what? We don't like this. Let's do some else. I had that whole storyline with the orphan. You guys, that's how you got on the show.

Okay. Well, besides that, they literally shot the pilot with a different Haley. That's true. Super true. Sometimes. Yeah, they did it a couple times, but to do it this late in the game. I mean, when you're in the process of setting up the show, I get it. But I'm glad they took the time with you because I thought that introduction was really effective.

I agree. And again, like, we have loved James in the bromances that we've got to see him in. And to get to see him on a whole new one. So fun. Yeah. You know what I will also say? There's something very cool to me. I get what you mean, Hill, that, like, in the beginning, they might be a little more willing to say, we haven't quite found it yet in terms of what the show needs.

But I also think the inverse of that, seven years in, is by the end of your first week, Rob, they were like, wait, he's quick, he's funny, his physical comedy is great. And we wrote him a scene where he has to stand still like a car salesman and talk to kids. that's like a boring adult thing and this guy is like young sexy funny exciting we should give him something funny and exciting that makes his character seem like sexy and edgy and like he's got all this stuff going on and i like that they knew they could take the time and do that because we were seven years in who at home was going to be like you absolutely don't have the budget to spend half a day shooting a new scene like they were like buff yes we do And they did it, and it was the right call.

Yeah. Also, I mean, it was a great example of the first scene was, what is the old added? It's a show, don't tell, right? And the first way they had it was just me standing. This is who the character is. He's very successful and important. Yeah. Also, you need to get the intro of this character, right?

Because, of course, everyone's going to be going, who's the new guy who's the Chad? We love. Yeah. That's what I was just thinking, because it's such. big as you know shoes to fill which you you know that's not that there were shoes to fill it was just a there was an empty space and it's how do you bring somebody into that it's probably why you got the job so late rob because they were looking for so long to try and find somebody who could come in with an energy that felt familiar but was new enough that people weren't going to

compare you to chad and what was interesting actually is that because your energy is so similar to Hillary's and so similar to Peyton, the audience is getting that familiarity, but it's not in the way that they, to where it would be comparable with Chad at all. And Shantel. Yeah, and Chantel actually is on the other spectrum with this sort of complicated emotional Lucas energy. It was so smart. They inverted the characters in a really, really smart way and they gave us boy Hillary and girl Chad. Yeah. I was wanting to be a boy. It's so smart. Damn. And me, A girl. We did it. We freaky Friday did it. Freaky Friday. You got called beautiful by your Sunday, Rob. How do you feel? Hey, the rest of the day's bonus, all right? It's a win today.

That's right. It may look different, but Native culture is very alive. My name is Nicole Garcia, and on Burn Sage, Burn Bridges, we aim to explore that culture. It was a huge honor to become a television writer because it does feel oddly like very traditional. It feels like Bob Dylan going electric that this is something we've been doing for hundreds of years. You carry with you a sense of purpose and confidence. That's Sierra Taylor Ornellis, who with Rutherford Falls became the first native showrunner in television history. On the podcast, Burn Sage, Burn Bridges, we explore her story, along with other native stories, such as the

creation of the first Native Comic-Con or the importance of reservation. basketball. Every day, Native people are striving to keep traditions alive while navigating the modern world, influencing and bringing our culture into the mainstream. Listen to Burn Sageburn Bridges on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I have only heard about your character through conventions and what happens to to Clay on his trajectory in Tree Hill sounds very similar to the things that Peyton experienced. And it felt weird that we had so much crossover. So I would love to do a little never, have I ever with you as Clay and Peyton. My first question is, have you ever had a stalker?

Whoa. Yes. Have you cheated on anyone? No. Not that I'm aware of. Peyton did. To the best of my collection, Clay, after his wife passed, spoiler alert. After his wife passed, it was just a series of sort of flings. He never allowed himself to get sort of attached to anything. So there was really no opportunity to cheat. He didn't really open himself up again until it was with Quinn. That's very Brooke Davis of him, actually. Yeah.

But wait, speaking of dead wife, one of these on here, have you ever been abandoned or had like the loved one die? Oh, and in the most tragic way. By the way, when I was a couple episodes ago, like just you're, what you had to do so often, but especially in like season six, Hillary, you had such heavy lifting. I remember at one point because you all were talking about it, how it's just, boy, she's really going through it.

And I remember thinking of myself, man, that would be just so exhausting as an actor, good for Hillary. And then I had a moment of going, my wife died, I had an estranged kid. Oh my gosh, that's right. You had a secret relative? No, I had a son I forgot about trauma. Capital T trauma, Clayhead.

Oh, my God. So you were the Ellie. I love this. Joy, I see you making the same face I'm making. We're watching it happen. Like, knowing that Rob is going to come in and share his boy Peyton journey from season seven to nine. But as you're doing in such an exemplary fashion right now, Hillary is remaining on as our

wonderful co-executive producer. And we'll be popping in to do little games like this every couple of of episodes. Like, seeing you learn about this show now because you're going to watch it like a fan is so fun for me. I've watched episodes one and two, you guys. Like, I'm just in pure fan mode right now. I like, you know, you've almost died.

I've almost died. Have you been shot? Yup. Can I ask you a question? Yeah. Have you ever been in a coma? Oh, yeah. Duh.

The whole season six. What about drugs? You ever do drugs? Yep. Yep. Car wreck? Okay. Ooh, car wrecks?

No, not that I'm aware. Danger. I don't remember one. You say snarky shit anytime you don't want to feel feelings. Regularly. Maybe. I can't wait for this journey that we're all going to take together. And I'm so happy that you're here, Rob.

And I'm happy that your wife gets to watch you go through this. costume change in life and this new chapter um i love her and i think you your child is really going to benefit from your queenness oh this is because now i'm really flying that flag super high and uh honestly i want to say thank you so much for inviting me into this and always just being so welcoming because i have been so excited about the idea of doing this is going to be so much fun but I appreciate the opportunity. Thank you for the invitation to the coolest table in the lunchroom.

We love you, Rob. Do we need to spin a wheel with Rob as his entrance? Let's spin a wheel, guys. Let's spin a wheel, honey. Okay, wait. Rob's first wheel. Also, Hillary, do you want to give an honorable mention

for your time on One Tree Hill? For the whole thing? Yup. Whoa. Whoa. I'm going to give an honorable mention. honorable mention to the hair and makeup trailer because it's the first thing you enter into when you get to work and it is where everyone gets to know each other. And so having that clubhouse

where you can be the baddest kids ever. Oh yeah. That's where all the good stories start from. Oh my God. Okay. So we have our most likely to give it. What is it, Rob? Most likely to fall in love with a stranger. Don't we all? Isn't that what we do is fall in love with strangers? No, Sophia only falls in love with people. She's known for a very long time. It's true. I fell in love with a stranger once.

It didn't go over well for me. I don't do that shit anymore. I vet people for a long, long time. Rob, how long did you know Jenny before you knew she was like the one? I was going to say, listen, if we're talking on characters in the show, Clay, because I think very early he announces his intentions with Quinn. And if we're talking in real life, it's me, because I saw. I saw Jenny.

I sent her, we got, Matt, we got introduced, and I looked her up on Instagram, and I saw she was funny. I heard her laugh, and I thought it was so beautiful. And so I got her number, and I shot her a text, and she sent me a video back, which was so brave, and she was so funny and relaxed. And I fell in love. I was like, oh, this is, this is it. Because it was right at time of life, I was ready to put my big boy pants on.

And so I thought, timing is everything. I think this is my person. Yeah, she's magic. Awesome. Well, Rob, tell us what's in the next episode. Yeah, so for season seven, episode one, Nathan learns of a shocking accusation that could threaten his career, much to the chagrin of his new sports agent, Clay. Brooke prepares to launch a new fashion line, and Julian decides to produce a big movie. Haley's sister Quinn makes a surprise visit.

Meanwhile, Jamie celebrates his seventh birthday. Woo! Okay. Next week. next week, guys. Oh, what an amazing journey this has been so far, and you can't wait to continue on with you. Kick ass, buddy.

Have fun. Bye. Hey, thanks for listening. Don't forget to leave us a review. You can also follow us on Instagram at Drama Queens, O-TH. Or email us at Drama Queens at iHeartRadio.com. See you next time. We're all about that high school, drama girl, drama girl, all about them high school queens.

Take you for a ride and our comic girl Charing for the right team Drama queens, drama queens smart girl, rough girl, fashion but you're tough girl You could sit with us girl Drama queens drama queens drama queens drama queens drama queens drama queens Drama queens drama queens It may look different but native culture is alive

My name is Nicole Garcia And on Burn Sage, Burn Bridges We aim to explore that culture Somewhere along the way, it turned into this full-fledged award-winning comic shop. That's Dr. Lee Francis IV, who opened the first native comic bookshop. Explore his story along with many other native stories on the show, Burn Sage Burn Bridges. Listen to Burn Sage Burn Bridges on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast.