From Dropping Names with Brent and Jonny.
Dropping Names…and other things | John Logan
Welcome to another conversation decades in the making.
In this episode, John Logan sits down to reflect on a career shaped by bold choices and stories that have defined modern film, television, and theater… from Gladiator and Skyfall to Star Trek, Broadway, and beyond.
It’s a candid, wide-ranging look at the moments and relationships that shaped his path as a writer, dramatist, and creative force. We talk about storytelling at scale, protecting the soul of a franchise, collaborating with iconic performers and directors, and what it means to create work that lasts.
No scripts. No shortcuts. Just real conversation, honest reflection, and a few moments that remind you why his work mattered then…and still matters now.
Settle in. This one goes deep.
0:00 Boots, Banter, and Setting the Tone
2:41 The Infamous “Paid Nap” Story
5:00 John Logan Joins the Conversation
5:45 Writing Gladiator, Skyfall, and Big Stories
6:04 Did Data Really Die in Star Trek: Nemesis?
6:32 Killing Beloved Characters and Fan Reactions
7:01 Directing Peers and Earning Trust on Star Trek
7:49 First Contact, Rick Berman, and Trek Leadership
8:52 Why This Is (and Isn’t) a Star Trek Podcast
9:18 Starfleet Academy and the Future of Trek
10:26 When Star Trek Risks Becoming Nostalgia
12:11 Why Star Trek Must Stay in Its Own Lane
13:03 Strange New Worlds and Fearless Storytelling
14:11 Picard, the Borg, and the Lost Art of Cliffhangers
15:15 How Star Trek Changed Careers and Lives
16:09 Theater Roots and Early Breakthroughs
18:17 Meeting Legends and Facing Intimidation
20:23 Patrick Stewart’s Legendary Dinner Party
23:01 The “Dragon” Inside Great Creators
30:16 The Aviator, Scorsese, and Thinking in the Edit
46:52 Skyfall, Sam Mendes, and When It All Clicks
49:06 Almost Walking Away from Hannibal
52:02 Failure, Theater, and Mental Armor
54:21 What It Takes to Last in This Business
59:50 Final Reflections and Goodbye
Dropping Names…and other things, is a new podcast featuring Brent Spiner and Jonathan Frakes stepping away from the spotlight to share the real stories… the fans, the friendships, the near-misses, the unexpected moments, and the names you never thought they’d drop.
This is not a Star Trek podcast… but we’re sure it will come up.
But if you’re a Trekkie, you’re absolutely in the right place 🖖
Hosted by iconic actors with a combined century of experience in television, film, and pop culture, Dropping Names delivers candid conversations, behind-the-scenes moments, and stories that only come from a lifetime in Hollywood.
Expect:
• Unfiltered fan stories
• Hollywood behind-the-scenes moments
• Career highs, lows, and pivots
• Familiar faces and unfamiliar truths
Every episode explores a moment that our guests remember about someone famous, where they drop the name and tell the story.
Subscribe now for full episodes and weekly clips. For exclusive content, join our YouTube Membership or visit our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/droppingnames
Interested in visiting the podcast studio set during a recording? Sign up here! https://www.droppingnames.com/studioguest
YouTube (Full Episodes):
https://www.youtube.com/@Dropping-Names
YouTube (Clips):
https://www.youtube.com/@DroppingNamesClips
Instagram (Podcast Show):
https://www.instagram.com/droppingnames
Instagram (Brent Spiner):
https://www.instagram.com/brentjspiner
Instagram (Jonathan Frakes):
https://www.instagram.com/jonathansfrakes
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/droppingnamespodcast
Listen on Audio Platforms:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dropping-names-and-other-things/id1873856889
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36u4ByfKgPlOlEypbHzeyO
Official Website:
https://www.droppingnames.com
