Film Room

Abington Heights grad Mike Dargatis’ journey from sports to Hollywood

Welcome back to the Film Room Podcast! In this episode, Joe Baress sits down with Mike Dargatis, a former Abington Heights standout football and basketball player and now an actor. They discuss his high school sports career, his transition to acting, his acting career and much, much more.
You can listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music and, of course, Podbean. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode.
Dargatis was a former Times-Tribune Athlete of the Week as a quarterback and helped lead the Comets to a District 2 Class 4A title in basketball during his senior year at Abington Heights. He moved on to Clarion University to play football before transferring to Wilkes, where he graduated with a degree in communication studies. He then moved to Pittsburgh where he had a job in medical records at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
That's when his career path changed, as he ended up on an A & E show “Those Who Kill” playing a waiter. From there, he knew he wanted to be an actor, and went full force into acting classes and workshops. He was an extra in major Hollywood films, playing a hospital patient in 2015’s “Southpaw” and a protester in 2016’s “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.”
He worked on independent films before earning a guest starring role on Investigation Discovery show “Who Killed Jane Doe” in 2018. Then he moved to Los Angeles. Dargatis has starred in many commercials for Walmart, Sling, Experian, Office Depot, DoorDash, August Home, AirBnb, Chase Bank, Wallor Smart Wallet, Mercedes, Lockheed Martin, Forward, VSP, Mazda and Arlo to name a few.
He's worked on films, such as 2021's "The Handler," 2022's "Gasoline Alley," which starred Bruce Willis, Luke Wilson and Devon Sawa, and 2024's "Saint Nick," among others. He also had a co-starring role in prime-time TV show "Magnum PI" in 2023. His likeness was also used in the popular video game "Spider-Man 2."

21ST CENTURY IN FILM PART II: Breaking down the best movies of the past 25 years

Welcome to a special bonus episode (Part II) of the Film Room Podcast! Host Joe Baress is joined by movie aficionados Rebecca Kivak and Tamara Dunn, founders of the Take 2 movie column/blog, to do a deep dive into the New York Times' 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century, and share their Top 10 movies of the past 25 years.
 
You can listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music and, of course, Podbean. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode.

21ST CENTURY IN FILM PART I: Breaking down the best movies of the past 25 years

Welcome to a special bonus episode (Part I) of the Film Room Podcast! Host Joe Baress is joined by movie aficionados Rebecca Kivak and Tamara Dunn, founders of the Take 2 movie column/blog, to do a deep dive into the New York Times' 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century, and share their Top 10 movies of the past 25 years.
 
You can listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music and, of course, Podbean. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode.

ANSWER THE CALL: Valley View star stellar in Cougars’ run to state title

Welcome back to the Film Room Podcast! In Episode 43, The Times-Tribune Athlete of the Week Valley View star softball player Abbi Call joins hosts Joe Baress and Joby Fawcett to discuss her team’s state title victory, playing through injury, her decision to commit to Clemson, what this Valley View team meant to her and more.
We also wrap up the end of the high school sports season, discussing the Abington Heights girls lacrosse team that made it to the state semifinals and the incredible seasons area girls teams and athletes had in the 2024-25 school year. We also touch on Riverside star football player Tavian Branch committing to Rutgers.
You can listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music and, of course, Podbean. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.

GOING FOR GOLD: Valley View softball state title game preview

Welcome back to the Film Room Podcast for a bonus episode! Host Joe Baress is joined by beat writer Scott Walsh to preview Thursday's PIAA Class 4A softball championship game between District 2 champion Valley View and District 3 champion Kennard-Dale. We take a look back at the Cougars' season, talk about the key moments and players who got Valley View this far and break down the championship game. If you need something to listen to before the game or on the drive down to Penn State, we've got you covered.
You can listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music and, of course, Podbean. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode.

HISTORIC SEASON: Gilbert, Abington Heights reach state semis

Welcome back to the Film Room Podcast! In Episode 42, The Times-Tribune Athlete of the Week Abington Heights lacrosse standout Sadie Gilbert joins hosts Joe Baress and Joby Fawcett to discuss her journey in lacrosse, playing at Abington Heights, the Lady Comets’ first round and quarterfinal victories, their preparation for Tuesday’s semifinal matchup with Strath Haven and much more.
We also discuss Valley View’s thrilling victory Monday in the softball state semifinals to reach Thursday’s state title game, Riverside star football player Tavian Branch’s big decision coming this week and other spring sports state playoff action.
You can listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music and, of course, Podbean. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.

TAYLORMADE: Valley View’s Cawley stellar at states

Welcome back to the Film Room Podcast! In Episode 41, The Times-Tribune Athlete of the Week Valley View star softball player Taylor Cawley joins hosts Joe Baress and Joby Fawcett to discuss her performance in the softball postseason, her struggles with injuries and overcoming them, how she got started in the sport, what it’s like playing at Valley View, her decision to continue her career at Binghamton University and more.
We also discuss the softball playoffs and the Lackawanna League’s four remaining teams, including Valley View, North Pocono, Mid Valley and Holy Cross; and the baseball playoffs, with Mid Valley advancing to the quarterfinals.
We also discuss the state lacrosse playoffs and opening-round victories by the Abington Heights girls and Scranton Prep boys. We also talk about the volleyball playoffs and Abington Heights star Nick Bradley earning Gatorade Player of the Year.
You can listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music and, of course, Podbean. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.

PODIUM FINISH: Prep’s Velaga earns bronze in tennis

Welcome back to the Film Room Podcast! In episode 40, The Times-Tribune Athlete of the Week Scranton Prep tennis star Akhilesh Velaga joins hosts Joe Baress and Joby Fawcett to discuss his third-place finish at the PIAA Class 2A championships, his growth from freshman year to senior year, how he got started in the sport, what he’ll cherish most about his tennis career at Scranton Prep and more.
We also discuss the PIAA track and field championships, District 2 baseball and softball playoffs with finals starting Tuesday, the District 2 lacrosse playoffs and the District 2 volleyball playoffs.
You can listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music and, of course, Podbean. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.

CLEARING HURDLES: Davis shines; spring playoffs heat up

Welcome back to the Film Room Podcast! Episode 39 is jam-packed, including District 2 baseball and softball previews. But first, as always, The Times-Tribune Athlete of the Week Lakeland track and field athlete Kaylyn Davis joins hosts Joe Baress and Joby Fawcett to discuss her impressive performance at the District 2 Class 2A track and field championships while battling the flu. She also shares how much it means to her to compete at Lakeland alongside her teammates and what it takes to balance her events and looks ahead to the state championship meet.
Then we are joined by our colleague and friend Scott Walsh in the second half of the episode as he gives a full breakdown of the District 2 baseball and softball playoffs.
You can listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music and, of course, Podbean. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.

GOLDEN RUN: Kravitz secures wins, medals, records

Welcome back to the Film Room Podcast! In Episode 38, The Times-Tribune Athlete of the Week North Pocono track and field athlete Kaitlyn Kravitz joins hosts Joe Baress and Joby Fawcett to discuss her record-breaking performance at the Robert Spagna Championships, her performance at the District 2 Class 3A Championships, her future, what it’s like to be part of a family of athletes, what it’s like balancing her events and much, much more.
We also dive deeper into the District 2 track and field championships, and discuss the weather’s impact on spring sports, especially baseball and softball, and how the athletes have battled through postponements. We also talk about the difficulty in adding a tiebreaker game to decide a league champion when baseball teams need to set up their rotations for the district playoffs.
You can listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music and, of course, Podbean. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.