Text by Katherine Ellis • Photography by Trey Inc.
Behind the scenes at Tea with Paul G
For Paul Galliano, or “Paul G” as he’s affectionately called, a love of theater has always been present. Acting continues to be much more than merely an occupation for him, but rather a calling. “Even when I was a toddler, all my family would say I was theatrical,” Paul chuckles. “One day, I was watching Saturday Night Live, and it occurred to me that’s what I wanted to do. They are having fun and doing it for a living. That’s the ideal situation . . . doing what you love.”
Paul started his acting career by performing in plays in high school and majoring in theater in college, which eventually led to booking roles on television shows and films. More than anything, Paul likes how adopting various personas can deeply touch other people and provide poignant examples of life scenarios with which others might currently be struggling. “People will reach out to me and thank me and say, ‘I had a cathartic experience through watching you,’” explains Paul. “That is so gratifying to make a difference in people’s lives. I always feel my best when I’m helping other people. You want to do good for others because you see how it makes other people feel.”
When the global pandemic in 2020 took the world by storm and caused everything to shut down, Paul came up with a novel idea to cheer people up and provide an opportunity for himself and his peers who were not able to work due to all productions being halted. “I needed to do something to fulfill that lack of not being able to act,” Paul shares. “I decided that I was going to do a talk show, and I like tea. I thought it would be a Zoom talk show, but it sort of took on a life of its own.”
A tea enthusiast who occasionally answers to the name “London Fog” because of his affinity for Earl Grey, Paul concluded that an upbeat tea-themed talk show was not only utterly unique and perfect for him to host but that it was ideal for the moment. It took two years to develop the concept, book the talent—with most guests being personal friends—and film the episodes in 2022, and the meticulous planning has certainly paid off.
Season One of Tea with Paul G is currently available to stream on YouTube with new approximately 30-minute episodes premiering every Tuesday at precisely 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time)—teatime, to be exact. A grouping of tea-punned segments, ranging from personal chats with fellow actors deemed “spill the tea” and trivia games with proceeds going to chari-teas and other interesting activi-teas, comprise the show. Sage advice is shared, laughter is exchanged, and tea is leisurely sipped in an intimate setting that makes for pleasurable watching. Encouraging viewers to “do what you love, do good for others, and have fun,” this lighthearted channel intro- duces people to working-class actors you might have seen on the small screen before but might not be able to recall their names. Some of the lovely guests that grace the episodes include Kate Linder, best known for her role as Esther Valentine on The Young and the Restless since 1982; Tom O’Connell, the Darth Vader stunt double from the Obi-Wan Kenobi series; and Cricket Wampler, an actress on Disney+’s Big Shot.
Whether you love all things tea, enjoy hearing inspiring and motivational stories, or simply are craving a much-needed laugh, Tea with Paul G will undoubtedly provide you with the positivi-tea that you are seeking. The second season of the talk show is set to premiere in 2023. To watch, visit youtube.com/PaulGallianoChannel.
