Awards Chatter

Awards Chatter episodes:

• 04.20.2024

  Jeanine Basinger - Legendary Film Professor & Author

  The trailblazing film professor, who built Wesleyan University into an unlikely film powerhouse over her 60 years at the Connecticut liberal arts institution, reflects on how the field of film studies changed over the course of her career, the...

  
• 04.02.2024

  Michael Douglas - 'Franklin'

  The second-generation Hollywood legend reflects on growing up in the shadow of Kirk, breaking into the biz as both a producer (he won an Oscar for 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest') and an actor (he won an Oscar for...

  
• 03.04.2024

  Tony Goldwyn - 'Ezra' & 'Law & Order' [LIVE]

  In front of an audience at the Boulder International Film Festival, the beloved character actor-turned-filmmaker reflects on his deep Hollywood roots, juggling acting roles like the ones he played in the film 'Ghost' and on the TV series 'Scandal' with...

  
• 02.26.2024

  Lily Gladstone - 'Killers of the Flower Moon'

  The trailblazing actress, who recently became the first Indigenous American ever nominated for the best actress Oscar, reflects on deciding to pursue a screen acting career despite the historically limited opportunities for Native Americans; almost walking away from the business...

  
• 02.24.2024

  Celine Song - 'Past Lives' [LIVE]

  In front of an audience at Chapman University, the Korean-Canadian filmmaker, who is Oscar-nominated for her autobiographical feature directorial debut, reflects on her transition from playwright to filmmaker, the biggest challenges that a first-time filmmaker faces and her aspirations for...

  
• 02.22.2024

  America Ferrera - 'Barbie' [LIVE]

  In front of an audience at Chapman University, the trailblazing actress, producer, director and activist reflects on the unlikely path to her breakthrough role in the indie film 'Real Women Have Curves'; becoming the first Latina ever to win the...

  
• 02.13.2024

  Cillian Murphy - 'Oppenheimer'

  The Irish actor who is Oscar-nominated for playing the father of the atomic bomb reflects on his unexpected shift from making music to acting, what led him to the beloved drama series 'Peaky Blinders' and what is at the center...

  
• 02.05.2024

  Jon Batiste - 'American Symphony' [LIVE]

  The Grammy-winning songwriter and Oscar-winning composer reflects on his legendary New Orleans music family, waging war against genres and being featured in and writing an original song that is now nominated for an Oscar, "It Never Went Away," for Matthew...

  
• 01.23.2024

  Annette Bening - 'Nyad'

  The admired veteran reflects on breaking into Hollywood with 'The Grifters' (en route to an Oscar nom) and 'Bugsy' (opposite husband-to-be Warren Beatty), standout turns in films ranging from 'The Kids Are All Right' to '20th Century Women' to 'Film...

  
• 01.14.2024

  Michelle Satter - Sundance Institute

  The founding director of the Sundance Institute, who since 1981 has presided over the "labs" that help rising filmmakers to realize their visions, reflects on how she came to work for Robert Redford, what filmmakers like Paul Thomas Anderson, Ryan...

  
• 01.12.2024

  Martin Scorsese - 'Killers of the Flower Moon'

  The legendary filmmaker reflects on the tug of war that he has always felt between his faith and the reality of his life, and how that has shaped the films that he has made; the origins and evolution of his...

  
• 01.09.2024

  Ava DuVernay - 'Origin'

  The trailblazing filmmaker reflects on her circuitous path to the film industry, in which she originally worked as a publicist; the evolution of her social conscience; how her feelings about Hollywood have changed since 'Selma' and #OscarsSoWhite; and why she...

  
• 01.08.2024

  Billie Eilish & Finneas - 'Barbie' [LIVE]

  In front of an audience at Chapman University, the sibling singer/songwriters return to the podcast to take questions from the host and students about their path to music, why they love writing songs for movies and how "What Was I...

  
• 01.03.2024

  Danielle Brooks - 'The Color Purple'

  The Grammy winner and Tony and Emmy nominee reflects on her path from Greenville, South Carolina to Juilliard to Netflix's 'Orange Is the New Black' and Broadway, overcoming impostor syndrome and her fateful Zoom with Oprah. Learn more about your ad...

  
• 12.19.2023

  Paul Giamatti - 'The Holdovers'

  One of our greatest character actors reflects on how the sudden death of his father motivated him to pursue an acting career, the different challenges of roles small and large and what it was like to reunite with Alexander Payne,...

  
• 12.18.2023

  Julianne Moore - 'May December'

  One of the most admired actresses of our or any time reflects on how a nomadic childhood led her to acting; the most important roles of her career, ranging from 'The Big Lebowski' to 'Far from Heaven' to 'Still Alice';...

  
• 12.14.2023

  Emerald Fennell - 'Saltburn' [LIVE]

  In front of an audience at Chapman Univeristy, the British actress/writer/director, who for 'Promising Young Woman' won the best original screenplay Oscar and became the first British female ever nominated for the best director Oscar, reflects on the roots of...

  
• 12.12.2023

  Lenny Kravitz - 'Rustin'

  Nearing his 60th birthday, the legendary singer/songwriter and rock star reflects on growing up biracial and half-Jewish, his greatest hits and his new Golden Globe-nominated tune "Road to Freedom." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  
• 12.04.2023

  Olivia Rodrigo - 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes'

  The 20-year-old Grammy-winning singer/songwriter, one of the world's biggest pop stars, reflects on her path to acting and singing, rocketing to mega-fame during COVID lockdown with "Driver's License" and writing songs for her two albums versus writing a song — "Can't...

  
• 12.03.2023

  Emily Blunt - 'Oppenheimer'

  The Brit described by her three-time collaborator Meryl Streep as "the best young actress I’ve worked with in some time, perhaps ever" reflects on how a childhood stutter led her to acting, taking on frightening physical and vocal challenges in...

  
• 11.27.2023

  Christine Vachon - 'May December' & 'Past Lives'

  One of the all-time most distinguished producers of independent film — who has somehow never received a best picture Oscar nomination, despite credits including 'Boys Don't Cry,' 'Far from Heaven' and 'Carol' — reflects on meeting Todd Haynes and abandoning early...

  
• 11.22.2023

  Dua Lipa - 'Barbie'

  The Grammy-winning pop superstar opens up about her childhood split between London and Kosovo, breaking into the music biz with hits like 'New Rules' and 'Levitating,' the unique challenges of writing 'Dance the Night' for Greta Gerwig's summer blockbuster and...

  
• 11.14.2023

  George C. Wolfe - 'Rustin' [LIVE]

  In front of an audience at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival, one of the premier writers and directors of stage and screen reflects on directing the original Broadway production of 'Angels in America' (for which he won one of his...

  
• 11.09.2023

  15 Authors of Titles on THR's List of the 100 Greatest Film Books of All Time [LIVE]

  In front of an audience at Hollywood's historic Grauman's Chinese Theater, for a panel convened as part of AFI FEST, Scott sits down with A. Scott Berg, Cameron Crowe, Nancy Griffin, Aljean Harmetz, Leonard Maltin, Kim Masters, Dennis McDougal, James...

  
• 11.03.2023

  Alexander Payne - 'The Holdovers'

  The Omaha-born filmmaker known for dramedies including 'Election,' 'About Schmidt,' 'Sideways,' 'The Descendants' and 'Nebraska' reflects on his differing feelings about writing and directing, the ways in which he casts A-listers and extras and reuniting with Paul Giamatti 19 years...

  
• 10.17.2023

  Mark Ronson - 'Barbie' [LIVE]

  In front of an audience at the Newport Beach Film Festival, the star DJ-turned-producer/songwriter reflects on his path to music, notable collaborations (with the likes of Amy Winehouse, Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga) and expansive work on Greta Gerwig's 2023...

  
• 10.01.2023

  Tim Burton - 'Wednesday' [LIVE]

  In front of an audience at the Burbank International Film Festival, the brilliant and eccentric filmmaker reflects on his childhood in Burbank and how it led him to animation and to characters regarded by others as freaks, alternating between mainstream...

  
• 09.11.2023

  Wim Wenders - ‘Anselm’ & ‘Perfect Days’

  The legend of New German Cinema reflects on making movies in Germany and America, moving between narrative and doc features and the making of his greatest films including ‘Paris, Texas,’ ‘Wings of Desire’ and ‘Buena Vista Social Club.’ Learn more about...

  
• 08.31.2023

  Cedric the Entertainer - ‘Flipping Boxcars: A Novel’

  The veteran fan favorite reflects on his path to standup and his unusual stage name, how the Spike Lee documentary 'The Original Kings of Comedy' changed his career trajectory and his forthcoming debut novel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

  
• 08.24.2023

  Leonard Maltin - Film Legend

  The world’s most famous living film critic, who was the Internet Movie Database before the advent of the Internet, shares how his famous movie guide began when he was 17 and ended 45 years later, what his life is like...

  
• 08.15.2023

  Ben Winston - ‘Carpool Karaoke: The Series’ & ‘Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium’

  One of the top TV producers in the business reflects on coming to America with James Corden to launch 'The Late Late Show' and its hit segment-turned-spinoff 'Carpool Karaoke,' why the Grammys has been his toughest producing assignment and what...

  
• 07.11.2023

  Robin Wright - Film & TV Legend [LIVE]

  In front of an audience at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, the actress/director reflects on her evolution from model to soap star to ‘The Princess Bride’ and ‘Forrest Gump,’ her collaborations with her ex Sean Penn and breaking out...

  
• 06.22.2023

  Aubrey Plaza - ‘The White Lotus’ & ‘Saturday Night Live’

  The 'Parks and Rec' scene-stealer turned leading lady reflects on the stroke that changed her at 21, landing three major parts in her first week in LA, breaking out of the 'deadpan' box and why she wants to host the...

  
• 06.16.2023

  John Mulaney - 'John Mulaney: Baby J' [LIVE]

  At a celebration of the podcast's 500th episode, one of the most popular and admired comedians of his generation reflects on his path from comedy student to 'Saturday Night Live' writer and host; his five standup specials, including his latest,...

  
• 06.14.2023

  Patrick Stewart - 'Star Trek: Picard'

  The legendary English actor of stage and screen reflects on his dark childhood, and how he found his escape from it in the theater; the fateful series of events in 1987 led to him, at the age of 47, becoming...

  
• 06.06.2023

  Martin Short - 'Only Murders in the Building' & 'Saturday Night Live'

  The comedy legend reflects on getting through childhood tragedies, why he was drawn to sketch in his native Canada (at Second City and 'SCTV') and in the U.S. (at 'SNL' and 'The Martin Short Show') and what is at the...

  
• 05.30.2023

  Tony Nominees Roundtable - Sara Bareilles, Jessica Chastain, Victoria Clark, Josh Groban, Corey Hawkins & Ben Platt

  Six Broadway standouts — nominated for 'Into the Woods,' 'A Doll's House,' 'Kimberly Akimbo,' 'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,' 'Topdog/Underdog' and 'Parade,' respectively — discuss the challenges and rewards of their parts, COVID's lasting impact on theater, the...

  
• 05.27.2023

  Alicia Vikander - 'Firebrand' & 'Irma Vep' [LIVE]

  In front of an audience in the Campari Lounge at the Cannes Film Festival, the Swedish Oscar winner reflects on her transition from dancing to acting, the ups and downs of her life-changing 2015, her husband Michael Fassbender and her...

  
• 05.22.2023

  Mo Amer - 'Mo'

  The Kuwait-born Palestinian standup comedian turned co-creator/writer/star of the first Palestinian-American television comedy series reflects on his 20-year journey to become an American citizen, comedy mentors including Dave Chappelle and teaming with Ramy Youssef on two trailblazing TV shows. Learn more...

  
• 05.16.2023

  Brian d'Arcy James - 'Into the Woods' & 'Days of Wine and Roses'

  The distinguished actor and singer of stage (he's been nominated for four Tony noms across three decades) and screen (he's best known for the film ‘Spotlight’ and the TV series ‘Smash’ and ‘13 Reasons Why’) reflects on his path to...

  
• 05.09.2023

  Sydney Sweeney - 'Reality'

  One of the biggest breakout stars of recent years reflects on the sacrifices that her family made to enable her to pursue acting, the challenges and rewards of her Emmy-nominated work on HBO’s ‘Euphoria’ and ‘The White Lotus’ and why...

  
• 05.02.2023

  Shonda Rhimes - 'Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story'

  One of TV’s most trailblazing, talented and prolific storytellers reflects on her path to Shondaland and ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ why she cringes at the attention paid to her shows’ racial diversity and what led her to jump from ABC to Netflix...

  
• 04.29.2023

  Sheryl Lee Ralph - 'Abbott Elementary'

  The Emmy winner — who in 2022 became the first Black winner of best supporting actress in a comedy series in 35 years — reflects on her Tony-nominated turn in the original Broadway production of 'Dreamgirls,' why she almost walked away...

  
• 04.23.2023

  Taron Egerton - 'Black Bird'

  One of the top young stars in Hollywood reflects on the importance to his career of Matthew Vaughn and Dexter Fletcher; the running thread that Elton John played in his life even prior to playing him in 'Rocketman'; and why...

  
• 04.21.2023

  Russ Tamblyn - Film Legend

  At the TCM Classic Film Festival, one of the last surviving stars of Hollywood's Golden Age reflects on working as a kid alongside the likes of Cecil B. DeMille and Spencer Tracy; employing his tumbling background to dance in musicals...

  
• 04.18.2023

  Frankie Avalon - Film Legend

  At the TCM Classic Film Festival, the legendary star of late '50s/'60s rock 'n' roll and beach movies reflects on his path from trumpeter to teen idol, his experiences off screen and on with Annette Funicello and what his life...

  
• 04.07.2023

  Natasha Lyonne - 'Poker Face'

  The self-described "oddball" actress/writer/director/producer reflects on child stardom, her years away from the business due to addiction and her remarkable run of the past decade with Netflix's 'Orange Is the New Black' and 'Russian Doll' followed by an acclaimed new...

  
• 03.30.2023

  Shohreh Aghdashloo - Film Legend [LIVE]

  In front of an audience at CAA in Los Angeles, the Oscar-nominated (‘House of Sand and Fog’) and Emmy-winning (‘House of Saddam’) actress reflects on her journey to acting and away from Iran, her difficult decision to play a terrorist...

  
• 03.21.2023

  F. Murray Abraham - 'The White Lotus' & 'Moon Knight' [LIVE]

  In front of an audience at the Boulder International Film Festival, the legendary 83-year-old actor reflects on his many years as a struggling actor, his career-making and Oscar-winning turn in Milos Forman’s ‘Amadeus’ and his recent career resurgence on several...

  
• 03.11.2023

  Janet Yang - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

  Ahead of Sunday's Oscars, the first person of Asian descent to lead Hollywood's most powerful organization reflects on connecting the American and Chinese film industries before shifting to producing films like 'The Joy Luck Club,' how racist jokes told at...