Black Bat Audio

If you like jazz, crabs, cosmic connections, and the upcoming premiere of The Arbitrator (starring Tilly Botsford and an all-star cast) this Saturday at 9pm GMT on YouTube (link available here: https://youtu.be/rOtt3nsSZxY), then you will love tonight's episode, featuring Tilly Botsford!

All the way from Reykjavík, eminently talented actress, polyglot, photographer, and cast member of The Arbitrator (premiering this Saturday at 9pm!) Kelechi Hafstad joins us tonight to play favorites. We cover all sorts of subjects, from cheese jokes to cellists, breathtaking fjords to late-night Ennio Morricone listens. And it all took place during a volcanic eruption! Très topical.

See Kelechi and the whole all-star Arbitrator cast at the live premiere on YouTube this Saturday, March 27th at 9pm UK time! Will be seeing you there!

Celebrating her 89th birthday this week (two days after my own big day!) is my absolutely wonderful grandmother, Doris Brimmer, and I had the pleasure to chat with her for a super-special feature-length Playing Favorites. We talked about all sorts of subjects: her love of New York, her loving and unforgettable time with my grandfather Andrew Brimmer, the types of films that have meant the most to her during different parts of her life, her time growing up in Harlem in the 1930s and 40s, attending Barnard College in the 1950s, living in Staten Island, Philadelphia, and more into the 1960s, her many experiences driving across the country, and much more. She's a New York lady through and through, and an exceedingly wise, thoughtful, perceptive, gracious, loving, and insightful person. What an honor to call her Grandma.

It's a new Playing Favorites, it's worth every minute, and it's an extra-special episode, featuring one of the loveliest people on Earth. Happy Birthday Grandma Doris! <3 

Keep your friends close, but your regular podcast contributors closer. The Godfather was released 49 years ago today, and tonight marks our first in the PF Series: special episodes featuring Problematic Faves throughout movie history, no matter how the phrase's various definitions may apply, with splendid guests, riveting conversations, deep-dives on all sorts of themes and connections, and what promises to be a great time, every time. 

This particular cosa nostra welcomes Laura Hounsell, Dominika Ucar, Michael Zwiauer, and Ruby Sullivan to discuss/celebrate/debate this gigantic piece of work, which was first released 49 years ago today! A must-listen for any Corleone fans or foes. It's Playing Favorites, it's The Godfather, and it's not to be missed.

It's the 12th of March! Today delightful guest host Laura Florence Hounsell splendidly steps in during this Playing Favorites Birthday Special. Our chats had it all: Arctic Monkeys, the genius of Veep (my all-time favorite show), Aunty Donna's majestic "Funeral" sketch, the hyper-stylish Le Samourai, and the intense resonance and resonant intensity that is my relationship with Django Unchained (still, defiantly, my all-time favorite movie). 

Find Laura's lovely voice on her own excellent podcast, Artists' Impressions! Looking forward to the big 24.

Lots of love,

Tonight we welcome the ever-stylish and very lovely Grace Charlton to play favorites! 

We've been talking movies, music, and all things cultural since we first shared a seminar room, and our chats this time ranged all the way from Japanese art islands to Grimes' daily routine, before culminating in a totally calm and even-keeled discussion about a certain recent alliterative Netflix release. Enjoy!

Few people have influenced and encouraged my foray into the film world quite like Todd Hitchcock, Director of Programming at the AFI Silver Theatre, and our splendid guest tonight. After years of talking all things cinema it's a wonder we still have more to discuss, but as always we managed a fascinating deep-dive into what makes great movies great - this time, Scorsese's Taxi Driver. 

Our chat also encompassed the Neolithic wonder of the Orkney Islands, the AFI Silver podcast Silver Streams, and Todd's remarkable lyrical expertise. It's Playing Favorites.

Tonight, the de-lovely Anna Phillips chats all manner of pop culture topics and pressing questions with characteristic grace and charisma! Our conversation ranged all over the map, including our mutual respect for Ariana's Positions, the comedic genius of Charlie Kelly & the whole It's Always Sunny setup, and the curious dynamics we have both experienced when traveling in rather mono-ethnic European locales. 

It's a great talk. And it's Playing Favorites!

Widely known as Jacob 'Hobnob' Baird, tonight's guest is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and co-founder and lead singer of the country–rock Zac Brown Band, as well as electronic dance music group Sir Rosevelt. In 2019, Baird released a pop surprise album titled The Controversy, which included what is arguably his masterpiece, "Swayze."

Our conversation ranged from interplanetary travel to the iconoclastic American cinema of 2007 to universally acclaimed and respected radio programme L'Heure de la Bande de la Zac Brun Bande Heure, all episodes of which reside at https://www.mixcloud.com/lheuredelabande. Tune in! And wait til the end...

Tonight, we welcome CEO and Executive Director of NAFSA, former Assistant Secretary of State for International Organizations Affairs in President Obama's administration, holder of many other preeminent titles and also, the best Mom in the world: Esther Brimmer! 

We talk music, movies, cats, and diplomacy - the four essential elements of life. It's Playing Favorites, episode 10!