Dead Eyes

By Headgum

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What's Dead Eyes about?

Actor/comedian Connor Ratliff (The Chris Gethard Show, UCB, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) embarks upon a quest to solve a very stupid mystery that has haunted him for two decades: why Tom Hanks fired him from a small role in the 2001 HBO mini-series, Band Of Brothers.

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Dead Eyes episodes:

04.17.2023
The Making of Dead Eyes (Live in Belgium)
Connor takes producers Mike and Harry to Ostend, Belgium for the first DS Podcast Festival to give a keynote presentation on the making of Dead Eyes. Recorded in Ostend, Belgium on April 2nd, 2022. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at...
03.10.2022
31 - Tom
Connor talks with Tom Hanks. Episode Transcript Follow the show @deadeyespodcast Advertise on Dead Eyes via Gumball.fm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
03.03.2022
30 - Buzz & Billis
Connor investigates two high school productions of Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific: one that took place in 1990 during his freshman year at Jefferson City High in Missouri, and the other in 1974 at Skyline High in Oakland, California, where a...
02.17.2022
29 - The Blacklist List
Connor talks with six actors who were cast in roles on NBC's The Blacklist that he also auditioned for. The Blacklist List #410 - "Rafa" (Jimmie Saito) #417 - "Bobby J" (Bruce Faulk) #501 - "Hawkins" (Aida Turturro) #513 - "Forensics Investigator Muncie" (Neal Lerner) #521...
02.03.2022
28 - Illumination Day
When Connor learns of the existence of Tom Hanks' Electric City, he starts asking questions of anyone who will talk to him about it, including Paul Scheer (The League, How Did This Get Made), Tara Jayne Sands (Pokémon, Digimon, Yu-Gi-Oh!),...
01.20.2022
27 - Colin
Connor talks with actor Colin Hanks (Mad Men, Life In Pieces, American Crime Story: Impeachment) about his 2015 Tower Records documentary and also other topics. Episode Transcript Follow the show @deadeyespodcast Advertise on Dead Eyes via Gumball.fm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California...
01.06.2022
26 - Band of Others
Connor talks with Zach Braff (Scrubs, Garden State), Adam Scott (Parks & Recreation, Party Down) and David Krumholtz (Numb3rs, The Deuce) about how they all auditioned for Band of Brothers and were not cast. Episode Transcript Follow the show @deadeyespodcast Advertise on Dead Eyes via Gumball.fm See omnystudio.com/listener...
12.23.2021
25 - The True Meaning of Dead Eyes
Connor talks with comedian Nikki Glaser (FBoy Island) along with an array of experts in hope of discovering "the true meaning of 'dead eyes.'" Episode Transcript Follow the show @deadeyespodcast Advertise on Dead Eyes via Gumball.fm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy...
12.09.2021
24 - The Colonel(s)
Connor talks with actors and executives about how he almost became “Colonel Sanders,” and the ups and downs of an ad campaign where re-casting the lead role is its defining feature. Watch Connor's re-audition for Colonel Sanders on The Chris Gethard...
11.25.2021
23 - Brought To You By Turd Husband™️
Connor talks with Nicole Byer (Nailed It!), Johnathan Fernandez (Gossip Girl), Ann Carr (Red Oaks) and Molly Lloyd (Pinkalicious & Peterrific) about the strange and sometimes treacherous world of acting in commercials. Connor doing car dealership ads as a kid. Connor's New...
11.11.2021
22 - You've Got Tweet
Connor talks with comedian Aparna Nancherla (Bojack Horseman, Corporate) about the time when Tom Hanks tweeted about how funny she is. The original tweet. Follow Aparna on Twitter and you'll see what Tom Hanks saw. Episode Transcript Follow the show @deadeyespodcast Advertise on Dead Eyes via Gumball.fm See omnystudio.com/listener for...
10.28.2021
21 - Let the Mystery Be
Dead Eyes returns for Season Three! Connor talks with Damon Lindelof (LOST, The Leftovers, Watchmen) and Starlee Kine (Mystery Show, Search Party) about solving the “mystery” of “dead eyes.” Episode Transcript Follow the show @deadeyespodcast Advertise on Dead Eyes via Gumball.fm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy...
10.20.2021
Dead Eyes Season 3 Trailer
Season 3 of Dead Eyes premieres October 28th, with new episodes dropping every other Thursday. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
05.20.2021
Leave Us A Message!
While we're hard at work on Dead Eyes Season 3, we're taking your calls! Do you have a Dead Eyes story? Did you audition or work on Band of Brothers? Do you have any questions for Connor, or theories as to...
02.25.2021
20 - The Big Zielinski
In the Season 2 finale, Connor talks to Band of Brothers Lead Writer and Supervising Producer Erik Jendresen, and learns the truth about Episode 5 "Crossroads" and Private John S. Zielinski. Episode Transcript --- Follow the show @deadeyespodcast Advertise on Dead Eyes via Gumball.fm See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy...
02.11.2021
19 - Young Tom Hankses
Connor talks to three actors who shared roles with Tom Hanks when they were kids: Elijah Wood (Radio Flyer), David Moscow (Big), and Michael Conner Humphreys (Forrest Gump). Episode Transcript --- Follow the show @deadeyespodcast Advertise on Dead Eyes via Gumball.fm See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy...
01.28.2021
18 - Saturday Tonight Live
After failing to book Jimmy Fallon on the podcast, Connor instead talks to his good friend, comedian Alex Song-Xia, whose brief time as a writer on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon ended before her contract was up. Also, Rolling Stone’s...
01.14.2021
17 - Lacking Warmth
Connor talks to the creators/writers/directors/producers of Freaks and Geeks Judd Apatow and Paul Feig about failure, success and uncomfortable encounters with famous people. Episode Transcript --- Follow the show @deadeyespodcast Advertise on Dead Eyes via Gumball.fm See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
12.31.2020
16 - Castaways
As 2020 comes to a close, Connor finds himself inexplicably stranded on a desert island with a cassette player and tapes containing deleted scenes from the first 15 episodes of the show. Episode Transcript --- Follow the show @deadeyespodcast Advertise on Dead Eyes via Gumball.fm See Privacy Policy at...
12.17.2020
15 - Marvel's Agents of C.A.S.T.I.N.G.
In an attempt to understand why neither he nor Tom Hanks has yet to book a role in a superhero project, Connor assembles an Avengers-style team of actors from Marvel films & TV shows with a diverse range of casting...
12.03.2020
14 - Thinking About Don't Think Twice Again
Connor tries to understand what made him right for a small role in writer-director Mike Birbiglia’s 2016 critically-acclaimed feature film Don’t Think Twice. Co-star Tami Sagher recounts filming an excruciating scene while Connor observed. Ira Glass, the film’s producer, tries...
11.19.2020
13 - Hilary & Robert & Punch & Judy
Connor tracks down his former agent, Hilary Gagan, as well as her former assistant, Robert Styles, who both reveal conflicting memories about his Band of Brothers firing. Episode Transcript --- Follow the show @deadeyespodcast Advertise on Dead Eyes via Gumball.fm See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice...
11.05.2020
12 - Pathetic Man
Connor accepts a non-speaking role with a memorable name, then experiences a series of minor humiliations. Featuring Lauren Lapkus (The Wrong Missy, Jurassic World, Crashing). Episode Transcript --- Follow the show @deadeyespodcast Advertise on Dead Eyes via Gumball.fm See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
10.22.2020
11 - Piss Siblings
Connor books an unusual role on HBO's VEEP after over a decade in the show biz wilderness, with some help from his friend Shannon O'Neill (How To Fix A Drug Scandal, Broad City). Featuring VEEP's Matt Walsh and Tony Hale. The Chris...
10.15.2020
Season 2 Prologue (w/ Ira Glass)
Season 2 fast approaches. Connor seeks sage wisdom and advice from This American Life creator Ira Glass. Dead Eyes Season 2 premieres on Oct 22. Episode Transcript --- Follow the show @deadeyespodcast Advertise on Dead Eyes via Gumball.fm See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
07.09.2020
10 - Moose/Nixon
In the Season 1 finale, Connor connects with two of the actors he almost worked with on Band of Brothers: Ron Livingston (Office Space, Search Party) and Stephen McCole (Rushmore, Outlander). Episode Transcript --- Follow the show @deadeyespodcast Advertise on Dead Eyes via Gumball.fm See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy...
06.25.2020
09 - Neighbors & Pals
Seth Rogen clears up a misunderstanding and reveals his surprising connection to Connor, sharing multiple stories of show business disappointment & failure. Episode Transcript --- Follow the show @deadeyespodcast Advertise on Dead Eyes via Gumball.fm See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
04.09.2020
08 - Show-Me State
When a global pandemic hits, Connor loses another show business job and moves back in with his parents. Featuring Ryan Miller from the band Guster, plus Bill and Gretta Ratliff. Episode Transcript --- Follow the show @deadeyespodcast Advertise on Dead Eyes via Gumball.fm See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California...
03.12.2020
07 - GTM
Connor chases another phantom, one that went missing from the 2019 romantic comedy Isn't It Romantic between its filming and its release. It's a self-contained casting mystery, and he only has one episode to solve it. The truth is out there. Episode...
03.05.2020
06 - Ryan Johnson's Star Wars Prequel Rumors
EPISODE VI RYAN JOHNSON'S STAR WARS PREQUEL RUMORS It is a period of hope: the late 1990s! A student at the Liverpool Institute For Performing Arts, CONNOR RATLIFF is tasked with creating a web page to promote himself as an actor. This leads to the...
02.20.2020
05 - The Last Remains of the Dodo
Singer-songwriter Aimee Mann learns how she unwittingly provided the soundtrack to Connor's entire Band of Brothers experience. Listen to Bachelor No. 2 or, the Last Remains of the Dodo and the rest of Aimee's catalogue on Apple Music, Spotify, Google Play,...
02.13.2020
04 - Any Questions?
Connor imagines an alternate timeline with the help of Saturday Night Live alumn Bobby Moynihan, who played a major role in one of Tom Hanks's late-career triumphs: David S. Pumpkins. Watch the Haunted Elevator sketch that gave the world David S....
02.06.2020
03 - The Replacement
Connor doesn't trust his memory. Actor, comedian, and showrunner of Adam Ruins Everything Adam Conover explains that, without a doubt, Connor is misremembering the details of his experience on Band of Brothers. At least some of them. Award-winning illustrator Maëlle Doliveux critiques...
01.30.2020
02 - Tristesse
A 10-year-old Connor acts onstage in a 1985 production of Oliver! and has a seemingly disastrous first television interview. Years later, a 17-year-old Connor stars in a production of Ordinary People across from Emmy-winning actor Jon Hamm (Mad Men, The...
01.23.2020
01 - He's Having Second Thoughts
In the year 2000, actor Connor Ratliff is fired by Tom Hanks from the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers for supposedly having "dead eyes". Two decades later, Connor talks about it with his friends D'Arcy Carden (The Good Place, Barry)...
01.10.2020
Coming Soon: Dead Eyes
A quest to solve a very stupid mystery that has haunted comedian Connor Ratliff for two decades: Why Tom Hanks fired him from a small role in the 2001 HBO mini-series, Band Of Brothers. Subscribe today and catch the first episode,...