Hey, an Actor!

Viola Davis is our featured actor this episode. The Queen of Righteous Indignation reigns supreme across the covered films in the form of two August Wilson (no relation) play adaptations: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and Fences, and the big budget anti-racism tale The Help. The Brothers Wilson discuss her undeniably powerful presence in her work, as well as accidentally spoiling lots of plot details that have driven Pandy to despair in the edit. Plus: What did The Brothers make of Chadwick Boseman's swansong performance? Why is Pandy the victor? And, why is Ian part of the problem?

Hey, an Actor! has taken a long run up to feature one of cinema's most prominent names of yesteryear in Orson Welles. Straight out of the gate is the legendary Citizen Kane, followed by European hit The Third Man, and capped off by Tex-Mex crime thriller Touch of Evil. Recorded whilst Ian is fully sober and Pandy looks to publicly available AI for the purposes of film-specific raps, The Brothers Wilson also discuss the recurrence of Joseph Cotton, offer up competing song choices to close the episode, and critique Welles' introduction to British television in 1955. And it's all quite silly!

The Brothers Wilson return to bring you the first proper episode of Hey, An Actor! for 2023, spotlighting Eddie Murphy. Trying to capture the eclectic talents of their subject in the space of three films is a tricky ask, but Ian and Pandy persevere with Murphy's 80s comedy hit Coming to America, his 90s hidden gem collaboration with Steve Martin Bowfinger, and his Oscar-nominated turn in Motown-inspired musical adaptation Dreamgirls. Along the way, Ian gets into his first-hand experience of radio payolas, Pandy is inspired to recite a song from one of the films should Ian ever marry, and we take a second trip to Culture Corner!

The Brothers Wilson proudly bring you Hey, An Actor's end of year episode for 2022, with the featured subject being comedy legend Mel Brooks! Taking in both The Producers and Blazing Saddles, Ian and Pandy discuss America's divergent Axis Powers focus, Carry On films, and The One Show. And of course, this episode brings about the regular favorites of Christian's Casting Challenge, The Archivist's curation of outtakes, and The Tomlinson Awards!

Due to the results of the 2021 Tomlinson Awards, the Most Anticipated Actor for 2022, Natalie Portman, receives the full HAA treatment from The Brothers Wilson. The three films on the docket: sweary, sex-play adaptation Closer; whacky underage assassin Leon: The Professional; and scary, avian-based dance horror Black Swan. Which film leaves both hosts lukewarm, and which inspired many a 90s action film? Also: discover which film from Portman's back catalogue is the personification of a comedy Rock song, marvel at how The Brothers tip-toe around big topics, including questionable French artistry and the Israeli / Palestine conflict, and prepare to vote in the upcoming Tomlinson Awards 2022!

After a bit of a hiatus, The Brothers Wilson return to bring you the Drew Barrymore instalment of Hey, an Actor! Covering her child actor years by dint of Firestarter, her mainstream commercial years via Charlie's Angels, and her successful romcom partnership with Adam Sandler in 50 First Dates. Ian and Pandy also take in a disproportionate amount of cultural appropriation, ranging from acting greats like George C Scott all the way down to Rob Schneider. Also, stay tuned to find out Ian's bugbears with Stephen King, what compels Pandy to dash out naked in the rain, and why, given all the legitimate closing song choices the featured films throw up, the episode ends on a deranged song about clowny clown clowns.

Bald, muscular, known for his action chops, but that's enough about Pandy. This episode focuses on the recently retired blockbuster star Bruce Willis! In doing so, The Brothers Wilson explore his explosive breakout role in Die Hard, his high-profile thriller film The Sixth Sense, and more recent sci-fi action film Looper. Also: what is the new voice of Email Bot? What is the host of ghosts and death? And why, oh, why has Ian got Stunt Dogs on the brain?

Sir Anthony Hopkins gets his own episode of Hey, an Actor! having made three guest appearances previously. Under the spotlight is his first film, The Lion in Winter, opposite Peter O'Toole, Katherine Hepburn, and HAA favorite Timothy Dalton; his papal turn as one of The Two Popes alongside Jonathan Pryce; and as the central performance in Oliver Stone's Nixon. Along the way, The Brothers Wilson discuss various Welsh actors and shameful instances of farting in public. Also, Pandy gains a new impression to his repertoire, and feedback returns in abundance.

What says Easter quite like Faye Dunaway? Whatever the answer to that riddle may be, The Brothers Wilson tamper with their usual film ordering to chart the career decline of one of the most prominent actresses of the 1970s, starting with her Oscar-winning highpoint in Network. Then the supposed "biopic" of Joan Crawford, Mommie Dearest, which is said to mark the turning point of Dunaway's career. Finally, the true marker of a career suffering monumental decline in Dunston Checks In, as the hosts ponder whether Elizabeth Taylor would allow an orangutan to shove her into a massive cake. Along the way, Ian and Pandy chat about history source work, TABHAL, acceptable films for Pandy's children, and Ian's hot takes on Home Alone. It's an audio experience not to be missed!

The Brothers Wilson begin the year with retiring comedic actor Rick Moranis, starting with semi-pulp musical Streets of Fire, moving on to his lead role in Little Shop of Horrors, and Disney breakthrough Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. Are there other selling points? Sure, but you'll have to listen to find out!