LCJ Q&A Podcast

Nickelodeon's popular Baby Shark's Big Show expands to feature-length format for the hilarious and heartwarming Baby Shark's Big Movie. It premieres this Friday December 8th on Paramount+. Writer Whitney Ralls and director Alan Foreman join me to talk about the film they hope earns wave reviews from families this holiday season.

DreamWorks presents a feisty, heisty new prequel special to one of their most recent hit movies. The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday premieres Thursday November 30th on Netflix. Director (and seven-time Emmy-winner) Bret Haaland and Executive Producer Katherine Nolfi bring good tidings on this episode of the LCJ Q&A.

Robert Marianetti and David Wachtenheim direct the new Netflix animated family feature Leo, starring the voice of Adam Sandler in the title role of a 74 year old Mary Poppins-like lizard in a 5th Grade Florida classroom. Learn what makes Leo (debuting this Tuesday Nov. 21) one of the holiday season's must-see comedies.

Academy Award nominated Chico & Rita directors Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal have made a new animated feature for grown-ups — a unique, moving investigation documentary drama. They Shot the Piano Player, starring Jeff Goldblum as the narrator and voice of journalist / author Jeff Harris, opens in New York City and Los Angeles for an awards qualifying run on November 24th. Sony Pictures Classics will then release it nationwide in early 2024. Trueba and Mariscal joined me from Spain on Zoom for this 300th Episode of the LCJ Q&A Podcast.

DreamWorks is bringing Poppy and Branch back to the big screen with the new third feature in their popular pop music franchise. Trolls Band Together is already a hit overseas, and held preview screenings nationwide in North America this past weekend, with an official release date of November 17th. Director Walt Dohrn shares info on the *NSYNC reunion, the visual splendor and if the "Trolls" brand will keep on rolling.

Fox's Animation Domination is giving us a post-Halloween treat with the latest "Treehouse of Horror" episode of The Simpsons airing this Sunday November 5th at 8pm. Writer and Co-EP Brian Kelley, who's been with the iconic series for nearly two and a half decades, shares insights on this year's stories, some Simpsons secrets, and how a movie sequel will be decided.

Build-A-Bear Entertainment is bringing popular Glisten and the Merry Mission to the big screen with a new animated feature for the whole family to kick-off the holiday season. It opens exclusively in Cinemark theaters nationwide this Friday November 3rd. Director Cory Morrison explains the magic of the movie and what Clark Griswold and Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick have in common.

Let’s go to Japan in the 1600’s and meet an incredibly skilled swordmaster who’s hiding her true identity while also being a badass. It’s the new adult animated series Blue Eye Samurai, premiering this Friday November 3rd on Netflix. Creators, writers and EPs Amber Noizumi and "Logan" Oscar nominee Michael Green (who are also wife and husband) join me for this LCJ Q&A Podcast episode.

New DreamWorks Animation family adventure series "Curses!" premieres this Friday October 27th on AppleTV+. Creators Jim Cooper & Jeff Dixon and director Leo Riley share visual and storytelling inspirations and insights on working with some classic and modern-day horror icons.

The Wiggles are the subjects of "Hot Potato", a fantastic new documentary now streaming on Prime Video. Three of the original members of one of the most popular and successful bands of all-time join me to talk about their careers and the emotional, revealing doc. I grew-up with The Wiggles, so having this fun chat with Greg Page (the Yellow Wiggle), Murray Cook (the Red Wiggle) and Jeff Fatt (the Purple Wiggle) was thrilling. Check it out!