Podcast Like It's ...

Showrunner Jeff Greenstein (Will & Grace, Dream On) joins us for a conversation on episode 14 of The West Wing, Take This Sabbath Day.
We discuss the beautifully nuanced performance from Martin Sheen, and how his religion plays into his role as the president. We also discuss the direction from Thomas Schlamme, from the hackey screwball comedic moments, to the tear-jerking emotional moments. We compare the show to broadway musicals AND Will & Grace, talk about how Sorkin avoids making the characters a mouthpiece for his own political views, and try to figure out how Sam Seaborn plays into the ensemble after losing his leading man status.

Find Jeff at: twitter.com/blue439
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Prepare yourself for "The best romantic comedy ever" according to Daily Mail. That's right, we're talking about Nottin- wait...not Notting Hill? The Very Thought of You? I'm not convinced this movie actually exists, but here is our episode on THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU with Screen Draft's Clay Keller!
We discuss Clay's obsession with Monica Potter, and how most of her career flew under everyone's radar. We also discuss the worst of the worst 90s tropes, including portraying assholishness as hot, and focusing on unique storytelling instead of GOOD storytelling. We explore some of 1999's best twists, and how this movie strived to make that list, but fell completely short. Finally, we try to pick out what unique pieces of American culture would be interesting to the brits. Stay tuned to the end of Clay's take on Carrie, and Kenny's take on Brian De Palma!
Find Clay at: twitter.com/claykeller
Listen to Kenny and Phil's Bruckheimer Draft at: https://screendrafts.libsyn.com/jerry-bruckheimer-with-phil-iscove-kenny-neibart
Patreon: patreon.com/podcastlikeits1989
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Writer Carrie Wittmer joins us for a conversation on episode 13 of The West Wing, TAKE OUT THE TRASH DAY.
We talk about the plot surrounding a controversial sex study, and the murder of a gay teenager that has been established in previous episodes. Through this we explore Bartlet's relationship to his faith, and CJ's voice becoming more heard in the oval office. Plus, we continue to check in on the CJ/Danny relationship, Carrie shares how the show influenced her creativity, and much more!

Find Carrie at: carrienotscary.com
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The gang is getting Shakespearean this week as we're joined by actress Rachell Lefevre to discuss the underappreciated cinema debut of Julie Taymor, TITUS.
We discuss Hollywood's hesitancy to trust female directors, especially when they are known for their distinct style, the on-set dispute over the Titus character between Taymor and Anthony Hopkins, and the way this movie is often overshadowed in Shakespeare's canon. 
Find Rachelle at: twitter.com/RachelleLefevre
Patreon: patreon.com/podcastlikeits1989
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Writer/Director Jessica Ellis (What Lies West) returns to The West Wing to discuss episode 11, LORD JOHN MARBURY.
We talk about the standout performance from Roger Rees as the titular John Marbury, the way the show expertly lays out breadcrumbs that lead to its season finales, and the complexities of CJ's romances and workplace relationships. We also discuss Sorkin's comedy chops, down to his appearance on 30 Rock.
Find Jessica at: twitter.com/baddestmamajama
Patreon: patreon.com/podcastlikeits1989
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This week, writer Emma Stefansky (Thrillist) takes us back into the DCOM library, this time with Kenny, to discuss SMART HOUSE.
Emma helps us to better understand the phenomenon of Disney Channel Original Movies, and why they are held on such a high pedestal to the generation that grew up with them. We also discuss the miniscule budgets these movies were made on, the incompetent direction from LeVar Burton, and the literal fridging of the female characters. 
Stay until the end for an extended discussion on Jeopardy AND soup! 
Find Emma at: emma-stefansky.com
Patreon: patreon.com/podcastlikeits1989
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Senior Writer Joanna Robinson (Vanity Fair) joins us to deck the halls as we talk about the very first West Wing Christmas special, and tenth episode overall, IN EXCELSIS DEO.
Phil takes some time to outline the insane social media/Emmys scandal that erupted around this episode, involving Aaron Sorkin and co-writer Rick Cleveland. Joanna recounts the dramatic rewrites that Cleveland's original script went through to protect Toby's character, and eventually lead to Schiff's only Emmy win for The West Wing. We also touch on the brief cameo from Lance Reddick, the buffoonery surrounding the Sam/Laurie storyline, and the show's pointedly unliberal way of dealing with the issue of hate crimes.
Find Janna at: www.vanityfair.com/contributor/joanna-robinson
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Writer Hunter Covington returns to the show this week to discuss a film we almost refused to cover, the religious apocalyptic thriller THE OMEGA CODE.
Being just one in a very long line of 1999 apocalypse flicks we've covered on the show, can this movie hold a candle to the likes of Last Night or even End of Days? We discuss how this film fits into the zeitgeist of films pushing a religious agenda, the painfully undercooked plotline that needed at least seven or eight more rewrites, and the half decent cast that can't quite manage to churn this nonsense into something watchable.
Find Hunter at: twitter.com/huntercovington
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On our second double bill of this miniseries, we're joined by writer/producer Sarah Watson (The Bold Type, Parenthood) and writer/producer Adam Karp (Once Upon a Time, Teen Wolf), making his second appearance in the past week, to discuss The West Wing's ninth episode, THE SHORT LIST.
We discuss how Sorkin was ahead of his time when thinking up political issues for the show, including minority representation on the supreme court, and privacy rights on the internet. We also continue to break down the gender politics of the show, including how the program allows Allison Janney to be tall and powerful, the embarrassing way they dress down Mandy, and talk about how the nuances of the Josh/Donna relationship are beginning to come into focus. 
Find Sarah at: sarahwatsonwrites.com
Find Adam at: twitter.com/adamjkarp
Patreon: patreon.com/podcastlikeits1989
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