Radio 1's Screen Time

While Ali's been poorly of late, we're not going to let you down podcast-wise, no no no - so here are some Poor Things interviews we didn't include on Screen Time back when the film was first released in the UK back in January. And it's perfect timing (sort of) with the film now on streaming, so it's almost as if we planned it, eh? Plus: have you heard about Robot Dreams? It's this adorable and wonderful and thoroughly excellent animation Ali's very keen on, check it out, go on.

Lots of exclamations in the title there, apologies - but then again, when you've got acting talent like this lot on your podcast, maybe a few exclamations can be forgiven. This week we have a slightly poorly Ali as he wraps up the past seven day's biggest news headlines, chucks out a few TV recommendations and then presses play on a couple of interviews in honour Ghostbusters Frozen Empire (Ernie Hudson and McKenna Grace) and then Netflix's new sci-fi show 3 Body Problem (Benedict Wong and John Bradley). It's a bumper week, that's for sure.

Friend of the show and casually very funny man Ben Schwartz - also known to some as Parks and Rec’s Jean-Ralphio, the voice of Sonic The Hedgehog and an improv artist extraordinaire - joins Ali this week to talk about the Oscars, how to pull jokes out of thin air and the classic of classics that is Back To The Future for a very special edition of Ali Plumb’s Film Club.

After a bit of news, a few recommendations for what you might want to watch this weekend - Dune Part Two is in cinemas too, let's not forget - a little later on in the podcast you’ll hear from two human beings who are in Guy Ritchie’s new Netflix show, The Gentlemen, namely old friend of the show (sort of, you’ll see) Kaya Scodelario and new friend of the show (go on, let’s say he is, why not?) Theo James. Just before you press play, ask yourself this question: Lock, Stock or Snatch? It's a tricky one to answer, now ain't it?

Today we have a podcast of two halves: one half is a spoiler-free review of the long-awaited, eagerly anticipated Dune Part Two, the second part of Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of the classic Frank Herbert sci-fi novel, with friend of the show and Independent film critic in chief (and die-hard self-professed “Dunehead”) Clarisse Loughrey joining Ali for an extensive chat. The other half is a conversation with charming up and comer Nicholas Galitzine in honour of his new Sky historical drama Mary And George, where he plays James I's court favourite George Villiers, aided by his Machiavellian mother, portrayed by one Julianne Moore. Please enjoy both halves, we insist!

A podcast of two halves for you this week as Ali reacts to some of the biggest movies and TV news stories of the past seven days - including the winners at the BAFTAs, but of course - then things get really rather silly as Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley talk about their new (and incredibly sweary) film, Wicked Little Letters, a movie about incredibly adult language that requires incredibly adult language to discuss. So it's moderately serious (ish) to begin with as the news is laid out for you and the BAFTAs are appreciated... and then things go off the rails immediately as Olivia, Jessie and Ali lose the plot straight away. Humorously, we like to think.

Netflix’s adaptation of David Nicholls’ much-loved novel One Day has been a storming success since it landed online last week, with seemingly everyone you know talking about Ambika Mod’s Emma and Leo Woodall’s Dexter with a tear in their eye around the proverbial water cooler. So now seemed like a good time to invite Ambika herself into the Radio 1 studios to chat with Ali about the most emotional moments in the show with spoilers very much allowed. So, in short, make sure you’ve watched One Day before you press play - you have been warned!

Originally the plan was to speak to one "Martin Scorsese" - whoever he might be - for this week's podcast, but it was not to be. Alas and, indeed, alack. Stepping in, we have the full audio version of Paul Mescal's Story So Far interview that you may have seen (if you're in the UK) on Radio 1's iPlayer channel, where the Normal People, Aftersun and now All Of Us Strangers star talks to Ali about his career, his favourite 'corpsers' and, um, vitamin gummy bears. Plus! Ali gives us a very brief round up of the latest news headlines - Moana 2, oh my - as well as his thoughts on A24 and Zac Efron's latest, The Iron Claw.

Now that the dust has settled just a little bit, Ali has teamed up with fellow full-time film fan Ella Kemp - of Letterboxd’s ‘Four Faves’ fame - to talk through all the runners and riders for this year’s Academy Awards (Sunday March 10th, for those wondering, with the BAFTAs on Sunday February 18th) after the controversial announcement last week of who got what nods. So whip out your proverbial pen and paper because a lot of great movies get mentioned here and there’s a decent chance you’ll want to watch a few of them…

All Of Us Strangers may finally be in cinemas - and Ali’s Story So Far interview with one of its stars, Paul Mescal, may be on be on BBC iPlayer right about now - but here on Radio 1’s Screen Time we’re shining a light on Big Boys, Jack Rooke’s semi-autobiographical sitcom, which has recently returned to Channel 4 to rave reviews. Here, Jack sits down with Ali for this interview special, featuring a surprise appearance from a Radio 1 DJ to boot, which touches on British comedy as a whole and just how tricky it is to get a show like Big Boys off the ground.