Streamed & Screened: Movie and TV Reviews and Interviews

What if you were in a crash, and after waking up in the hospital, a loved one wasn't who they appeared?

That's the premise of "Phony," a new series on Hulu created by Nick Paley and co-produced with Anthony King. Sonny Cooke, played by Sam Nivola after his breakout role in the most recent season of "The White Lotus," is a teenager who was involved in a car crash. He wakes up, convinced his mother Ellen, portrayed by fellow "The White Lotus" alum and "Friday Night Lights" favorite Connie Britton, is an imposter.

Is this just a case of recovering from trauma, or is Sonny on to something? In this episode, co-host Bruce Miller first speaks with Britton and Nivola, then catches up with Paley and King. He also connects with young actors Colter Lee and Grace Brennan, followed by Maliq Johnson and Mahaela Park.

And while the show is only in its first season, the producers have left the door open for future seasons with different takes on what "phony" might mean.

About the show

Streamed & Screened is a podcast about movies and TV hosted by Bruce Miller, a longtime entertainment reporter who is the retired editor of the Sioux City Journal in Iowa and Terry Lipshetz, managing editor of the National Newsroom for Lee Enterprises based in Madison, Wisconsin. The show was named Best Podcast in the 2025 Iowa Better Newspaper Contest.

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Thunder City by Lunareh, used under license from Soundstripe. YouTube clearance: FV694ULMCJQDG0IY

“Dancing with the Stars” returned in September for Season 35 of the hit ABC reality series, featuring an eclectic – as always – cast of celebrities.

For this week’s episode, co-host and big-time fan of the show Bruce Miller talks about the highlights of the show so far for a season that has featured a wide range of stars from celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis to actor Julia Stiles to “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez.

Co-host Terry Lipshetz, who has only watched a few episodes of the show over the years, discusses wanting to see actor, professional dancer, and former high school classmate Dulé Hill join a future season. Sure, he would almost be too good for the program, but it would be entertaining, and he does have past connections to ABC/Disney, having starred on the reboot of “The Wonder Years.”

As far as reality is concerned, a pair of movie trailers has circulated recently for movies hitting theaters this week. “Whalefall,” based on the 2023 novel by Daniel Kraus, and “You Can See Everything,” a documentary about Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes, are both out Oct. 16.

While a complete work of fiction, the science of “Whalefall” makes the concept of being swallowed alive by a sperm whale terrifying.

As for “You Can See Everything,” from the tight 4:3 cuts on the faces of Holmes, her partner Billy Evans and comedian/director Nathan Fielder, to the R rating for graphic nudity, there is something oddly intriguing about a nearly 3-hour documentary that has an early perfect critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes and may have the most buzz of any film in the genre since “Fahrenheit 9/11” from Michael Moore.

About the show

Streamed & Screened is a podcast about movies and TV hosted by Bruce Miller, a longtime entertainment reporter who is the retired editor of the Sioux City Journal in Iowa and Terry Lipshetz, managing editor of the National Newsroom for Lee Enterprises based in Madison, Wisconsin. The show was named Best Podcast in the 2025 Iowa Better Newspaper Contest.

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Thunder City by Lunareh, used under license from Soundstripe. YouTube clearance: FV694ULMCJQDG0IY

"Snowfall," a crime drama on FX that looked at the crack cocaine epidemic of 1980s Los Angeles, wrapped in 2023 following six seasons and 60 episodes.

But its story lends itself to an expanded universe. That's where "The Drop: A Snowfall Saga" comes in. Two characters from the original series, Wanda Bell (played by Gail Bean) and Leon Simmons (played by Isaiah John), seek to reinvent themselves in the West Coast hip-hop scene.

And new characters, like Lamar Kinsey (Asante Blackk), James Kinsey (Peyton Alex Smith) and Artillery (Simmie "Buddy" Sims III), help expand upon the original story in this new, music-centric world.

In this episode, co-host Bruce Miller first catches up with Bean and John and then has a conversation with Blackk, Smith and Sims. Blackk is among the most notable actors in the series, following an Emmy-nominated performance in "When They See Us," as well as notable roles on "This Is Us" and "Euphoria."

After that, co-host Terry Lipshetz talks about watching "The Howard Stern" show on HBO Max, which seems to be more for the biggest of fans, completely in on all of the inside jokes.

About the show

Streamed & Screened is a podcast about movies and TV hosted by Bruce Miller, a longtime entertainment reporter who is the retired editor of the Sioux City Journal in Iowa and Terry Lipshetz, managing editor of the National Newsroom for Lee Enterprises based in Madison, Wisconsin. The show was named Best Podcast in the 2025 Iowa Better Newspaper Contest.

Theme music

Thunder City by Lunareh, used under license from Soundstripe. YouTube clearance: FV694ULMCJQDG0IY

Throughout cinematic and television history, religious programming has been a popular theme with an obvious, built-in audience.

From Charlton Heston as Moses in “The Ten Commandments” to Martin Scorsese’s controversial “The Last Temptation of Christ,” the Bible has helped provide plots for numerous productions. More recently, “The Chosen” has retold the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth, with a sixth and final season coming soon.

On this week’s episode, co-host Bruce Miller discusses the journey he took to Texas to visit the set of “The Chosen,” where he and other entertainment journalists met with the cast and crew of the series as the series prepared to wrap production.

Additionally, co-host Terry Lipshetz discusses recent viewings, including the first season of the Netflix reboot of “Little House on the Prairie,” the Netflix movie “The Whisper Man” starring robert DeNiro, Adam Scott and Michael Keaton and another series on Netflix, “Conversations with a Killer: The Charles Manson Tapes.”

Note to listeners: When discussing “Conversations with a Killer: The Charles Manson Tapes,” co-host Terry Lipshetz discussed meeting former Associated Press Los Angeles courtroom reporter Linda Deutsch. While Deutsch was a prominent voice in the documentary, she died on Sept. 1, 2024, nearly two years prior to its release. Deutsch retired in 2014, having covered the major trials in the city, including Robert F. Kennedy assassin Sirhan Sirhan, Patty Hearst, O.J. Simpson, Phil Spector, the Menendez brothers and others. She briefly returned to write about O.J. Simpson in 2019.

About the show

Streamed & Screened is a podcast about movies and TV hosted by Bruce Miller, a longtime entertainment reporter who is the retired editor of the Sioux City Journal in Iowa and Terry Lipshetz, managing editor of the National Newsroom for Lee Enterprises based in Madison, Wisconsin. The show was named Best Podcast in the 2025 Iowa Better Newspaper Contest.

Theme music

Thunder City by Lunareh, used under license from Soundstripe. YouTube clearance: FV694ULMCJQDG0IY

Television shows and movies that touch on religious themes can have an enthusiastic and built-in audience, so it’s no wonder that filmmakers are eager to produce them when the opportunity arises.

“Daniel and the Fiery Furnace” is the latest in a recent surge of religious-themed programming retelling biblical tales. In this week’s episode, co-host Bruce Miller talks with stars Mena Massoud and Elijah Alexander. For Alexander in particular, the film marks another opportunity to tackle a faith-based project, having already starred in the series “The Chosen.”

In addition to those interviews, Miller catches up with Grammy and Tony-winning performer Leslie Odom Jr., who recently returned to one of his most notable roles as Aaron Burr in the Broadway show “Hamilton.”

About the show

Streamed & Screened is a podcast about movies and TV hosted by Bruce Miller, a longtime entertainment reporter who is the retired editor of the Sioux City Journal in Iowa and Terry Lipshetz, managing editor of the National Newsroom for Lee Enterprises based in Madison, Wisconsin. The show was named Best Podcast in the 2025 Iowa Better Newspaper Contest.

Theme music

Thunder City by Lunareh, used under license from Soundstripe. YouTube clearance: FV694ULMCJQDG0IY

Would you do anything for your child? That’s at the heart of “The Weight,” a new movie from Padraic McKinley starring Ethan Hawke, Russell Crowe and Julia Jones.

In this episode, co-host Bruce Miller talks with McKinley about his first big directing opportunity, working with Hawke, whose film company is producing the movie, and Crowe. Miller then speaks with Hawke and Jones.

Co-host Terry Lipshetz also discusses the end of the third season of the Hulu post-apocalyptic drama series “Silo,” as well as the new Netflix documentary “Untold Mr. T: I Pity the Fool” on 1980s icon Mr. T.

About the show

Streamed & Screened is a podcast about movies and TV hosted by Bruce Miller, a longtime entertainment reporter who is the retired editor of the Sioux City Journal in Iowa and Terry Lipshetz, managing editor of the National Newsroom for Lee Enterprises based in Madison, Wisconsin. The show was named Best Podcast in the 2025 Iowa Better Newspaper Contest.

Theme music

Thunder City by Lunareh, used under license from Soundstripe. YouTube clearance: FV694ULMCJQDG0IY

With summer largely over, it’s time to turn our attention back to the start of awards season, which kicks off with the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 14.

Which shows will lead the way? Season 2 of “The Pitt” seems destined to dominate the drama category. The other categories appear to be a little more wide open. Will “Hacks” get rewarded in its final season, or will a newcomer like “Widow’s Bay” play spoiler?

And while “DTF St. Louis” turned into one of the most buzzworthy shows of the past year, the limited series category feels a bit more wide open.

In this episode of Streamed & Screened, co-hosts Bruce Miller and Terry Lipshetz break down the main categories and discuss whether this might finally be the year where Harrison Ford is honored for a strong performance on “Shrinking.”

About the show

Streamed & Screened is a podcast about movies and TV hosted by Bruce Miller, a longtime entertainment reporter who is the retired editor of the Sioux City Journal in Iowa and Terry Lipshetz, managing editor of the National Newsroom for Lee Enterprises based in Madison, Wisconsin. The show was named Best Podcast in the 2025 Iowa Better Newspaper Contest.

Theme music

Thunder City by Lunareh, used under license from Soundstripe. YouTube clearance: FV694ULMCJQDG0IY

The latest show from Ryan Murphy, “The Shards,” has placed the spotlight on several young actors with celebrity connections, such as Kaia Gerber, daughter of Cindy Crawford, and Homer Gere, son of Richard Gere.

The show has also allowed for well-known Broadway producer Jordan Roth to finally break through in an acting role. Roth, who plays Steven Reinhardt, an assistant to Hollywood film producer Terry Schaffer (Wes Bentley), emerges from the fringes in early episodes to a more central role as the series unfolds.

In this episode, co-host Bruce Miller talks with Roth about finally getting an opportunity to act after years of Tony award-winning work as producer and creative director for hits such as “Hair,” “Kinky Boots,” and “Hadestown,” among others.

Miller and co-host Terry Lipshetz then discuss the life and legacy of Dolly Parton and Tim Curry, who both died at age 80 on Aug. 25.

About the show

Streamed & Screened is a podcast about movies and TV hosted by Bruce Miller, a longtime entertainment reporter who is the retired editor of the Sioux City Journal in Iowa and Terry Lipshetz, managing editor of the National Newsroom for Lee Enterprises based in Madison, Wisconsin. The show was named Best Podcast in the 2025 Iowa Better Newspaper Contest.

Theme music

Thunder City by Lunareh, used under license from Soundstripe. YouTube clearance: FV694ULMCJQDG0IY

Getting a movie made can cost a lot of money, so studios may be apprehensive about greenlighting certain projects.

But for some directors, that's not a problem. Christopher Nolan, whose credits include "Oppenheimer" and "The Odyssey," is among those who can get just about anything produced.

Which other directors make the list? On this episode, co-hosts Bruce Miller and Terry Lipshetz go through lists of directors who have become safe bets in Hollywood.

About the show

Streamed & Screened is a podcast about movies and TV hosted by Bruce Miller, a longtime entertainment reporter who is the retired editor of the Sioux City Journal in Iowa and Terry Lipshetz, managing editor of the National Newsroom for Lee Enterprises based in Madison, Wisconsin. The show was named Best Podcast in the 2025 Iowa Better Newspaper Contest.

Theme music

Thunder City by Lunareh, used under license from Soundstripe. YouTube clearance: FV694ULMCJQDG0IY

"Ted Lasso" is hardly the only show to reboot after calling it quits, but after starting the fourth season, we're wondering if a return to Richmond was necessary.

Co-host Terry Lipshetz is a longtime fan of the show and shares his thoughts on the new season and how it stacks up with other shows that have tried to make a comeback. He also talks about the end of Season 3 of "House of the Dragon," the first spinoff of the HBO classic "Game of Thrones," and an adventure to the IMAX theater to see "The Odyssey."

Bruce Miller talks about some of what he's been watching, including the latest installment in the "Camp Rock" film series and what is scheduled from NBC this fall after getting a preview from the studio.

About the show

Streamed & Screened is a podcast about movies and TV hosted by Bruce Miller, a longtime entertainment reporter who is the retired editor of the Sioux City Journal in Iowa and Terry Lipshetz, managing editor of the National Newsroom for Lee Enterprises based in Madison, Wisconsin. The show was named Best Podcast in the 2025 Iowa Better Newspaper Contest.

Theme music

Thunder City by Lunareh, used under license from Soundstripe. YouTube clearance: FV694ULMCJQDG0IY