When Jean Smart first read the play ‘Call Me Izzy,’ she had one response. “I just had to do it.” Smart is taking a break from winning multiple Emmys for her portrayal of Deborah Vance on ‘Hacks’ to tackle the one-person Broadway show about Isabelle Scutley, a Southern woman trapped in an abusive marriage who, despite it all, finds her voice through writing and humor. Smart spoke with Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott exclusively about what inspired her to take on this endeavor, her inspiration for the character, and how she keeps up the stamina.

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You're not going to want to miss this one. Sam Sanders, the brilliant host of KCRW's pop culture podcast The Sam Sanders Show, joins Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott to help make sense of a truly chaotic week in news and entertainment. They unpack the complicated and stunning verdict in the Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial and what it means. Then, it's time for some news that has us buzzing: The Devil Wears Prada 2 is a go with the original cast! From one iconic diva to another, we break down the reviews and viral moments from Rachel Zegler's debut in Evita in London. Finally, we discussed the latest head-scratching political move: Donald Trump's "Alligator Alcatraz" merchandise. 

Follow Sam Sanders on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samsanders 

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Comedian and professional multi-hyphenate Anna Roisman joins Newsweek’s H. Alan for a chaotic-good deep dive into the things that really matter: Zohran Mamdani’s political hotness, Barbra Streisand’s eternal reign, the unhinged world of FYC Emmy campaigning, Anna Wintour stepping down from VOGUE, and—yes—And Just Like That. (Oh, an H. Alan opens a LABUBU, because why not?) It’s a wild ride through pop culture, politics, and prestige TV with one of H. Alan’s funniest friends.

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After the success of M3GAN, Allison Williams didn’t quite fear the stress of doing a sequel. “How lucky are we that we get to do this again? Because it’s a dream job.” In M3GAN 2.0 (June 27), we meet Gemma (Williams) and Cady (Violet McGraw) two years after M3GAN, a lifelike robot doll, turned on the humans she was meant to obey. This time she’s back, but she’s not the only robot doll out for revenge. “One of the great honors of doing a sequel is that the tone is established. People know her vibe. They know who she is and what to expect from her.” And what they can expect this go-around is that it will be unhinged in the best of ways. “They will always be ridiculous in a way: The titular character of the franchise is a robot with a blowout and a gorgeous smoky eye and a wardrobe full of new costumes.” One thing this franchise did ultimately do for Williams is change how she approaches technology. “A Waymo that I get out of, or like our robot vacuum, I’m always like, ‘Thank you so much. Don’t kill me someday. Thank you for your work. I’m grateful.’” [laughs] 

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Call the palace guards and cancel your brunch plans—Tenderoni is in the house! The mustachioed monarch of drag kings joins Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott to dish on King of Drag, Revry new reality competition series that’s finally giving drag kings the royal treatment. We talk rhinestones, representation, and how Tenderoni went from serving hot looks in Chicago to ruling the Revry runway. It’s glitter, greasepaint, and gender-bending greatness—and yes, there will be LOLz. You’re welcome.  

Follow Tenderoni at https://www.instagram.com/tenderoni88 

Watch ‘King of Drag’ for free on Revry at https://www.revry.tv 

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British diver Tom Daley was thrust onto the world stage at his first Olympic Games in 2008, age 14. What remained hidden from the public was the strain success at a young age put on him. "It was a very lonely period because no one really understood." Daley reflects on his diving career and life in the new documentary Tom Daley: 1.6 Seconds (Olympics.com). "Growing up, you think you know everything.... It's only when you look back, you realize you knew absolutely nothing." Daley also had to contend with losing his father and coming out as gay. "It was quite scary to finally, actually, come out. Because I knew that it wasn't just going to be telling my family. There was going to be public opinion." And he recounts being bullied while growing up. "I almost felt guilty for being bullied at school. I'm really grateful and really lucky to be in the position that I'm in, yet I'm having this really rough time." Though revisiting the past was hard, the keen knitter is proud of his documentary. "It would be really cool for my kids to have something to look back on and see what happened in my diving career." 

Watch this episode with Tom Daley: https://www.newsweek.com/2025/06/27/tom-daley-lonely-times-behind-olympic-successes-2082914.html 

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Fortune Feimster is one of the funniest comics working today. (She co-hosts Handsome, one of the most popular podcasts out there.) And if you know her, you know that she loves her doggy. Which is why it makes perfect sense she’s partnering with Greenies to ‘double dog dare you’ to smell your dog’s breath. Why smell your dog's breath? Because 80 percent of dogs develop dental issues by the age of 3, according to the Journal of Veterinary Medical Science. That’s wild!  

Feimster and I chatted about why she wants people to tag her in pics and videos of you smelling your dog’s breath, why she thinks her podcast Handsome is so popular, and how I, H. Alan Scott, can get more handsome, if you will. (I don’t think it’s possible.)  

You can watch our full chat by subscribing to my newsletter, For the Culture: https://www.newsweek.com/newsletter/the-culture/ 

Learn more about Feimster’s partnership with Greenies: https://www.greenies.com/pages/canine-dental-check 

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It’s a drag diva summit on the Parting Shot podcast as Kerri Colby, Mistress Isabelle Brooks, Nicole Paige Brooks, and Tina Burner join forces (sort of)—and trade a few (playful?) jabs about their time on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. From the tea to unfiltered opinions, nothing is off-limits with this chat. Expect bold takes and a few reads, as these queens do not hold back. 

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Asher Grodman joins the Parting Shot podcast to talk about life (and afterlife) on CBS’s hit comedy Ghosts. From his fan-favorite role as Trevor to the show’s growing awards recognition this season, Grodman shares how it feels to be part of a series that’s truly come alive. He also dishes on his strategic—and hilarious—use of the ghost 👻 emoji on social media. (So funny.)

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Jersey Shore, a reality television show that sparked backlash from politicians when it first aired, is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a new season of Jersey Shore Family Vacation. And while Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino is a fan favorite, after a six year hiatus being off reality television, he wasn’t sure people would like the new person he became. 

Newsweek’s Jenni Fink joins H. Alan Scott for this chat with Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino. Read Jenni’s feature on Mike here: https://www.newsweek.com/jersey-shore-family-vacation-mike-sorrentino-situation-2078136 

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