Awards Chatter

The Mexican auteur reflects on the supernatural experiences that shaped him, lessons he learned from films that got derailed and why his latest work — "a musical-thriller-drama Douglas Sirk version of a monster movie" about "outsiders" striving to save "a filthy thing that came from South America" — is not only his favorite but "me, in my totality." But first: Annette Insdorf, a professor in the Graduate Film Program of Columbia University's School of the Arts, joins Scott to talk about her new book Cinematic Overtures: How to Read Opening Scenes, great opening scenes of 2017 films and the differences between Academy members in New York and LA. Credits: Hosted by Scott Feinberg, recorded and produced by Matthew Whitehurst. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The biggest star in Hollywood opens up about the evolution of her career and feelings about celebrity, the phone hack that left her feeling "gangbanged by the fucking planet" and her work with Darren Aronofsky on the most grueling and controversial movie of her career ("I kind of made it and broke it"). But first: Sid Ganis, the former president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, joins Scott to talk about the organization's expulsion of Harvey Weinstein, the Disney-LA Times standoff, Ganis' favorite movies of 2017 and the new music doc he executive produced, 'BANG! The Bert Berns Story.' Credits: Hosted by Scott Feinberg, recorded and produced by Matthew Whitehurst. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The multi-talented, enigmatic artist reflects on juggling filmmaking with college, graduate and Ph.D studies; how an epiphany during the making of 'Pineapple Express' made possible his Oscar-nominated performance in '127 Hours'; and why he's drawn to eccentrics like the one he played in 'Spring Breakers' and Tommy Wiseau. But first: Will Arnett, the popular comedy actor, joins Scott to talk about Louis C.K.'s fall from grace, voiceover acting, 'Arrested Development' and the animated feature 'The LEGO Batman Movie,' in which he voices Bruce Wayne/Batman. Credits: Hosted by Scott Feinberg, recorded and produced by Matthew Whitehurst. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 27-year-old Aussie, who catapulted to international stardom through 'The Wolf of Wall Street,' discusses her conflicted feelings about fame and her 'bombshell' image, why she formed her own production company and how, through it, she helped to bring to life a dramedy about Tonya Harding that features the best performance of her career. But first: Kim Masters, a THR editor-at-large who has been on the Hollywood sex abuse beat for years, joins Scott to talk about the latest developments and what might happen next. Credits: Hosted by Scott Feinberg, recorded and produced by Matthew Whitehurst. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the smartest and funniest people in show business — heretofore best known as half of the comedy team Key & Peele, which was at the center of an Emmy-winning Comedy Central sketch show of the same name from 2012 through 2015 — reflects on his path to writing and directing a $4.5 million film that grossed more than $250 million worldwide upon its release in February and remains 2017's most critically acclaimed release. Credits: Hosted by Scott Feinberg, recorded and produced by Matthew Whitehurst. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most revered and influential composers of the past century reflects on the 'minimalism' style for which he's famous, collaborations with everyone from David Bowie to Martin Scorsese and scoring Brett Morgen’s terrific new documentary about the early work of primatologist Jane Goodall. But first: Ashley Cullins, a THR staff reporter specializing in legal coverage, joins Scott to discuss the stunning downfall of Harvey Weinstein and what may come next. Credits: Hosted by Scott Feinberg, recorded and produced by Matthew Whitehurst. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An unassuming director and his precocious leading lady reflect on their unlikely journeys — through iPhone movies and kiddie casting calls — to a collaboration that resulted in one of 2017's most acclaimed films. But first: THR's film critic and chief theater critic David Rooney joins Scott to dissect the first half of the 55th New York Film Festival. Credits: Hosted by Scott Feinberg, recorded by Ryan Gabos and produced by Matthew Whitehurst. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Lakers legend reflects on his hardwood career, how 'Black Mamba' saved him, why he retired via a poem that he's turned into an acclaimed animated short — plus who he considers the greatest NBA player ever, how he feels about National Anthem kneeling and more. But first: Veteran Academy members Alec Lorimore and Arnold Schwartzman look back on the David vs. Goliath battle that ultimately resulted in the creation of a documentary branch of the Academy. Credits: Hosted by Scott Feinberg, recorded and produced by Matthew Whitehurst. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The legendary stage and screen actress, who made her professional debut 60 years ago, reflects on landing her first great film role at 63, earning all seven of her Oscar noms (one of whihc resulted in a win) over the 20 years since and why she may or may not have Harvey Weinstein's name tattooed on her bum. But first: THR's film editor Gregg Kilday joins Scott to recap the last week in the awards race. Credits: Hosted by Scott Feinberg, recorded and produced by Matthew Whitehurst. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most exciting actors of his generation, who made his name on TV as a 21st century Sherlock Holmes and in films ranging from 'The Imitation Game' to 'Doctor Strange,' reflects on the appeal of acting, experiencing sudden celebrity and playing real people, most recently Thomas Edison. But first: Toronto International Film Festival artistic director Cameron Bailey and CEO Piers Handling join Scott to recap the 42nd Toronto International Film Festival. Credits: Hosted by Scott Feinberg, recorded by Adam Clark and produced by Matthew Whitehurst. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The trailblazing Pakistan-born comedian, writer and actor — one of the few brown men ever to play a lead in an American movie — reflects on coming to America at 18, falling in love with stand-up and making the most emotionally vulnerable period in his life the center of a movie that now has grossed more than $50 million worldwide and is the second best-reviewed release of 2017 so far. But first: THR's editorial director Matthew Belloni joins Scott to discuss the 42nd Toronto International Film Festival. Credits: Hosted by Scott Feinberg, recorded by Eric Taylor and produced by Matthew Whitehurst. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 32-year-old Israeli who played DC Comics’ most iconic female character in the first big-studio superhero film ever to center on a female protagonist — the hit of the summer — discusses her unusual road to Hollywood, her champions and trolls ("They had a lot to say about the lack of boobs and the lack of booty") and her film's critical, commercial and social success. But first: THR's executive editor (features) Stephen Galloway joins Scott to discuss the 42nd Telluride Film Festival. Credits: Hosted by Scott Feinberg, recorded and produced by Matthew Whitehurst. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This year's Golden Globe winner for best actress in a comedy series discusses what it was like growing up as Diana Ross' daughter, why her current show and character are socially significant and why she has mixed feelings about the accolades that she's been racking up, of late. Credits: Hosted by Scott Feinberg, recorded by Dennis Schweitzer and produced by Matthew Whitehurst. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The actress who Lorne Michaels ranks among the "top three or four" 'SNL' cast members ever reflects on how she fell in love with improv, why she co-wrote and starred in 'Bridesmaids' and then followed its massive success with indie dramedies and what it's like to return to Studio 8H as a host. Credits: Hosted by Scott Feinberg, recorded by Dennis Schweitzer and produced by Matthew Whitehurst. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Grammy- and Oscar-winning rapper discusses the evolution of his voice (musical and political), Fox News haters and how mass incarceration became a focus of both his activism and his latest, Emmy-nominated song. Credits: Hosted by Scott Feinberg, recorded by Dennis Schweitzer and produced by Matthew Whitehurst Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over a blunt, the gangsta rap and hip-hop icon candidly reflects on his quarter-century in the public eye — the highs (literal and figurative) and lows (jail time, a murder charge, losing friends to the east coast-west coast rivalry), plus secrets of survival and reinvention (pimp, peacemaker and now Emmy-nominated cooking show host). Credits: Hosted by Scott Feinberg, recorded and produced by Matthew Whitehurst. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a rare interview, one of the most important figures in the history of comedy discusses the roots of his iconic variety show, dissects its 42nd season (its most watched in 23 years and most Emmy-nominated ever) and reveals his thoughts on retirement and what he'd like to happen to 'SNL' after he's gone. Credits: Hosted by Scott Feinberg, recorded by Ryan Gabos and produced by Matthew Whitehurst. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the finest character actors ever — a regular in the movies of Spike Lee, the Coen brothers and Adam Sandler — reflects on being ethnic-looking, overcoming a mid-career crisis that almost led him to retire and why so many of his projects — from 'Do the Right Thing' to his latest, the HBO limited series for which he's Emmy-nominated — address bigotry. Credits: Hosted by Scott Feinberg, recorded by Ryan Gabos and produced by Matthew Whitehurst. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most revered actresses of her generation — a best actress Oscar winner currently in contention for a best actress (limited series) Emmy — looks back on her accidental entry into showbiz, achieving her greatest successes after 40, her controversial political views and why TV is the new home for actresses of a certain age. Credits: Hosted by Scott Feinberg, recorded by Ryan Gabos and produced by Matthew Whitehurst. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Late night's comeback kid — as in, its ratings leader and an Emmy frontrunner just a year after some began writing him off — discusses the tragedy that led him to comedy, the evolution of "Stephen Colbert" on Comedy Central and why his fortunes, as David Letterman's successor, turned around after Trump's election. Credits: Hosted by Scott Feinberg; recorded by Ryan Gabos; produced by Matthew Whitehurst. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arguably the greatest comedy actress in TV history reflects on how a bad experience at 'SNL' led to 'Seinfeld,' how she stared down "the 'Seinfeld' curse" and why she loves playing bumbling politician Selina Meyer on the hit HBO show that won the last two Emmys for best comedy series. Credits: Hosted by Scott Feinberg, produced and recorded by Matthew Whitehurst. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The veteran amongst broadcast's current crop of late-night hosts opens up about his 15 years on the job, worshipping Letterman and feuding with Leno, hosting an insane Oscars and sharing an emotional 13-minute monologue about his newborn son. Credits: Hosted by Scott Feinberg Produced and Recorded by Matthew Whitehurst Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

'America's Sweetheart' reflects on becoming an A-list superstar, hitting a terrible slump during which she was declared a 'has-been' and then reinventing herself as an actress/producer and Oprah-like champion of great books. Credits: Hosted by Scott Feinberg Produced and Recorded by Matthew Whitehurst Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The TV star whose breakthrough — back-to-back Emmy noms, for 'The People v. O.J. Simpson' last year and the NBC charmer that became the highest-rated new series of this year — was 15 years in the making, reflects on struggles, loss and gratitude. Credits: Hosted by Scott Feinberg Produced by Matthew Whitehurst Recorded by Dennis Schweitzer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of TV's most prolific and daring content creators — the man behind 'Nip/Tuck,' 'Glee,' 'American Horror Story' and 'American Crime Story,' among other groundbreaking shows — reflects on hopping between genres, tearing down barriers and building a family of collaborators. Credits: Hosted by Scott Feinberg Produced by Matthew Whitehurst Recorded by Dennis Schweitzer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 'Star Wars' breakout discusses his explosion into superstardom, the industry's handling of diversity and representation, what to expect from 'The Last Jedi' and why he regards Kathryn Bigelow's new drama about the 1967 Detroit riot as "the biggest movie of my career." Credits: Hosted by Scott Feinberg Produced by Matthew Whitehurst Recorded by Dennis Schweitzer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The "Queen of Peak TV," who made her name on 'The West Wing,' 'Mad Men' and 'Top of the Lake,' discusses why her "heart's really in television," what she took away from each of her major roles and how Trump has impacted the way people consume the hugely acclaimed Hulu drama for which she might finally win an Emmy (or two). Credits: Hosted by Scott Feinberg Produced and Recorded by Matthew Whitehurst Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 31-year-old Brit, best known as the male star of the fantasy 'Twilight' franchise, reflects on sudden celebrity, 'Twihard' fanatics and their strong feelings about his former relationship with Kristen Stewart and how his 10-year career-reinvention plan is operating right on schedule. Credits: Hosted by Scott Feinberg Produced and Recorded by Matthew Whitehurst Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first openly trans person ever to receive an acting Emmy nom — now two — or to appear on the cover of 'Time' reflects on a lifetime of discovering herself, fending off bigots and blazing a trail for others. Credits: Hosted by Scott Feinberg Produced by Matthew Whitehurst Recorded by Dennis Schweitzer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 61-year-old mother of six and grandmother of six — among the most powerful and controversial people working in TV today, as an EP and star of the E! reality series and its spinoffs and "Momager" of her costars — opens up about O.J. (Nicole was one of her best friends), her ex Bruce (who had $200 when they married), "haters" and why her family and shows are actually good for America. Credits: Hosted by Scott Feinberg Produced and Recorded by Matthew Whitehurst Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The big-chinned legend of late-night — who hosted 'The Tonight Show' for 23 years — opens up about his unlikely ascent from vagrant to Johnny Carson's successor, the truth about his friendships-turned-feuds with Dave and Conan and why he now hosts a show about cars for CNBC. Credits: Hosted by Scott Feinberg Produced and Recorded by Matthew Whitehurst Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The force behind two of TV's edgiest shows and winner of the last two comedy direction Emmys, who recently transitioned from female to non-binary, opens up about their bumpy climb from writer to showrunner, the gamble that changed their career and how they are trying to "topple the patriarchy" on screen and off. Credits: Hosted by Scott Feinberg Produced and Recorded by Matthew Whitehurst Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Golden Globe-winning actor and Oscar-winning screenwriter opens up about his unlikely breakthrough with 'Sling Blade' during the 1990s indie boom, his brief marriage to Angelina Jolie (and their matching blood vials) and the appeal of doing TV, like his current Amazon series, versus films. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Emmy-winning co-creator of 'Friends' opens up about the sitcom's real-life inspirations, why she and David Crane creatively split and she avoided TV for 11 years and why she finally returned not with another multi-camera broadcast show about young people but with a single-cam streaming show about older women. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2016's Emmy winner for best actor in a drama series — an Egyptian-American who was that category's first non-white honoree in 18 years — reflects on early stereotypical casting, great collaborators who helped him break out of it and the prescience of his current show about a disturbed hacker hiding beneath his hoodie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The seven-time Emmy winner reflects on how theater led to some of her greatest film and TV opportunities, walking and talking through eight years on 'The West Wing' and why she feels so personally connected to Chuck Lorre's "other" multicam sitcom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The legendary child star turned adult actor turned Oscar-winning director, who has been known to the public for almost all of his 63 years and still is creating top-notch entertainment, reflects on his one-of-a-kind journey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the all-time most prolific and accomplished directors/producers of live TV events — awards shows, Super Bowl halftime shows, Olympics opening ceremonies, political conventions and music/variety specials — looks back on a half-century in the control room. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The South African comedian, who is the youngest person and only person of color currently hosting a late-night show, discusses his childhood under Apartheid, lessons learned from Jon Stewart, why Donald Trump is like an African dictator and his plans for the future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In her first wide-ranging podcast interview, the trailblazing legend opens up about her horrific childhood, finding her calling, what made her successful on TV, why her fame causes her to hesitate before taking acting jobs and what she thinks her legacy will be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The two-time Tony winner reflects on her early desire to be a rock 'n roll singer, her rollercoaster of a career ("I am not anybody's first choice"), why she hates the word 'diva,' what she'd do if Donald Trump came to one of her shows and why she dreams of ending her career on a sitcom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Five Broadway standouts — nominated for 'The Price,' 'Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812,' 'Six Degrees of Separation,' 'Groundhog Day' and 'Dear Evan Hansen,' respectively — discuss the challenges and rewards of working on the Great White Way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

5 Broadway standouts — nominated for 'Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812,' 'War Paint,' 'Oslo,' 'The Glass Menagerie' and 'The Little Foxes,' respectively — discuss the challenges and rewards of working on the Great White Way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 40-year-old Swede, currently in serious contention for his first Emmy nom, reflects on attaining and then fleeing from child stardom, his breakthrough in 'Generation Kill' and 'True Blood' and his intense scenes of sex and violence with Nicole Kidman in HBO's provocative limited series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of this year's biggest breakout stars — she won Golden Globe and SAG awards for her portrayal of young Queen Elizabeth II in the most expensive TV series ever made (Netflix allocated $100 million for its first two seasons) — reflects on auditioning while pregnant, playing a woman famous for hiding her emotions and growing as an actress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first openly gay host of a late-night talk show opens up about helping to create the reality TV era at Bravo, the positive and negative impact of the 'Real Housewives' franchise that he EPs and making the jump from suit to on-air personality. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The irreverent British comedy genius behind ‘The Office’ and ‘Extras’ explains how his life informs his work, what it would take for him to host the Oscars (he’s hosted four unforgettable Golden Globes) and what it was like to revisit his most iconic character — who, he believes, paved the way for Pres. Trump — 15 years after he last brought him to life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recently hailed by New York magazine as “the funniest woman alive,” the two-time Tony and Emmy winner reflects on being part of the landmark sketch comedy series 'SCTV,' why she feels much more at home on Broadway than doing improv and discovering that she helped to inspire the likes of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The fast-rising stage and screen star reflects on entering showbiz as an out gay man, how his Tony-nominated 'Book of Mormon' perf led Lena Dunham to hire him for her groundbreaking HBO series and why he'll always return to Broadway (where he's also starred in 'Hamilton'). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the heels of his third Tony nom in four years, the Broadway star reflects on his journey from dinner theater to the Great White Way, where he's starred in movie adaptations ('Saturday Night Fever,' 'Legally Blonde,' 'Rocky' and 'Groundhog Day') and theater phenomena ('Wicked' and 'Jersey Boys') and now is doing eight shows a week with a fully-torn ACL. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices