Larry Wilmore: Black on the Air

Larry weighs in on Bill Cosby’s release from prison to open the show (01:00). Later, Larry is joined by comedian and author Wayne Federman to discuss his new book ‘The History of Stand-Up: From Mark Twain to Dave Chapelle’ (10:00). Later they look at the vaudeville era of comedy (29:00), how technological advancements such as the microphone changed comedy (34:00), and the impact of cancel culture on comedy today (1:20:00). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Wayne Federman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry weighs in on Juneteenth becoming a holiday, the Catholic church’s potential communion ban on President Biden for his abortion stance, and the “heartbeat bill” (01:30). Later, Larry is joined by comedian and writer Sam Jay to discuss working on her show ‘PAUSE with Sam Jay,’ the difference between writing for ‘Saturday Night Live’ vs. her own show, and much more (24:00) Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Sam Jay Producer: Kaya McMullen Production Assistant: Jonathan Kermah Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Larry weighs in on how the privilege of being from the United States has contributed to the country’s lack of interest in getting vaccinated (0:43). Larry is joined by Oscar-winning actress Helen Hunt to discuss her latest work in the series ‘Blindspotting' (13:00). They also discuss a rejected ‘Twister’ reboot, her acting career, and much more. Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Helen Hunt Producers: Kaya McMullen and Bobby Wagner Production Assistant: Jonathan Kermah Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

To open the show, Larry again weighs in on alien conspiracies, as well as Tucker Carlson’s quote on COVID-19 vaccinations being the “medical Jim Crow" (1:00) Then, Larry is joined by Emmy Award-winning comedian Wanda Sykes to discuss working on her new Netflix show ‘The Upshaws’ during the pandemic (13:00). They also talk about Sykes transitioning from a NSA agent to stand-up comedian, and possible government cover ups (31:00). Later, they look back at their times performing at The White House Correspondents’ Dinner during the Obama years (44:00). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Wanda Sykes Producer: Kaya McMullen Production Assistant: Jonathan Kermah Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry briefly weighs in on the conservative attack on women’s reproductive right, as well as alien conspiracy theories to open the show (01:00). Later, he is joined by Oscar-winning director Barry Jenkins to discuss adapting Colson Whitehead’s novel into the television series ‘The Underground Railroad’ on Amazon Prime (13:00). Later, they discuss the art of directing (34:00), and avoiding the creation of Black trauma porn when telling stories that are intertwined with Black history (1:10:00). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Barry Jenkins Producer: Kaya McMullen Production Assistant: Jonathan Kermah Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry is joined by actor and director David Oyelowo to talk about getting into acting and why he decided to create his own production company (17:47), making his directorial debut with ‘The Water Man' and what it was like to direct himself as an actor (35:37), and why he's drawn to making movies with fantastical elements (51:53). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: David Oyelowo Producer: Kaya McMullen Production Assistant: Jonathan Kermah Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry weighs in on ‘May the Fourth Be With You’ and the importance of gratitude to open the show. Later, he is joined by New York Times best selling author Malcolm Gladwell to discuss his new audio book ‘The Bomber Mafia,’ how advances in technology change warfare, and more (11:00). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Malcolm Gladwell Producer: Kaya McMullen Production Assistant: Jonathan Kermah Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry is joined by actor and comedian Robin Thede on this week’s weigh-in to discuss Season 2 of ‘A Black Lady Sketch Show’ (01:00). Later, Larry is joined by comedian W. Kamau Bell to discuss ‘United Shades of America,’ defunding the police, and much more (30:10). Host: Larry Wilmore Guests: Robin Thede and W. Kamau Bell Producer: Kaya McMullen Production Assistant: Jonathan Kermah (edited) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry weighs in on a week filled with gun violence and police brutality, as well as the new Georgia voting law to open the show (02:00). Later, he is joined by Willie Geist, host of ‘Morning Joe’ and ‘Sunday Today with Willie Geist,’ to discuss what goes into the interview process, how President Biden is doing in office, and more (20:00). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Willie Geist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry is joined by Oscar nominated director Travon Free to discuss filming ‘Two Distant Strangers’ amidst the pandemic, how he got his start in the entertainment industry, and more (01:00). Later, Larry is joined by Oscar nominee and singer Andra Day to discuss portraying Billie Holiday in her first ever acting role with ‘The United States vs. Billie Holiday’ and more (37:00) Host: Larry Wilmore Guests: Travon Free and Andra Day Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry is joined by journalist and producer Soledad O’Brien to discuss her tv series ‘Disrupt and Dismantle’ (08:00), environmental racism (10:00), the death of local journalism (17:00), and much more. Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Soledad O’Brien Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry weighs in on the Atlanta spa shooting and the recent rise of hate targeted toward Asian people (03:00). Later, Larry is joined by CNN’s Don Lemon to discuss his new book ‘This is the Fire: What I Say to My Friends About Racism’ (10:00), growing up down south in Baton Rouge as a gay black man (18:00), James Baldwin’s impact on his life (13:00) and more. Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Don Lemon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry is joined by Walter Isaacson to talk about his new book, ‘The Code Breaker,’ a biography of the genetic scientist and a developer of CRISPR Jennifer Doudna. They talk about the history of genetic science (16:10), how the new mRNA vaccines work (33:43), and the ethical questions that arise when talking about the possibilities of gene editing (51:23). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Walter Isaacson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry is joined by director and producer Lee Daniels to talk about his new movie, 'The United States vs. Billie Holiday.' They talk about why Daniels was drawn to the story of Holiday (9:44), the decision to cast Andra Day, a relative unknown, as Holiday (24:01), and the difficulties that come with telling such a complex story (42:48). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Lee Daniels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry is joined by Charles Blow, New York Times op-ed columnist and author of ‘The Devil You Know: A Black Power Manifesto,’ to discuss his vision for a new Great Migration of Black Americans back to the South (08:00). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Charles Blow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today’s weigh in, Larry takes a moment to remember his brother Marc Wilmore (01:00). Later, Larry is joined by twin comedians, actors, and producers Kenny and Keith Lucas to discuss writing ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ (05:30). They also talk about why the Black Lives Matter movement doesn’t have overarching leaders like Fred Hampton (31:00), and much more. Host: Larry Wilmore Guests: Kenny and Keith Lucas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry weighs in on the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine and President Biden’s leadership. Later, Larry is joined by ESPN’s Stephen A Smith to discuss his new show ‘Stephen A’s World,’ Colin Kaepernick, Hank Aaron, women’s sports, and much more (14:00). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Stephen A Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry weighs in on President Biden taking office, and remembers the lives of Larry King and Hank Aaron. Later, Larry is joined by writer Fran Lebowitz to discuss working on ‘Pretend It’s a City’ with Martin Scorsese, growing up in New York in the 50’s and 60’s, and much more (16:00). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Fran Lebowitz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry weighs in on the final days of Trump in office and the art of deception. Later, he is joined by film director Sam Pollard to discuss his latest documentary ‘MLK/FBI,’ the wire tapping of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by the the FBI, and how the tapes could affect King's legacy (22:00). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Sam Pollard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry is joined by former Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Fred Claire to discuss the book ‘Extra Innings: Fred Claire’s Journey to City of Hope and Finding a World Championship Team.’ They talk about Claire’s transition from sports journalist to Dodgers staff member (20:00), working in public relations when Al Campanis said controversial racist remarks on ‘Nightline’ (27:00), battling skin cancer with the help of City of Hope (49:00), and more. Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Fred Claire Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On a very special holiday weigh in, Larry is joined by his daughter, Lauren Wilmore, to share how the lyrics of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” have changed over time. Later, Larry is joined by sculptor and former US Air Force test pilot Ed Dwight to discuss his journey to nearly becoming the first black astronaut in the 1960s (16:00), the racism that stopped him from making it to Space, and more. Host: Larry Wilmore Guests: Lauren Wilmore and Ed Dwight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry is joined by Steve McQueen, director of ‘12 Years a Slave,’ to discuss his latest project, ‘Small Axe,’ the Black British experience, and more. Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Steve McQueen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry opens with a weigh in on the importance of language as it pertains to the idea ‘defend the police.’ Later, Larry is joined by Walter Mosley, author of ‘Devil in a Blue Dress,’ to discuss his career as a writer (14:00), teaching with ‘MasterClass’ (34:00), and more. Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Walter Mosley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry is joined by film director Ken Kwapis to talk about his new book ‘But What I Really Want to Do Is Direct: Lessons from a Life Behind the Camera’ along with plenty of advice for those interested in television and film making. Later, the two discuss what they think needs to be on television right now (62:00) as well as working on ‘The Office.’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry is joined by Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post columnist and host of CNN’s ‘GPS,’ to discuss his new book, ‘Ten Lessons for a Post-Pandemic World.’ The two also discuss the progress of COVID-19 vaccines, the growing inequality gap in the pandemic, and more. Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Fareed Zakaria Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry is joined by Cornell Belcher, NBC political analyst and president of Brilliant Corners Research and Strategy, to react to the breaking news of Joe Biden and running mate Kamala Harris winning the 2020 presidential election. Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Cornell Belcher Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry is joined by Nate Silver, founder and editor-in-chief of FiveThirtyEight, to discuss how election polls are taken. The two also look at some of the key states expected to make an impact on Election Day. Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Nate Silver Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s episode is taken from a live conversation between Larry and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for ‘Live Talks Los Angeles’ on October 18. The two discuss Governor Cuomo’s latest book, ‘American Crisis: Leadership Lessons From the Covid-19 Pandemic,’ and more. Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Governor Andrew Cuomo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry is joined by author and political strategist Rick Wilson to discuss founding the Lincoln Project (6:30), the failures of the Trump administration during this presidential campaign (24:00), Wilson's ideal political party (48:50), and more. Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Rick Wilson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry is joined by Mother Jones writer Ari Berman to discuss President Trump's hospitalization due to COVID-19. Later, the two break down voter suppression going into the upcoming presidential election. Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Ari Berman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry is joined by Bakari Sellers to discuss the grand jury decision in the case of Breonna Taylor (9:53), the flaws in the justice system (26:04), predicting the upcoming presidential election (44:41), and more. Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Bakari Sellers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry is joined by former deputy national security adviser and political commentator Ben Rhodes to discuss his latest project ‘Missing America’ (11:00), working under the Obama administration (21:20), and Russia’s impact on the 2016 presidential election and the Trump administration (33:45). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Ben Rhodes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry is joined by CNN chief media correspondent Brian Stelter to discuss his new book, ‘Hoax: Donald Trump, Fox News, and the Dangerous Distortion of Truth.’ They also talk about Fox News’s influence on Donald Trump’s presidency. Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Brian Stelter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry is joined by environmental activist Erin Brockovich to talk about her latest book, ‘Superman’s Not Coming: Our National Water Crisis and What We the People Can Do about It,’ and identifying the signs that your drinking water may be contaminated. Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Erin Brockovich Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry is joined by author Isabel Wilkerson to talk about her new book, ‘Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.’ They talk about what it was like to have her book selected for Oprah’s Book Club (7:13), the differences between “class” and “caste” (21:01), and how going to India influenced her book (32:40). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Isabel Wilkerson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry is joined by The Ringer’s Bill Simmons to discuss social activism within the NBA bubble (13:21), the history of racism in the league and era-defining players (38:38), and what a championship means in this unorthodox season (41:43). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Bill Simmons Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry is joined by Al Roker, weather and feature anchor for ‘Today’ and cohost for the third hour of ‘Today,’ to discuss working from home with another TV star in the house (14:19), Roker’s more than 40-year career (23:20), and some of the “Al-truisms” in his latest book, ‘You Look So Much Better in Person: True Stories of Absurdity and Success’ (32:47). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Al Roker Check out ‘You Look So Much Better in Person’ here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry is joined by actor Don Cheadle to discuss his come-up as a Black actor in the ’90s (9:18), the electricity of his most recent project, ‘Black Monday’ (32:50), and how celebrities can most effectively use their platforms for activism (43:10). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Don Cheadle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry reflects on the influence of actor, director, and writer Carl Reiner, who died on Tuesday. Then, we resurface Larry’s interview with Reiner from November 2017, when he reflected on his long career in Hollywood (11:12). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Carl Reiner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry weighs in on the goals of the Black Lives Matter movement. Then, author James McBride joins the show to talk about covering music legends like Michael Jackson and James Brown (11:47), why he made the switch from journalism to fiction writing (41:54), and his new book, 'Deacon King Kong' (45:10). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: James McBride Check out 'Deacon King Kong' here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry Wilmore is joined by Michael Lewis for a live talk about his new book, 'The Fifth Risk: Undoing Democracy,' and observations he has taken away from this current moment. Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Michael Lewis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry weighs in on the movement to defund the police and the killing of Breonna Taylor. Then, he is joined by New York Times journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones to talk about how the killing of George Floyd was a wake-up call for white Americans (13:06), her work on the 1619 Project for the Times (30:41), and the white-washing of America's history (40:40). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Nikole Hannah-Jones Check out the 1619 Project here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry gives his thoughts on the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer and why racism in America is like a virus that must be rooted out. Host: Larry Wilmore Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry Wilmore weighs in on the slaying of Ahmaud Arbery and why Trump is not right for this moment (1:00). Then, he gets on the line with actress Uzo Aduba to talk about her role in ‘Mrs. America’ as Shirley Chisholm (10:26) and what she learned about the second-wave feminist movement while preparing for the role (36:19). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Uzo Aduba Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry talks about the new normal that we now find ourselves in and how the coronavirus has impacted his life (1:00). Then, he is joined by celebrity chef David Chang to talk about how the coronavirus has impacted the restaurant business (14:16), why it's so hard to predict what dining out will look like once the pandemic is over (29:48), and how this has changed the way he operates as a restaurateur (41:13). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: David Chang Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry weighs in on how the international pandemic might impact the presidential race (1:26). Then, he sits down with TV journalist Ed Gordon to talk about what it was like breaking into broadcast television while black (13:38) and his new book 'Conversations in Black: On Power, Politics, and Leadership' (45:13). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Ed Gordon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry weighs in on how the coronavirus has affected day-to-day life and Trump's handling of the pandemic (1:00). Then he sits down with New York Times reporter Conor Dougherty to talk about his new book, on the housing crisis in the Bay Area (13:52), and how gentrification creates unlikely alliances (51:59). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Conor Dougherty Check out 'Golden Gates: Fighting for Housing in America' here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry Wilmore is joined by Pod Save America’s Dan Pfeiffer to talk about why Democrats should be taking lessons from Mitt Romney’s 2012 candidacy for president (9:41), what influence Facebook will have in the 2020 election (42:56), and why Democrats need to turn nonvoters into voters in order to beat Trump (53:40). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Dan Pfeiffer Check out Dan’s new book ‘Un-Trumping America: A Plan to Make America a Democracy Again’ here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry weighs in on the Democratic primary race leading up to Super Tuesday as well as the Harvey Weinstein verdict (0:37) before he sits down with Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon, the founder and CEO of Village Market ATL, a marketplace that features and supports black entrepreneurs. They talk about why Dr. Hallmon was inspired to create Village Market (5:05) and the importance of entrepreneurship in fostering community (22:17). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry Wilmore sits down with 'NBC Nightly News' and 'Dateline NBC' anchor Lester Holt to talk about how he got his start in broadcast news (13:00), what he learned about the criminal justice system while embedded in a prison for a piece (30:32), and how he prepares to moderate a presidential debate (56:49). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Lester Holt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices