The Sam Sanders Show

<p dir="ltr">Aparna Nancherla is probably the funniest introvert doing comedy. Although Sam is a total extrovert, he’s admired her work for years. </p> <p dir="ltr">She tells Sam how she got comfortable on stage and why stand-up is the perfect activity to combat shyness. They also break down the excessive demands of modern life, the internet surveillance state, and why we all need to log off and touch grass. Plus, she shares a 'vicious’ pop culture hot take. </p> <p dir="ltr">Aparna's latest special ‘<em><a href="https://watch.dropout.tv/aparna-nancherla-hopeful-potato">Hopeful Potato</a></em>’ is out now.</p> <p dir="ltr">Sign up for <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/the-sam-sanders-show">Sam’s Newsletter</a> to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>The Sam Sanders Show</em> is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.</p>

<p dir="ltr"><em>Note: This episode contains spoilers! </em></p> <p dir="ltr">A24’s ‘The Drama’ has pissed off many moviegoers. </p> <p dir="ltr">The film, directed by Kristoffer Borgli, follows a newly engaged couple played by Zendaya and Robert Pattinson. The trailer gives rom-com vibes, until a shocking confession threatens to end their relationship.</p> <p dir="ltr">This movie (and the discourse around it) raises a lot of tricky questions: What does a movie studio owe to the public? How provocative should a mainstream film ever be? What kind of movie star is Zendaya? Sam dives into all of this with Amy Nicholson, film critic at the ‘<a href="https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2026-04-02/drama-review-zendaya-robert-pattinson-alana-haim-kristoffer-borgli">Los Angeles Times</a>’ and co-host of the ‘<a href="https://www.unspooledpodcast.com/">Unspooled</a>’ podcast.</p> <p dir="ltr">Sign up for <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/the-sam-sanders-show">Sam’s Newsletter</a> to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.</p>

<p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">We’re breaking down one of the most important film genres ever on the show today…The classic Romantic Comedy! Because rom-coms always make us feel better, even the ones that haven’t aged well. </p> <p dir="ltr">Sam is joined by two lovebugs to create a (not quite) definitive list of the greatest rom-coms of all time. Liz Plank, author and host of the ‘<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfeIU5sgr3ggOL2lvCcHj4MYelfYyyr5p">Boy Problems</a>’ podcast, and Ryan Mitchell, entertainment journalist and co-host of the ‘<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@highkeyhere">High Key</a>’ podcast. </p> <p dir="ltr">Together, they unpack the most rewarding life lessons from the best rom-coms in Hollywood history.</p> <p dir="ltr">Sign up for <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/the-sam-sanders-show">Sam’s Newsletter</a> to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.</p> <p> </p>

<p dir="ltr">Swedish pop star Robyn has just released a new album, after almost eight years since her last one. ‘Sexistential’ mixes themes of motherhood and maturity with classic club beats.</p> <p dir="ltr">Sam breaks it all down with Jia Tolentino, staff writer at ‘The New Yorker,’ who recently <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/03/30/robyn-profile">profiled Robyn</a> for the magazine. She explains what the new songs say about heartbreak, sexuality and the uncertainty of our modern times. Plus, they dive into Robyn’s origin story and how she’s managed to stay relevant after three decades in the music business.</p> <p dir="ltr">Sign up for <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/the-sam-sanders-show">Sam’s Newsletter</a> to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>The Sam Sanders Show</em> is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.</p> <p> </p>

<p dir="ltr">A great piece of pop culture often includes cheating scandals, obsessed fans and some serious competition. We’re not talking about 'The Real Housewives'… But the <a href="https://www.nytco.com/games/">NYT Games</a> app!</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://everdeenmason.com/">Everdeen Mason</a> leads the Games Team at 'The New York Times.' She tells Sam about what goes into making Wordle, Connections, The Crossword and so much more. She also breaks down the challenge of keeping millions of players satisfied. Plus, Everdeen shares what she really thinks about cheating at Wordle. </p> <p dir="ltr">Sign up for <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/the-sam-sanders-show">Sam’s Newsletter</a> to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.</p> <p> </p>

<p dir="ltr">It’s been a bad week for ‘The Bachelorette’ franchise. </p> <p dir="ltr">For the first time in the show’s history, ABC pulled the plug on its new season just days before it was set to air. The move came after a 2023 video surfaced of the show’s star — Taylor Frankie Paul of ‘Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ fame — physically assaulting her then boyfriend. </p> <p dir="ltr">Could this scandal mark the end of the already struggling franchise? And what does it say about the future of the reality genre? Sam talks it out with Vulture’s TV critic <a href="https://www.vulture.com/article/why-taylor-frankie-paul-bachelorette-was-cancelled.html">Kathryn VanArendonk</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Sign up for <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/the-sam-sanders-show">Sam’s Newsletter</a> to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.</p> <p> </p>

<p dir="ltr">Chris Fleming’s comedy is unlike anyone else working right now. His act is equal parts stand-up and interpretative dance. He's constantly moving, grooving and writhing all over the stage.</p> <p dir="ltr">It’s all on full display in his new HBO special ‘<a href="https://www.hbomax.com/movies/chris-fleming-live-at-the-palace/bd06a15f-cfa8-462e-bb19-7e5669665c8a">Chris Fleming: Live at the Palace</a>’. He spoke with Sam about embracing imperfection on stage, and how he uses movement to become a ‘spectacle.’ Chris also shares how his supportive family helped him find his purpose —  creating joy through stand-up. </p> <p dir="ltr">Sign up for <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/the-sam-sanders-show">Sam’s Newsletter</a> to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.</p> <p> </p>

<p dir="ltr">'KPop Demon Hunters' is officially an Oscar-winner. The beloved movie took home the trophy for Best Animated Feature at Sunday’s ceremony. The film's popular anthem 'Golden' won Best Original Song, the first K-pop song to ever win an academy award.</p> <p dir="ltr">Songwriter <a href="https://www.marksonnenblick.com/">Mark Sonnenblick</a> helped write 'Golden' and many other songs in the film. He spoke with Sam last fall all about bringing them all to life and why music is so vital to great storytelling. </p> <p dir="ltr">Sign up for <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/the-sam-sanders-show">Sam’s Newsletter</a> to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.</p> <p><em>The Sam Sanders Show</em> is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.</p>

<p dir="ltr">A twisted new horror film is being described as a mix between 'The Substance' and 'Mean Girls.' Sam can’t stop thinking about it.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRYAuKuzmn0">'Slanted'</a> follows an insecure Chinese American teenager who desperately wants to fit in, but faces constant bullying and discrimination. Then she finds a drastic solution — ethnic modification — surgery that makes her appear white. Pale skin, blue eyes and blonde hair included. </p> <p dir="ltr">Amy Wang wrote and directed the wildly brutal movie. She tells Sam how the script was inspired by her own experiences living in Australia with her Chinese immigrant family. She also explains why satire and body horror were the perfect combo to tell this story.</p> <p dir="ltr">Sign up for <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/the-sam-sanders-show">Sam’s Newsletter</a> to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.</p> <p><strong id="docs-internal-guid-dec344b5-7fff-e6ca-f178-6623f012826d"><br><em>The Sam Sanders Show</em> is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.</strong></p>

<p dir="ltr">It’s almost Oscars weekend, so we’re hanging out with the man behind some of the wildest moments in the ceremony’s history.</p> <p dir="ltr">Comedian Bruce Vilanch spent 25 years writing for the Oscars. He crafted jokes for legendary hosts like Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Martin, Billy Crystal and more. He spoke with Sam last year about his experiences in the job and his advice for aspiring comedy writers. </p> <p dir="ltr">Bruce Vilanch’s book is called: <em><a href="https://www.chicagoreviewpress.com/it-seemed-like-a-bad-idea-at-the-time-products-9780914091929.php">It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time: The Worst TV Shows in History and Other Things I Wrote</a></em></p> <p dir="ltr">Sign up for <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/the-sam-sanders-show">Sam’s Newsletter</a> to get behind-the-scenes stuff from every interview each week.</p> <p> </p>

<p dir="ltr">Awards season in Hollywood is in its final stretch. The suspense is rising. The Oscars are imminent.</p> <p dir="ltr">The ceremony is always full of glitz and glamour, but for years it’s been plagued by disappointments. Long and boring broadcasts. Unjustified snubs. Clunky skits and speeches. Despite it all, Sam loves to watch, but he has some ideas to fix Hollywood’s biggest night.</p> <p dir="ltr">Joining the show are two entertainment journalism heavyweights:</p> <p dir="ltr">Jacqueline Coley is awards editor at <em>Rotten Tomatoes</em> and host of <em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuq_rgCzEP_Ne0W0nk6R66sYFGr1Jrzqe">Seen on the Screen with Jacqueline Coley</a>.</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Clayton Davis is chief awards editor at <em>Variety</em> where he also hosts the <em><a href="https://variety.com/t/awards-circuit-podcast/">Awards Circuit Podcast.</a></em></p> <p dir="ltr">Sign up for <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/the-sam-sanders-show">Sam’s Newsletter</a> to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.</p> <p dir="ltr">And remember to take our <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSebOJGzPod7DhXNo8NvhFxMcLZxCmdPQL1sMq7sn_7-G4pYXg/viewform">survey</a>! We want to know more about you and what you love about the show.  </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>The Sam Sanders Show </em>is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.</p> <p> </p>