The Black List Podcast

When cultural tastemakers get stuck inside what do they watch, read, or play? In this throwback episode that has since become a classic, Franklin and Kate talk to each other about the things they discovered or rediscovered during lockdown. From Animal Crossing and Sarah Cooper, to Ted Lasso and Michaela Coel's I May Destroy You, you'll have some new gems to add to your list. See the show notes for more details!  Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This convo took place in 2020. Learn more about The Black List, visit ⁠www.blcklst.com.⁠ Mentions: Animal Crossing: ⁠https://animal-crossing.com⁠ 40-Year-Old Version: ⁠https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_forty_year_old_version⁠ Radha Blank on The Black List Podcast: ⁠https://luminarypodcasts.com/listen/ninth-planet-audio-&-the-black-list/the-black-list-podcast/radha-blank/d6c5b3d7-5e87-4aa1-92d1-aabacbe918b8⁠ Inside Out by Demi Moore: ⁠https://www.harpercollins.com/products/inside-out-demi-moore?variant=32131129442338⁠ It by Stephen King: ⁠https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/830502.It⁠ Caste by Isabel Wilkerson: ⁠https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/653196/caste-oprahs-book-club-by-isabel-wilkerson/⁠ Sarah Cooper: ⁠https://sarahcpr.com⁠ Ted Lasso: ⁠https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/ted_lasso⁠ I May Destroy You: ⁠https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/i_may_destroy_you⁠ You Must Remember This Podcast: ⁠http://www.youmustrememberthispodcast.com⁠Karina Longworth on The Black List Podcast: ⁠https://luminarypodcasts.com/listen/ninth-planet-audio-&-the-black-list/the-black-list-podcast/karina-longworth/ccc9d152-7947-48dc-bab8-871300e0c72a⁠ .

Actor and director Jay Ellis joins Kate and Franklin for some real talk. Jay opens up about starring in Top Gun: Maverick and how becoming a father has shifted his perspective on life and work. He also reflects on his iconic role as Lawrence in Insecure—including some truly wild fan encounters—and takes us behind the scenes of his directorial debut on the show. The trio covers career milestones, Mel Brooks, and the magic of storytelling. Plus, in one of the most unexpected turns, Jay shares how Spaceballs (yes, Spaceballs) first made him fall in love with acting. Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This episode was originally published in 2020, behind a paywall. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com. Mentions:+Insecure: https://www.hbo.com/insecure +Top Gun: https://shadowandact.com/new-top-gun-maverick-trailer-shows-at-jay-ellis-in-tom-cruise-sequel 

Jeremy O. Harris joins Kate and Franklin to talk about eliciting polarized audience reactions to Slave Play, describes his co-writing process with Janicza Bravo on Zola and talks about accessing the fascinating intersections of high and low culture, and so much more. Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This conversation took place in 2020. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Mentions: +Slave Play: http://slaveplaybroadway.com+Zola: http://rottentomatoes.com/m/zola

Academy award winning writer and director Lee Isaac Chung joins Kate and Franklin to talk about the trip to Rwanda that changed his filmmaking trajectory, his deep admiration for Charlie Chaplin and Wong Kar-wai, the making of his irresisitable Minari, and so much more.  Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This conversation took place in 2020 To learn more about The Black List, visit ⁠www.blcklst.com.⁠ Mentions: Minari: ⁠https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/minari⁠ 

A very special encore. Kate talks to Barbara Crampton, BJ Colangelo, and Gigi Saul Gurerro about their lives in the horror community, what they're working on, what types of stories they'd like to see told about women in horror, and so much more.Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This conversation is from 2020. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Mentions: Barbara Crampton: https://twitter.com/barbaracrampton BJ Colangelo: https://twitter.com/bjcolangelo Gigi Saul Gurerro: https://twitter.com/HorrorGuerrero 

Encore episode with award-winning journalist Soledad O'Brien. She joins Franklin for a conversation about growing up Black, her approach to documentary filmmaking, the state of journalism in the Trump era, and so much more. Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This conversation was recorded in 2020. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Mentions:+New York Times, Soledad O'Brien: A Me Too Movement for Journalists of Color, www.nytimes.com/2020/07/04/opinion/soledad-obrien-racism-journalism.html+Black in America: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/in.america/black.in.america/+Latino in America: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2009/latino.in.america/  

[Encore] Kate and Franklin sit down with Steven Canals, the brilliant mind behind Pose, to talk about growing up Afro-Latinx in the Boogie Down Bronx, why Cardi B is everything, and how a 2004 screening of Paris is Burning lit the spark that would eventually become one of TV's most groundbreaking shows. They dig into the complicated, beautiful realities of intersectional identity, the tough questions that came up in the Pose writers' room, and how Steven stayed true to his vision every step of the way. Plus, he drops some incredible answers to the Black List Pod questionnaire — including a wild (and amazing) mash-up of The Color Purple and Transformers.Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This conversation took place in 2021.To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Mentions: +Pose: fxnetworks.com/shows/pose+Paris is Burning: rottentomatoes.com/m/paris_is_burning+The Color Purple: rottentomatoes.com/m/color_purple+Terminator: rottentomatoes.com/m/terminator

In a special Emmy-themed roundtable, Franklin and Kate welcome three powerhouse creators—Billy Porter (Pose), Robin Thede (A Black Lady Sketch Show), and Ramy Youssef (Ramy)—for an unfiltered, deeply personal conversation recorded just ahead of the 72nd Annual Emmy Awards. This episode breaks the usual format to let the magic of the moment unfold. The trio dives into what it means to bring their full selves to the screen, the evolving responsibility of the artist, and the lessons they'd share with their younger selves. (As Billy memorably puts it: “A b*tch has to have boundaries!”)It's raw, real, and refreshingly honest—touching on identity, representation, and the complexity behind creating truly authentic work. As Kate says, “We just got out of the way and let it flow.” And flow it does.Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This conversation took place in 2020. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Mentions: +Pose: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/pose +A Black Lady Sketch Show: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/a_black_lady_sketch_show +Ramy: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/ramy 

Olympic gold medalist. Figure skating icon. Self-proclaimed "dramatic monster." Adam Rippon joins Franklin and Kate for an unhinged and hilarious episode that covers everything from Molly Shannon obsession to curating the perfect skating soundtrack. The trio dives into Useless Celebrity History, shares pop culture hot takes, and gets wonderfully derailed during a chaotic movie quiz. Plus, Adam opens up about his first on-screen crush (spoiler: Zac Efron inHigh School Musical) and the very unexpected hobbies that moment inspired. This episode is pure gold — just like Adam's medal.Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This episode was originally released in 2020 To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Mentions: +Superstar: http://rottentomatoes.com/m/1093874_superstar

In this episode, Franklin and Kate sit down with visionary director Cathy Yan to discuss her dynamic approach to crafting action sequences in Birds of Prey. From blending practical effects with high-energy combat to her grounded take on VFX, Cathy shares how she brought Gotham's most stylish mayhem to life. The conversation also delves into her journey from journalist to filmmaker, revealing how her investigative mindset influences her storytelling. Plus, Cathy opens up about her views on the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe, the evolution of DC films, and—just maybe—a little tease about a Birds of Prey sequel. This conversation from 2020 goes deep on all this filmmaking, and genre storytelling, plus the art of making an oddball, feminist superhero movie that breaks all the rules.Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This episode was originally published in 2020, behind a paywall. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com. Mentions:+Birds of Prey: www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/cathy_yan

[Reprise] Franklin and Kate are joined by the incredible Radha Blank—director, playwright, rapper, and friend of The Black List. Her debut feature, The 40-Year-Old Version, premiered at Sundance and earned her the Directing Award, making an unforgettable mark on the industry. The film is a deeply personal and hilarious take on reinvention and artistic expression. Radha takes us through her journey—from playwriting and rapping to stepping behind the camera for her first feature. We also dive into her early cinephile roots, exploring the films that shaped her storytelling, from The Landlord to Cinema Paradiso. Plus, she shares the moment she realized film was her true calling, and how her mother's love of cinema influenced her creative path.Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This conversation took place in 2021. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Mentions: The 40-Year-Old Version: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_forty_year_old_version 

[Encore! ¡Otra!] Two powerhouse talents, one unforgettable episode. When The Black List teamed up with Hulu to launch the first-ever Latinx List, it was only natural for Franklin and Kate to sit down with two of the initiative's driving forces: Gloria Calderón Kellett (One Day at a Time) and Tanya Saracho (Vida). In this classic conversation, the acclaimed showrunners discuss how their friendship fuels creativity, their commitment to uplifting the next generation of Latinx storytellers, and the impact of authentic representation in Hollywood.Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This was recorded in 2020. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Mentions: +Deadline, The Black List, Latin Tracking Board, NALIP, And Untitled Latinx Project Unveil Latinx TV List: https://deadline.com/2020/06/the-black-list-latin-tracking-board-nalip-remezcla-untitled-latinx-project-unveil-inaugural-latinx-tv-list-diversity-inclusion-representation-1202972696/ +One Day at a Time: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/one_day_at_a_time +Hollywood Reporter, ‘One Day at a Time,' ‘Star Trek' Sub for Returning Originals on CBS Fall Schedule: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/one-day-at-a-time-star-trek-sub-for-returning-originals-on-cbs-fall-schedule +Vida: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/vida +Variety, ‘Vida' Creator Tanya Saracho Signs Overall Deal With UCP: https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/vida-tanya-saracho-overall-deal-ucp-1234740022/ 

[Listen again]. Filmmaker Alice Wu joins Franklin and Kate to discuss her journey back into Hollywood as a queer Asian-American storyteller. She shares how Chinese-language films shaped her love of cinema, her time away from the industry, and the creative process behind The Half of It—a fresh take on the teen romantic triangle movie. From Saving Face, which was a huge hit at Sundance, to The Half of It landing on the Black List, Alice's path is as inspiring as her films. Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This episode was originally published in 2020. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com. Mentions:+Saving Face: www.rottentomatoes.com/m/saving_face +The Half of It: www.netflix.com/title/81005150

Gremlins, Goonies, Home Alone, Mrs. Doubtfire—iconic films that few of us haven't seen. But how did they come to be? In this episode, Kate sits down with legendary filmmaker Chris Columbus to explore his journey from aspiring screenwriter to Hollywood heavyweight. Columbus shares how his college screenplay sold for just $5K, the professor who told him success was 50% talent, 50% luck, and the serendipitous moment when Steven Spielberg discovered his Gremlins script. Plus, behind-the-scenes stories from Home Alone, Mrs. Doubtfire, and collaborating with Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell on The Christmas Chronicles 2.This conversation took place in, and was originally published, in 2020. Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.

Jay Ellis (Top Gun: Maverick, Insecure) joins Kate and Franklin for their signature movie survey, diving into the films that shaped him—from Spaceballs (his surprising answer for what made him fall in love with movies) to He Got Game and White Men Can't Jump. They also talk about his experience starring in Top Gun: Maverick, how fatherhood has changed his perspective, his Insecure directorial debut, and more. Plus, a deep dive into basketball movies and '90s sports film nostalgia.

Franklin and Kate sat down with comedy legend Ed Helms to explore his journey from Saturday Night Live-fueled interest in high school, to performing with the Upright Citizens Brigade as a young adult to making waves on The Daily Show during the George W. Bush era. They discuss how those experiences shaped his perspective on political comedy today, dive into his roles in blockbuster hits like Vacation and The Hangover trilogy, and chat about his Netflix project, Coffee & Kareem. Plus, don't miss the surprising twist: Ed Helms isn't just a comedic genius—he's also a talented bluegrass musician.Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This conversation was recoreded in 2020. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com. Mentions:+Coffee & Kareem: https://www.netflix.com/title/80220009 +Upright Citizens Brigade: https://ucbcomedy.com +The Daily Show: http://www.cc.com/shows/the-daily-show-with-trevor-noah.

In honor of her electric performance of a Michael Jackson cover--to honor the late great Quincy Jones, at this year's Grammys ceremony, we're bringing back her conversation with Franklin and Kate from a few years ago. The trio talk about how her music has informed her film career, her childhood memories of Steel Magnolias, seeing herself onscreen in Sister Act 2, and so much more.Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This encore episode's conversation took place in 2020. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com. Mentions:+Homecoming: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B085SVBCBP/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r +Steel Magnolias: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/steel_magnolias  +Sister Act 2: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sister_act_2_back_in_the_habit 

Be Water filmmaker Bao Nguyen joins Kate and Franklin to talk about bringing Bruce Lee to a new generation, his Saturday Night Live documentary, depictions of the Vietnam War on screen, and a lot more deep cut film talk.Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This conversation originally took place in 2020. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Mentions: +Be Water: espn.com/mma/story/_/id/29249053/be-water-how-watch-stream-espn-bruce-lee-documentary +Live From New York!: rottentomatoes.com/m/live_from_new_york

Film historian and cultural commentator Karina Longworth joins Franklin and Kate to talk about her love for Judy Garland, the imaginative world of Film social media, and her iconic podcast, You Must Remember This, and more. In honor of the season premiere of YMRT (the 21st season!), we bring back this excellent interview. Meanwhile, we send out our thoughts to the entire community of greater Los Angeles during this catastrophic wildfire event.Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This conversation took place 2020. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Mentions: +You Must Remember This: http://youmustrememberthispodcast.com

What do the NBA, the Chicago Bulls, and Michael Jordan all have in common? Iconic storytelling, brought to life by Jason Hehir, the director of The Last Dance—a documentary miniseries that became a cultural phenomenon during the early months of the Covid lockdown. In this conversation, Franklin and Kate dive deep with Jason to uncover how he got Michael Jordan to finally open up, the parallels between hip-hop and the NBA's meteoric rise to global fame, and the art of humanizing larger-than-life sports legends. They also discuss Jason's unique approach to portraying mythic figures, handling critique from none other than Ken Burns, and the challenge of crafting a hit documentary while the world is already watching your hit documentary.Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This conversation took place in 2020. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Mentions: +The Last Dance, http://www.netflix.com/gb/title/80203144+ESPN: The Last Dance, https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28973557/the-last-dance-untold-story-michael-jordan-chicago-bulls

Her film Nightbitch arrives on Hulu this week; revisit a captivating interview with director and actor Marielle Heller. Too often seen as understated and underappreciated, Heller is undeniably a filmmaking powerhouse. In this conversation, she reflects on her theater roots, the challenges of navigating gender dynamics in the industry, and the experience of directing Tom Hanks in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. Known for eliciting memorable performances from actors like Amy Adams (Nightbitch) and Melissa McCarthy (Will You Ever Forgive Me?), as well as Hanks, Heller sees herself as the "authenticity police," to make sure every moment feels true. Clearly, it's working. Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This conversation took place in 2020. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.More Info:+Nightbitch: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/nightbitch+Diary of a Teenage Girl: http://rottentomatoes.com/m/the_diary_of_a_teenage_girl+Can You Ever Forgive Me?: http://rottentomatoes.com/m/can_you_ever_forgive_me+A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: http://rottentomatoes.com/m/a_beautiful_day_in_the_neighborhood+The Queen's Gambit (Actor): https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_queens_gambit

You may know him as Jean-Ralphio from Parks and Rec, or the voice of Sonic the Hedgehog. Friend of The Black List family, Ben Schwartz, joins Kate and Franklin for an insanely funny conversation about his improv adventure on Middleditch and Schwartz, bringing Dewey to life in the DuckTales reboot, his Netflix series, Space Force, and so much more. Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst. This episode was originally released in 2020. In honor of the release of Sonic 3, listen back to a fun conversation with a talented guy. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Mentions: +Middleditch and Schwartz: http://www.netflix.com/title/81122572+DuckTales: http://rottentomatoes.com/tv/ducktales+Space Force: http://netflix.com/title/81021929

[Encore] Writer and director of The Farewell, Lulu Wang, joins Kate and Franklin to talk about navigating the indie film marketplace, drawing inspiration from her classical piano training, streaming vs. theatrical distribution, and so much more.Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This episode originally aired in 2020, behind a paywall. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Mentions:+The Farewell: rottentomatoes.com/m/the_farewell_2018Also:+'Moonlight' Director Barry Jenkins Marries 'The Farewell' Filmmaker Lulu Wanghttps://ew.com/moonlight-director-barry-jenkins-marries-the-farewell-filmmaker-lulu-wang-8760124

British screenwriter and playwright Jack Thorne (His Dark Materials, Wonder, Enola Holmes, Crip Tales) has created adaptations of extraordinarily beloved characters and works. He.talks to Franklin Leonard and Kate Hagen about the art and responsibility of storytelling--from adapting Harry Potter and The Cursed Child for the stage, to his perspective on collaboration and authorship. Thorne thinks in terms of empowering key storytellers--aware of how much a face tells the story and how much actors need to be celebrated as authors. Thorne is also a big advocate for fuller disability narratives on screen. Trying to get the industry to take disability seriously remains very hard--a point he and Franklin explore from two different seats about a specific film.Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This conversation took place in 2020. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Mentions: His Dark Materials: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/his_dark_materials Enola Homes: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/enola_holmes Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: https://www.harrypottertheplay.com/uk/#  CripTales: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/criptales/s01 Jack Thorne's Adaptation of A Christmas Carol Will Stream Live From The Old Vic: https://www.playbill.com/article/jack-thornes-adaptation-of-a-christmas-carol-will-stream-live-from-the-old-vic 

Remember the Oscars best picture flub? Jordan Horowitz is the guy who stopped that train before it wrecked. In this episode, he and his producing-directing. partner (and life partner) Julia Hart tell the story of that wild night when their film La La Land was announced as the winner, but wasn't. They also describe bringing Black women superheroes to life in Fast Color, working together as a couple, and so much more.Originally released for subscribers only in 2020. Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst. To learn more about The Black List, visit ​www.blcklst.com​. Mentions:+La La Land x Oscars mixup: https://www.forbes.com/sites/natalierobehmed/2017/02/27/the-full-story-behind-the-la-la-land-an d-moonlight-oscars-mix-up/#419bc6d42298+Fast Color: https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-front-row/fast-color-reviewed-a-superhero-movie-that-pa ys-close-attention-to-ordinary-life+Miss Stevens: ​https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/miss_stevens+The Keeping Room: https://www.fastcompany.com/3051556/the-keeping-room-star-brit-marling-and-writer-julia-hart- on-making-a-feminist-western+Stargirl: ​https://ew.com/movies/stargirl-director-julia-hart-disney-plus/ 

Insecure showrunner Prentice Penny joins Kate and Franklin to talk about his movie-loving roots, his project Brooklyn Nine-Nine, working with Issa Rae, being inspired by Spike Lee, cutting his teeth on television. Plus: the origin story and goals that led him to write and direct the film Uncorked, which presented a different type of father-son relationship.This conversation took place in 2020. Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com. Mentions:+Uncorked review and trailer, in Food and Wine magazine: https://www.foodandwine.com/news/netflix-uncorked-trailer-release +Insecure: on HBO: https://www.hbo.com/insecure

The premiere episode of The Black List, reprised! Franklin and Kate kicked off The Black List Podcast with filmmaker and actor Paul Feig (@paulfeig) to discuss the 20th anniversary of Freaks and Geeks, his very first film; They went deep on what makes a great comedy, and about the female characters he loved and creates--and so much more. A classic episode from 2020. Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com. 

[Replay] Franklin and Kate welcome Tony-nominated, Grammy-winning actor Andrew Rannells, who shares the journey from his early days in Omaha's children's theater scene to the Broadway spotlight in shows like The Book of Mormon. This episode is packed with entertaining behind-the-scenes stories, from collaborating with Lena Dunham on Girls to starring alongside Meryl Streep in Netflix's The Prom—with a humorous “Best Humblebrag” nod from Franklin! Andrew reveals a movie sequel (including one that others unfairly critique but he stands by as a fave), plus the films that capture his ideas of love and war. Hear the unexpected joy he found while working on The Boys in the Band, and so much more.Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This conversation took place in late 2020. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Mentions: The Prom: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_prom_2020 The Book of Mormon: https://bookofmormonbroadway.com/press Black Monday: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/black_monday The Boys in the Band: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_boys_in_the_band 

In this episode, screenwriter and 2016 Black List honoree Liz Hannah shares the story behind her acclaimed debut film, The Post. Liz reveals how reading TheWashington Post Publisher Katherine Graham's memoir years prior sparked the inspiration for the screenplay—and how, from the start, she imagined the iconic role of Graham being played by none other than Meryl Streep. Hosts Franklin and Kate dive into Liz's creative process, discussing her approach to writing across genres, exploring the nuanced "gray area of mental health" on screen, her work on the rom-com Long Shot, and much more. Liz's recent work on the Kate Winslet-led film Lee is a great reason to listen back to this excellent 2020 conversation.Originally published in 2020. Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com. Mentions:+The Post: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_post+Long Shot: https://www.lionsgate.com/movies/long-shot+Mindhunter: https://www.netflix.com/title/80114855+All the Bright Places: https://www.netflix.com/title/80208802

[REPRISE] From science major to punk rock band member to comedy writer, he is now the co-creator of multiple popular television shows, a producer, screenwriter, and film director. Alan Yang joins the show to talk about his creative journey to Parks and Recreation (an experience he cherishes for the incredible education it gave him) and beyond. He also dives deep on his developing a character-based approach to comedy, directing his film Tigertail, and some of his creative influences. Plus: the reason he thanked white guys in an awards speech.This conversation took place in 2020. Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com. Mentions:+Tigertail: https://www.netflix.com/title/80202958+Little America: https://deadline.com/2018/06/apple-little-america-immigrant-anthology-series-the-big-sick-writers-lee-eisenberg-alan-yang-1202413632/+Master of None: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/master_of_none/s01+Parks and Recreation: https://www.nbc.com/parks-and-recreation

[Encore episode] Russian Doll co-creator Leslye Headland joins Kate and Franklin for a wide, thoughtful take on all the things that excite her about movies and storytelling (Headland is also a playwright). She reflects on the origins of her love of film, including the many things her parents let her stay up to watch, or actors and movies they introduced her to. On the Kubrick film that inspired her to become a filmaker, she says: "I watched it almost every day. I just couldn't get enough of it. ...And I just thought, somehow I'm going to do this. Somehow I'm going to make this happen for myself. I don't know how but I'm going to do it." Plus: what it was like writing for the quirky FX drama Terriers, challenging the overwhelming white maleness of the cinematic canon (think: The Graduate, Taxi Driver) and so much more. Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com. This episode was originally published behind a paywall in 2020.Mentions:+Russian Doll: https://www.netflix.com/title/80211627  +The Shining: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/shining  +Terriers: https://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/terriers

With what feels like a very Bowen Yang autumn, we revisit this great convo he had with Franklin and Kate. Among the topics: early comedic discoveries, including SNL and a movie that made him fall in love with the medium. Plus: his Canadian upbringing, his academic vs. extracurriculars at NYU, the real world consequences of political comedy, and so much more. And if you didn't catch his profile in the Sept 23rd issue of the New Yorker, check it out. (https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/09/23/bowen-yang-profile-comedy)Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This conversation is from late 2020. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Mentions: + Las Culturistas podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lasculturistas/?hl=en+Saturday Night Live: https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live +Mean Girls: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mean_girls 

[Encore] Academy Award winner Akiva Goldsman (A Beautiful Mind, I, Robot, The Da Vinci Code screenplay, multiple Star Trek and Batman scripts, and more) joins Franklin and Kate to talk about his beginnings in Brooklyn, how his early family life influenced his writing career, and his memories of Joel Schumacher on the late 90s Batman films. Plus, the writing teachers he studied with at NYU (including Russell Banks, Margaret Atwood, E.L. Doctorow) and much more.Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This conversation took place in 2021. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Mentions: +A Beautiful Mind: http://rottentomatoes.com/m/beautiful_mind+Mr. and Mrs. Smith: http://rottentomatoes.com/m/mr_and_mrs_smith+Batman & Robin: http://rottentomatoes.com/m/1077027_batman_and_robin

[Encore] Roxane Gay, NYT bestselling author and columnist, talks to Franklin and Kate about her time writing Marvel comic books, representations of fat characters in media, her love for the Fast and Furious franchise, and so much more. Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This conversation took place in 2020. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com. Mentions:+Roxane Gay on writing for Marvel: https://time.com/4866569/roxane-gay-marvel-lumberjanes/

[Encore] There's one guarantee about having, or listening to, a conversation with Seth Rogen. Laughter will ensue. This episode is no exception. Among the topics he covers with Franklin and Kate: the legacy of Freaks and Geeks, his writing process with longtime collaborator Evan Goldberg, and becoming one of Hollywood's leading men. He also shares more about his advocacy for cannabis and Alzheimer's prevention, and his very cool pottery making.  Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This conversation took place in 2020. To llearn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Mentions: Freaks and Geeks: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/freaks_and_geeks Houseplant: https://www.houseplant.com Hilarity for Charity: https://wearehfc.org 

Welcome to the ultimate cinephile's salon, where our co-hosts and two dear friends talk movies of all stripes, paired with some rich personal stories. Open up your "to watch" list and settle in. Franklin and Kate are joined by fellow film lovers Lauren Brown and Boris Khentov. The crew reflects on the films that grounded their childhoods, helped them grieve, and brought great joy to their lives during the first year of the pandemic (This conversation took place in 2020). Thank you for joining us this season! To stay connected with us and learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.

This week, writer and director Lee Isaac Chung joins Kate and Franklin to talk about the trip to Rwanda that changed his filmmaking trajectory, his deep admiration for Charlie Chaplin and Wong Kar-wai, the making of his film and 2020 Sundance festival winner, Minari, and so much more. Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This conversation took place in 2020. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Mentions: Minari: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/minari 

Kate sits down with the legendary filmmaker Chris Columbus to talk about his beginnings as a screenwriter, directing beloved family films like Home Alone and Mrs. Doubtfire, collaborating with Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell in The Christmas Chronicles 2, and more behind-the-scenes stories.  Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This conversation first took place in 2020. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.

This week, Tony-nominated actor Andrew Rannells joins Franklin and Kate to talk about his beginnings in children's theatre in Nebraska, Broadway and The Book of Mormon, working alongside Meryl Streep in the forthcoming Netflix film, The Prom, and so much more.Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.

This week, two-time Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Kirby Dick joins Kate and Franklin to talk why he “doesn't love movies,” how he thinks about the concept of truth, the #MeToo movement and his documentary, On The Record (co-directed by Amy Ziering, HBO Max), and so much more. Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This conversation took place in 2021. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.

British screenwriter and playwright Jack Thorne joins Kate and Franklin to talk about bringing Harry Potter and The Cursed Child to the stage, his advocacy for fuller disability narratives on screen, season two of His Dark Materials, and so much more. Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This conversation took place in 2020. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Mentions: His Dark Materials: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/his_dark_materials Enola Homes: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/enola_holmes Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: https://www.harrypottertheplay.com/uk/#  CripTales: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/criptales/s01 Jack Thorne's Adaptation of A Christmas Carol Will Stream Live From The Old Vic: https://www.playbill.com/article/jack-thornes-adaptation-of-a-christmas-carol-will-stream-live-from-the-old-vic 

As much watching, reading and listening time as we all had during the first year of the pandemic, you probably missed something great. Rewind your mind and pick up some gems from the pros. Franklin and Kate talk to each other about the things they loved in 2020. From Animal Crossing and Sarah Cooper's comedy special, to Ted Lasso and Michaela Coel's I May Destroy You, you'll have some new gems to add to your ongoing list. See the show notes for more details! Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This conversation took place in late 2020. Learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Mentions: Animal Crossing: https://animal-crossing.com 40-Year-Old Version: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_forty_year_old_versionInside Out by Demi Moore: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/inside-out-demi-moore?variant=32131129442338 It by Stephen King: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/830502.It Caste by Isabel Wilkerson: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/653196/caste-oprahs-book-club-by-isabel-wilkerson/ Sarah Cooper: https://sarahcpr.com Ted Lasso: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/ted_lasso I May Destroy You: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/i_may_destroy_you You Must Remember This Podcast: http://www.youmustrememberthispodcast.comKarina Longworth on The Black List Podcast: https://luminarypodcasts.com/listen/ninth-planet-audio-&-the-black-list/the-black-list-podcast/karina-longworth/ccc9d152-7947-48dc-bab8-871300e0c72a 

This one's very special and very spooky. Kate talks to Barbara Crampton, BJ Colangelo, and Gigi Saul Gurerro about their lives in the horror community, what they're working on, what types of stories they'd like to see told about women in horror, and so much more.Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This conversation from 2020 is still a banger. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Mentions: Barbara Crampton: https://twitter.com/barbaracrampton BJ Colangelo: https://twitter.com/bjcolangelo Gigi Saul Gurerro: https://twitter.com/HorrorGuerrero 

Friend of The Black List director Radha Blank joins Kate and Franklin to talk about her Sundance award-winning feature, The 40-Year-Old Version (Netflix), the leap from playwriting and rapping into filmmaking, growing up in an intentional arts community, and so much more.Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This conversation took place in 2021. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Mentions: The 40-Year-Old Version: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_forty_year_old_version 

Comedy actor-writer--and ceramics designer (who knew?) Seth Rogen talks about the legacy of Freaks and Geeks, his writing process with longtime collaborator Evan Goldberg, becoming one of Hollywood's leading men, his advocacy for cannabis and Alzheimer's prevention, and so much more. Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This conversation took place in 2020. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Mentions: Freaks and Geeks: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/freaks_and_geeks Houseplant: https://www.houseplant.com Hilarity for Charity: https://wearehfc.org 

The Bronx is in the building! This week, Franklin and Kate talk to Showtime's late-night hosts Desus Nice and The Kid Mero about their favorite films, the power of the Bodega Hive, their process as co-writers (shout out to Google Docs!) of their book, God-Level Knowledge Darts: Life Lessons from the Bronx, and so much more. Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst. This conversation was recorded in 2020. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Mentions: +DESUS & MERO (Showtime): https://www.sho.com/desus-and-mero +God-Level Knowledge Darts: Life Lessons from the Bronx, https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/588771/god-level-knowledge-darts-by-desus-and-mero/ 

As Saturday Night Live kicked off a new season, writer and comedian Bowen Yang joined Kate and Franklin to talk about his Canadian upbringing, why Mean Girls made him fall in love with filmmaking, the real world consequences of political comedy, and so much more.Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This conversation took place in 2021. Learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Mentions: +Saturday Night Live: https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live +Mean Girls: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mean_girls 

The Black List partnered with Hulu to launch the inaugural Latinx List. Around the time it happened, it only made sense that Franklin and Kate talk to two of the initiative's chief architects: Gloria Calderón Kellett (One Day at a Time) and Tanya Saracho (Vida). The showrunners talk about how their friendship nurtures creativity, cultivating the next generation of Latinx talent, and so much more.Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This conversation is from 2021. Kearn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Mentions: +Deadline, The Black List, Latin Tracking Board, NALIP, And Untitled Latinx Project Unveil Latinx TV List: https://deadline.com/2020/06/the-black-list-latin-tracking-board-nalip-remezcla-untitled-latinx-project-unveil-inaugural-latinx-tv-list-diversity-inclusion-representation-1202972696/ +One Day at a Time: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/one_day_at_a_time +Hollywood Reporter, ‘One Day at a Time,' ‘Star Trek' Sub for Returning Originals on CBS Fall Schedule: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/one-day-at-a-time-star-trek-sub-for-returning-originals-on-cbs-fall-schedule +Vida: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/vida +Variety, ‘Vida' Creator Tanya Saracho Signs Overall Deal With UCP: https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/vida-tanya-saracho-overall-deal-ucp-1234740022/ 

Ahead of the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards, Kate and Franklin talk to nominees Billy Porter, Robin Thede and Ramy Youssef. The creators sound off on bringing their full selves to the screen, the true responsibility of the artist, the advice they'd give to their younger selves (or as Billy says: “a b*tch has to have boundaries!”), and so much more. Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This conversation took place in To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Mentions: +Pose: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/pose +A Black Lady Sketch Show: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/a_black_lady_sketch_show +Ramy: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/ramy 

This week, award-winning journalist Soledad O'Brien joins Franklin for a conversation about growing up Black, her approach to documentary filmmaking, the state of journalism in the Trump era, and so much more. (And guess what? Soledad is the host of another Luminary original, Murder on the Towpath.) Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Mentions:+New York Times, Soledad O'Brien: A Me Too Movement for Journalists of Color, www.nytimes.com/2020/07/04/opinion/soledad-obrien-racism-journalism.html+Black in America: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/in.america/black.in.america/+Latino in America: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2009/latino.in.america/  

This week, screenwriter Steven Canals joins Kate and Franklin to talk about growing up in the Bronx, the glory of Cardi B, the origins of how his Emmy-nominated show Pose on FX came to be picked up, and so much more.Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This conversation took place in 2021.To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Mentions: +Pose: fxnetworks.com/shows/pose+Paris is Burning: rottentomatoes.com/m/paris_is_burning+The Color Purple: rottentomatoes.com/m/color_purple+Terminator: rottentomatoes.com/m/terminator