German-American television director, writer, producer and comedian (1931-2014)
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Pride Month keeps the celebration moving on We Drink & We Watch Things as we transition from the quiet, burning embers of 18th-century France to the bright, neon-soaked drag capital of South Beach. For our "G" selection in the lineup, we are throwing it back to 1996 for Mike Nichols and Elaine May's sublime masterclass in comedic farce: The Birdcage. Mix yourself something wonderfully refreshing - perhaps Lemar's "Straight" Bourbon - and get ready for a family dinner where absolutely nothing goes according to plan.This week, we celebrate the legendary chemistry between Robin Williams and Nathan Lane, looking at how Williams plays the perfect, anchored straight man (pun intended) to Lane's fiercely dramatic, Barbara Bush-redefining Albert. We bask in the glorious, scene-stealing supporting work of Hank Azaria as the perpetually barefoot Agador Spartacus and Gene Hackman as the ultra-conservative Senator Keeley, who unwittingly ends up in the drag escape of a lifetime. We also break down the film's incredible heart, discussing how beneath the chaotic Martha Graham choreography, the "eco-friendly" naked-boy pottery, and the frantic attempts to pass as straight, it is a deeply moving portrait of unconditional love and a radical defense of queer families.If you can instantly recite the difference between a John Wayne walk and a regular walk, or if you just want to hear us gush about the comedic genius of an Elaine May screenplay, this episode is pure joy. We're blending our adoration for this comfort-movie masterpiece with our usual casual banter, proving that when the world gets crazy, sometimes you just have to give 'em a little bit of Fosse, Fosse, Fosse!This episode VIDEO is live on YouTube AND Spotify!Follow us on Instagram to get ep sneak peaks and find out what's coming up. DM us what you want to hear about next!Interested in what we're watching off the pod? Check out Mackenzie or Lemar's Letterboxd!
In this episode of the Mike Nichols Marathon we are taking a look at one of the last major works Nichols left behind, his made-for-HBO adaptation of Tony Kushner's eponymous play Angels in America. Over the course of our conversation about this dense piece of filmmaking you will hear us talk about the genesis of this miniseries as a two-parter that Robert Altman was supposed to direct at one point, the AIDS crisis presented through the lens of magical realism and how this was both a return to a comfort zone for Mike Nichols and his attempt at leaving a mark on the world. We also talk about Emma Thompson's over-the-top performance as an angel, the many soliloquys Angels in America is brimming with, Al Pacino's turn as Roy Cohn and much more!Tune in and enjoy!Subscribe to our patreon at patreon.com/uncutgemspod (3$/month) and support us by gaining access to ALL of our exclusive podcasts, such as bonus tie-ins, themed retrospectives and director marathons!Hosts: Jakub Flasz & Randy BurrowsHead over to our website to find out more! (uncutgemspodcast.com)Follow us on Twitter (@UncutGemsPod) and IG (@UncutGemsPod)Buy us a coffee over at Ko-Fi.com (ko-fi.com/uncutgemspod)Subscribe to our Patreon (patreon.com/uncutgemspod)
On the Season 11 premiere, of Paid in Puke Podcast, we're checking out Mike Nichols' 1990 dramedy, Postcards From the Edge, written by Carrie Fisher, based off her memoir of the same name. It stars Meryl Streep as Fisher's meta proxy, and Shirley MacLaine as her mother, (a thinly veiled stand-in for Debbie Reynolds). This film was a smash upon release, but has fallen off the radar over the years, despite the A-list cast (many of whom were already famous) and the legendary director. We discuss the uniquely Hollywood problem of being a moderately successful actor when your mother is a showbiz legend, and how hard it must be to grasp reality when your day job is based in artifice, and how sometimes moms can be like that even when they aren't Hollywood icons. On the Lunchtime Poll, we reveal what songs we would sing at a coerced post-rehab surprise party.
Don't Kill the Messenger with movie research expert Kevin Goetz
Send Kevin a Text MessageMark Canton, producer of 300, Immortals, Men in Black, Air Force One, and My Best Friend's Wedding, former President of Worldwide Production at Warner Bros., and former Chairman of Columbia Pictures and Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Companies, joins host Kevin Goetz for a conversation about a career defined by passion and instinct. From delivering mail on the Warner Bros. lot as a college student to greenlighting some of Hollywood's most beloved films, Canton reflects on the legends he learned from, the risks he took, and why he still smells the circus every time he walks onto a sound stage.Queens, New York, and Family (02:34): Canton traces his love of film to a father who survived being shot down over France in WWII, won an Oscar for a short film on Van Gogh, and went on to do publicity for Hitchcock and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and to a mother who was a published poet. The movies, he says, were always destiny.Learning from the Greats on Papillon (15:22): Working for director Franklin Schaffner in Jamaica and living between the houses of Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman, Canton learned what it meant to commit to a film.From the Warner Bros. Mail Room to Running the Studio (20:31): Canton traces his rise from UCLA film student to head of Worldwide Production at Warner Bros., sharing stories about the Vacation franchise, Caddyshack, and Lethal Weapon.Taking the Helm at Columbia Pictures (39:22): Recruited by Peter Guber and Jon Peters, Canton became Chairman of Columbia Pictures and later oversaw Columbia TriStar. He reflects on the team he assembled and the record-breaking run that followed, including Jerry Maguire, My Best Friend's Wedding, Bad Boys, and Air Force One.The Art of the Difficult Screening (47:51): Canton recounts two defining test screening moments: a chaotic preview of Scorsese's The Age of Innocence in a New Jersey bowling alley, and a tough audience response to Luc Besson's Léon: The Professional that led to an ultimatum and a reworked film that became a modern classic.The Cable Guy and No Regrets (50:43): Canton defends paying Jim Carrey $17 million and notes what history confirmed: the film launched Ben Stiller's directing career, introduced Jack Black, Owen Wilson, and Judd Apatow. He also recalls his affectionate standoff with Mike Nichols over the ending of Wolf.What Keeps Audiences Coming Back (54:50): Canton argues that what fills theaters today is the same thing that made Purple Rain a phenomenon: the feeling of a live, communal, irreplaceable experience.Host: Kevin GoetzGuest: Mark CantonProducer: Kari CampanoWriters: Kevin Goetz, Darlene Hayman, and Kari CampanoAudio Engineer: Gary Forbes (DG Entertainment)For more information about Mark Canton:Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_CantonIMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004799/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markcanton/?hl=enFor more information about Kevin Goetz:- Website: www.KevinGoetz360.com- Audienceology Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Audience-ology/Kevin-Goetz/9781982186678- How to Score in Hollywood: https://www.amazon.com/How-Score-Hollywood-Secrets-Business/dp/198218986X/- Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Substack: @KevinGoetz360- LinkedIn @Kevin Goetz- Screen Engine/ASI Website: www.ScreenEngineASI.com
Writer, Michael Elias, talks about growing up in the Catskills, where you had to make your money in the summer to survive the winter, and how that created a lot of tension. He also talks about taking acting classes, dealing with being an actor, and how acting helped him build scenes and characters. He talks about working for Glen Campbell without realizing how talented he was. He discusses his book Benders, L.A. and talks about going to Plato's Retreat and not scoring. He talks about Steve Martin and how The Frisco Kid was not what he originally thought it would be. It was originally supposed to be directed by Mike Nichols and star John Wayne. Carl Reiner may have made The Jerk better. Garry Marshall made Young Doctors in Love better, but some movies simply don't turn out the way you want them to. Michael wants people to know that Jews were all over the West and that minorities helped build this country. He says there was always a hangout somewhere. Mel Brooks was an egalitarian. Michael talks about having many writing partners, including Arnie Kogen, Rich Eustis, and Frank Shaw. He talks about getting kicked off The Ed Sullivan Show, writing for The Tonight Show, and learning from Neil Simon and Ed Weinberger. He wishes he could tell his mother what's going on in his life now and imagines writing letters to her today. He also talks about giving yourself permission to stop reading books halfway through. He remembers me playing with the microphone at my bar mitzvah. He talks about paying rent at forty-two dollars a month while working as a substitute teacher. His father, a doctor, never really understood what he did until he saw the pilot of Head of the Class. Howard Hesseman had demands even though he was about to be fired. Bio: Michael Elias grew up in the Catskill Mountains, a Red Diaper Borscht Belt Baby in a world of artists, intellectuals, tumlers, folk singers, boxers, and Jewish gangsters, some of whom sleep at the bottom of Loch Sheldrake. His childhood heroes were Jerry Lewis, Harry Belafonte, Rocky Marciano, and Abe ‘Kid Twist' Reles. Educated in the classics at St. John's College, Elias took his knowledge of ancient Greek and philosophy to New York, trained at the Actors Studio, acted in The Living Theatre, La MaMa and the Judson Poets Theatre. From there Elias and Frank Shaw dove into the world of stand-up comedy, playing coffee shops, night clubs, with five stints on The Tonight Show. Fired from Ed Sullivan they abandoned the act and came to Hollywood where he and Shaw wrote sit-coms, variety shows, and The Frisco Kid. After parting ways, Elias participated in the anti-Vietnam War movement, earned a subpoena from a Nixon grand jury, and teamed up with Rich Eustis and created Head of the Class. Elias continues to write novels and screenplays in Los Angeles, where he lives with his wife Bianca Roberts and their dachshund Mabel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Listen to the talented playwright Beth Kander as she talks about her new script that will be premiered at the Contempory American Theater Festival starting on July 10th--The Best Line Wins: A Play Inspired by the Improvised Lives of Elaine May and Mike Nichols. Get your tickets today!
In this episode of our ongoing Mike Nichols Marathon we are talking about the 2001 made-for-HBO movie titled Wit. Over the course of our conversation you will hear us talk about the circumstances that led to Mike Nichols moving to the small screen, how HBO spearheaded the shift in appreciation of made-for-TV productions and how a one-woman stage production was transcribe to the screen with the help of Emma Thompson who also starred in the movie. We also discuss the intricate design of the story that moves between different frames of discussion about life and death, Mike Nichols's desire to confront his own mortality and much more. We also spend a little time arguing whether Wit carries a deeper reading that both the filmmaker and the critics failed to find or if one of us is looking for patterns where there aren't any to be found. Tune in and enjoy!Subscribe to our patreon at patreon.com/uncutgemspod (3$/month) and support us by gaining access to ALL of our exclusive podcasts, such as bonus tie-ins, themed retrospectives and director marathons!Hosts: Jakub Flasz & Randy BurrowsHead over to our website to find out more! (uncutgemspodcast.com)Follow us on Twitter (@UncutGemsPod) and IG (@UncutGemsPod)Buy us a coffee over at Ko-Fi.com (ko-fi.com/uncutgemspod)Subscribe to our Patreon (patreon.com/uncutgemspod)
Guests Include: Attorney Mike Pugliese, State Rep Amanda Nedweski, Wisconsin GOP State Chair Brian Schimming, Badger Institute's Mike Nichols,, Dr. Duke Show's Duke Pesta WILL's Dan Lennington
Elizabeth Taylor's Passion for Men (1989) + Postcards from the Edge (1987), Wishful Drinking (2008), Shockaholic (2011), and The Princess Diarist (2016) by Carrie Fisher + Steve Rash's Under the Rainbow (1980) + John Landis' The Blues Brothers (1980) + Penelope Spheeris' Hollywood Vice Squad (1986) + Mike Nichols' Postcards from the Edge (1990) + Michael Hoffman's Soapdish (1991) + Alexis Bloom and Fisher Stevens' Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds (2016) with Steven Settefratti 4/23/26 S8E27 To hear this episode and the complete continuing story of The Perfume Nationalist please subscribe on Patreon.
Working Girl, directed by Mike Nichols, stars Harrison Ford, Melanie Griffith, Sigourney Weaver, with Alec Baldwin and Joan Cusack. Tess, played by Melanie Griffith, ascends the corporate ladder using her book smarts and street smarts, and by pretending to be somebody she's not. Tess strives to do big things, and has plenty of good ideas to get her foot in the door until she's caught, accused of being an imposter. With Sigourney Weaver as her boss Katharine, and Harrison Ford as Jack Trainer the love interest, the movie has plenty of laughs, and lessons too. Professor Karen Cheng joins the show to talk about what makes Working Girls such a fun, rewatchable movie.-Professor Karen Cheng is the author of Designing Type, a comprehensive, systematic guide to the design of letters, published by Yale University Press. Since its initial publication in 2006, Designing Type has been translated into German, Spanish, French, Ukrainian, Chinese, Japanese and Korean, and it has been ranked #14 on a list of "Top 50 Typography Books of the Last 50 Years" in the journal Visible Language. As a researcher, Cheng has investigated how scientists can collaborate with designers to aid public and interdisciplinary communication. She is co-author of the widely referenced "A Brief Guide to Designing Effective Figures for the Scientific Paper" and has published on the positive impact of visual design on scientific communication and the role of visual design critiques in research practice, in the Information Design Journal. Cheng holds a Master's Degree in Design from the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning and an Honors Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Penn State. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Washington in 1997, she worked in Brand Management at Procter & Gamble.https://art.washington.edu/people/karen-chenghttps://vimeo.com/52861172Designing Typehttps://amzn.to/4dZeNYvType Directors Club book discussionhttps://youtu.be/uEMtKyn1aGA"A Brief Guide to Designing Effective Figures for the Scientific Paper"https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/adma.201102518Positive Impact of Visual Design on Scientific Communicationhttps://www.jbe-platform.com/content/journals/10.1075/idj.23.1.09cheThe Role of Visual Design Critiques in Research Practicehttps://www.jbe-platform.com/content/journals/10.1075/idj.22008.sem-Working Girl (1988)https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096463/https://www.instagram.com/p/DTlPpI8knqNhttps://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/08/working-girl-remake-selena-gomez-Other movies and shows discussed:Anchroman 2 (2013)Freaky Friday (1976, 2003)The Intern (2015)Murderbot (2025)Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989)Shrinking (2023-)Ted Lasso (2020-)Trading Places (1983)
Today, I'm thrilled to announce my interview with three-time Tony nominee Linda Emond, who is currently starring in BECKY SHAW. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including her winding road to her Broadway debut in 1776, working with Mike Nichols and Philip Seymour Hoffman on DEATH OF A SALESMAN, why she initially said no to CABARET, having a role written for her in IHO, performing Tony Kushner's monologue HOMEBODY, workshopping THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING, co-starring with Brent Spiner in LIFE X 3, developing the musical OVER AND OVER, reviving A BRIGHT ROOM CALLED DAY, what draws her to a project, and so much more. Don't miss this candid conversation with one of Broadway's best.
In this episode of our ongoing Mike Nichols Marathon we are entering the 21st century with his sex comedy What Planet Are You From? Over the course of our conversation you will hear us talk at length about the many ways in which the production of this movie turned into a disaster, look behind the curtain to see what possibly drove Nichols to sign on to direct it and how it was unsalvageable for many reasons, the most important of which was the animosity between Nichols and the film's star and screenwriter Garry Shandling. We also talk about the film's crisis of identity as it wobbles between a sex comedy and a relationship satire but neither of these two directions show any edge or teeth, how this film looked mild and tame in the landscape of its comedic competition and much more!Tune in and enjoy!Subscribe to our patreon at patreon.com/uncutgemspod (3$/month) and support us by gaining access to ALL of our exclusive podcasts, such as bonus tie-ins, themed retrospectives and director marathons!Hosts: Jakub Flasz & Randy BurrowsHead over to our website to find out more! (uncutgemspodcast.com)Follow us on Twitter (@UncutGemsPod) and IG (@UncutGemsPod)Buy us a coffee over at Ko-Fi.com (ko-fi.com/uncutgemspod)Subscribe to our Patreon (patreon.com/uncutgemspod)
Sean and Lexi dedicate the episode to Lexi's late dog Rafa and start a werewolf-movie run, focusing their main discussion on Wolf (1994) after also recording coverage of Bad Moon for Patreon. They highlight Wolf's key creatives and cast (including director Mike Nichols and stars Jack Nicholson, Michelle Pfeiffer, and James Spader) and recap the central setup: Nicholson's publishing executive is bitten after hitting a wolf, begins changing, and faces escalating personal and workplace turmoil involving Spader's character and Nicholson's wife. The conversation touches on major story turns, the werewolf transformation elements, and the film's climax and ending.00:00 Patreon Split Update00:52 Vampire Movie Rant03:17 Live Panel Announcement04:20 Show Intro Banter05:27 Rafiki Tribute07:06 Why Werewolf Movies09:51 Nineties Horror Talk12:45 Wolf Discovery Story20:37 Mike Nichols Deep Dive26:55 Rafiki Casting Bit29:59 Cast and Twin Towers Bit32:09 Plot Setup Begins35:37 Wolf Bite Incident37:17 Office Betrayal Drama41:50 Wolfman Awakens42:32 Gallop to Stewarts45:06 Affair Sparks Revenge45:24 Meet Michelle Pfeiffer47:59 PBJ Date and Milk53:12 Amulet and Pagan Expert55:50 Take Back the Company57:52 Piss and Power Move01:02:22 Hotel Handcuffs Hookup01:06:03 Wife Murder Fallout01:09:14 Spader Turns Werewolf01:12:07 Barn Showdown Finale01:14:50 She Wolf Ending01:16:42 Why Wolf Rules01:19:32 Patreon Plugs and Wrap
(Recorded February 2025) Nathan Lane sits down with Mike and recounts moments from his legendary career — discussing what it was like to work with Mike Nichols, Elaine May, and Robin Williams. He shares what he likes most in a director, who he's jealous of, and what he remembers of twenty-something year old Mike. Plus, an incredible story about working with Joaquin Phoenix on the film Beau is Afraid. Please consider donating to Broadway Cares Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
(Recorded February 2025) Nathan Lane sits down with Mike and recounts moments from his legendary career — discussing what it was like to work with Mike Nichols, Elaine May, and Robin Williams. He shares what he likes most in a director, who he's jealous of, and what he remembers of twenty-something year old Mike. Plus, an incredible story about working with Joaquin Phoenix on the film Beau is Afraid. Please consider donating to Broadway Cares Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
“Living for the STREEP” Series: We are here to celebrate the career of Mary Louise Streep….now known to most as Meryl Streep who has become widely known by critics, film-lovers, and audiences as likely our GREATEST LIVING ACTRESS. Ever since her earlier breakout roles in the late 1970's in films such as The Deer Hunter, and Kramer Vs. Kramer, she has carved out a filmography filled with brilliant performances in memorable films spanning a variety of genres including biopics, thrillers, family dramas, AND comedies. During this time, she has also earned a STAGGERING TWENTY-ONE Oscar nominations including THREE wins. Over the next several months, I will be revisiting one notable Streep film each month – each highlighting a different type of performance – culminating with the May 1 release of the long-awaited sequel featuring one of her more ICONIC roles as Miranda Priestly, The Devil Wears Prada 2.Directed by the legendary Mike Nichols (The Graduate, Catch 22, Working Girl), this is the harrowing true story of Karen Silkwood (Oscar-winner Meryl Streep) who worked at a plutonium processing plant in Oklahome in the mid '70's. At one point, she is exposed to radioactive materials and she eventually becomes a whistleblower on dangerous practices at this plant. Tragically she died under mysterious circumstances just as she was set to divulge information to the media. This film received massive acclaim upon release and was also a box office hit - it was also nominated for five Oscars including for Best Director (Nichols), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actress (Streep), Best Picture, and Best Supporting Actress for Cher who plays Karen's housemate. The stacked cast also includes Kurt Russell, Craig T. Nelson, Fred Ward, Ron Silver, Charles Hallahan, and Bruce McGilll among several other notable actors. Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene Gershon Send us Fan MailSupport the showhttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Gay homosexuals Nick and Joseph review Postcards from the Edge a 1990 American comedy drama film directed by Mike Nichols. The screenplay by Carrie Fisher is based on her 1987 semi-autobiographical novel. The film stars Meryl Streep, Shirley MacLaine, and Dennis Quaid.Additional topics include:The 2026 Academy AwardsXavier Smalls' anti-LGBT commentsMama Tina's gumboThe deaths of Judy Pace, Kiki Shepard, and Chuck NorrisJoin us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FishJellyFilmReviewsWant to send them stuff? Fish Jelly PO Box 461752 Los Angeles, CA 90046Find merch here: https://fishjellyfilmreviews.myspreadshop.com/allVenmo @fishjellyVisit their website at www.fishjellyfilms.comFind their podcast at the following: Anchor: https://anchor.fm/fish-jelly Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/388hcJA50qkMsrTfu04peH Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fish-jelly/id1564138767Find them on Instagram: Nick (@ragingbells) Joseph (@joroyolo) Fish Jelly (@fishjellyfilms)Find them on Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/ragingbells/ https://letterboxd.com/joroyolo/Nick and Joseph are both Tomatometer-approved critics at Rotten Tomatoes: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/critics/nicholas-bell https://www.rottentomatoes.com/critics/joseph-robinson
In this episode of our continuing Mike Nichols Marathon we are sitting down to talk about Primary Colors. Over the course of our conversation you will hear us do our level best to circumnavigate the problematic nature of this movie which is based on the 1992 Bill Clinton primary campaign but is wholly dramatized and filled with fictitious, and oftentimes composite, characters. We talk about how Nichols and May balance between satire and outright takedown of US politics, how the movie treats the "great man" theory and how it effectively looks like a modern reimagining of Macbeth. We also discuss John Travolta's relationship with food, Allison Janey's theatrical falling skills and Billy Bob Thornton's numerous antics. Tune in and enjoy!Subscribe to our patreon at patreon.com/uncutgemspod (3$/month) and support us by gaining access to ALL of our exclusive podcasts, such as bonus tie-ins, themed retrospectives and director marathons!Hosts: Jakub Flasz & Randy BurrowsHead over to our website to find out more! (uncutgemspodcast.com)Follow us on Twitter (@UncutGemsPod) and IG (@UncutGemsPod)Buy us a coffee over at Ko-Fi.com (ko-fi.com/uncutgemspod)Subscribe to our Patreon (patreon.com/uncutgemspod)
Hello, and welcome to another month of Apocalypse Video's look at the wondrous world of Nature. For the month of March, we leave behind the ocean waters and take to the skies to observe the many species that inhabit the world above our heads. This…is March of the Penguins (...And Other Bird Related Films).All month long we'll be discussing everything from penguins - to extravagant plumage in Miami; bizarre worlds filled with talking herons - to the madcap zaniness of Ducks. No feather will be left unturned.In this first installment, we'll join the emperor penguins of Antarctica on their long march to their breeding grounds where we will witness first hand the arduous journey that they undergo every year - a journey across many miles, wrought with danger, but fueled by the love of a mother and father.This…is March of the Penguins.I'm your host, Dave, and joining me as we try our best not to drop the penguin eggs are fellow cinephiles and nature lovers Mike, Jackie, and Ryan.Topics of discussion in this episode include the shocking revelation that not all of the penguins in the film were what they appeared to be (or sound like); Ryan takes us down a Happy Feet tangent; and finally, our old friend (Free) Willy pops up to blow our minds…and break our hearts.Be sure to rate, review and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can also Like Us on Facebook, Follow Us on Instagram, or shoot us an email at apocalypsevideopod@gmail.comAnd thus concludes our look at the titular March of the Penguins. When we return, we'll be getting into the other Bird Related Films portion of our theme as we head over to Miami to witness the extravagant plumage on display in Mike Nichols' The Birdcage.
In ‘Taxi Driver’ (1976), Travis Bickle railed against social decay, moral corruption, and the depraved filth he perceived in the near-bankrupt New York City of the mid 1970s. An insomniac, alienated Vietnam War vet, his taxi trips revealed the city to him as a “sewer” filled with “scum” that needed to be “cleansed”. Around the same time, another taxi driver, a real one, Jamie Gillis, was also recording audio diaries in a similar way. Jamie worked in cabs on and off in the 70s while he acted in adult films and the occasional play. But his tapes were the opposite of Travis Bickle's: Jamie reveled in the city's seediness and the sexual possibilities it offered, and he documented his days with a detail that was as graphic as it was honest. And so, perhaps Jamie Gillis was what Travis Bickle feared: Jamie was the moral decay. He was the other Taxi Driver. Not to say that Jamie was untroubled. He was plagued by doubts, questions, and phobias – his “sickness”, he called it. He feared that the initial promise of the porn film business, that had made him a star of sorts after his leading turn in The Opening of Misty Beethoven (1976), was about to come crashing down – that adult films would never live up to his high expectations, that he was turning into a sexual jester, and that he would never fulfill his potential. So what is the story behind his recordings? In 1976, Jamie met Gael Greene, a well-known character in the city. She belonged to the blue bloods of Manhattan society, having been New York magazine’s high-profile restaurant critic for the previous decade. She was a smart, sleek, feline blonde, ten years older than Jamie, well known and well-regarded in polite and cultured circles. And she was obsessed by Jamie's sexually wanton lifestyle. They first met when she was promoting her erotic novel, ‘Blue Skies, No Candy': “He knew my work. I knew his,” she later wrote. Jamie stopped, picked up the book, read a few lines, and laughed. “You’re the food writer from New York magazine,” he said to her. “And your hero has my name.” Gael replied: “And you’re that actor. From those movies.” She described him at the time as young, surprisingly shy, with shiny black curls and perfect posture. Even better-looking in person, she noted. “You were wonderful in Misty Beethoven,” she told him. “That was fun to make,” Jamie replied,” because I liked the woman in that one.” “What do you do when you don’t like the woman?” Gael asked. Jamie looked her straight in the eyes, and said, “I can always get myself in the mood.” They started a relationship that was tempestuous and torrid. They were an odd couple, but well-suited too: Jamie's business was sex and his passion was food. And Gael's interest and passion were, well, sex and food. She claimed that “the two greatest discoveries of the 20th century were the Cuisinart and the clitoris,” and she was quick to reach for sexual metaphors whenever describing the ecstasy of tasting food in the upper crust restaurants of the city. “Sex and food have been completely intertwined since the beginning of time,” she said. They saw each other often, dealing with the pleasures, jealousy, and complications that resulted. Gael couldn't get enough of Jamie's sexual explorations, and Jamie slipped into her world – overnight becoming her guest at places that had never been available to him. But Gael, the insatiable critic as she was called, wanted more from their union. She believed Jamie could, and should, be a big-name actor, and so she connected him with A-list players in the industry – auditions with directors like Mike Nichols, strategy meetings with super agents like Sue Mengers. She took him to Europe to try new restaurants, and stay with friends like Julia Childs. And came the book: it was Gael's idea. She persuaded Jamie they should write their story by documenting their hedonistic life together. It would capture the era through the eyes of two disparate people with similar lusts and appetites. Jamie agreed: he figured that with Gael's literary track record and contacts, it could be a hit, raising his profile, and enabling him to fulfill his vague dream of becoming a full-time theater actor. Gael suggested Jamie keep an audio diary for one year. He would tape his innermost thoughts, feelings, desires, and the crude, unexpurgated details of his everyday life in all its seamy detail. In return, she would add her own experiences – and they would turn it all into a biographical tale of two lovers crisscrossing 1970s New York, slipping between the city's high society events and its grimy porn film scene. So Jamie started recording: but his tapes ended up being more than a diary. They document a spiral – a downward journey into a damaged soul as he dealt with questions that plagued him: ambition, sexuality, art, talent, lust, and love. The recordings that resulted – unfiltered after hours reflections, candid and honest, are presented here for the first time. Needless to say, turn off now if you are liable to be offended. This is Part 1 of the story of Jamie Gillis and Gael Greene in 1978. This podcast is 49 minutes long. * The post The Porn Star and the Foodie: Jamie Gillis & Gael Greene in 1978 Part 1, The Other Taxi Driver appeared first on The Rialto Report.
This week on Out on the Lanai, we're joined by writer Hiko Mitsuzuka for a deep dive into the career of Herb Edelman, the man behind Dorothy's delightfully insufferable ex-husband, Stan Zbornak. We discuss their favorite Stan episodes, how Edelman elevated Bea Arthur's Dorothy and made her funnier, and the wild story of how his career took off after Mike Nichols happened to get into his cab. It's a celebration of one of The Golden Girls' most memorable recurring characters and the actor who brought him to life.Follow Hiko Mitsuzuka: https://www.instagram.com/thefirstechoSave $50 off LifeRX and join H. Alan Scott on their health journey using the code: ALANLifeRX: https://tinyurl.com/mv8yzufsJoin our Patreon at http://patreon.com/GoldenGirlsPodcastWatch video versions of the podcast on YouTube.com/OutonTheLanaiFor more Golden Girls greatness, visit OutOnTheLanai.com and follow us at...instagram.com/OutOnTheLanaiOfficialfacebook.com/GoldenGirlsPodcasttwitter.com/GoldenGirlsPodFOLLOW H. ALAN SCOTT/SADIE PINES...instagram.com/SadiePinesinstagram.com/HAlanScottlinktr.ee/HAlanScottFOLLOW KERRI DOHERTY...instagram.com/squidsytwitter.com/SquidEatSquidSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode of our ongoing Mike Nichols Marathon we are discussing the 1996 The Birdcage. Over the course of our conversation you will hear us talk about this movie being a massive comeback for Mike Nichols and a triumph of Elaine May's screenwriting. We touch on the many talents of the film's diverse cast that included Robin Williams in an out-of-character calm role, Nathan Lane as the flamboyant diva Albert and how they faced off against the conservative characters played by Gene Hackman and Dianne Wiest. We talk about the many subtle quirks and inside jokes in the movie, The Birdcage as a movie that melted conservative hearts in 1996 and how it would have been impossible to remake it today without risking backlash from all corners. Tune in and enjoy!Subscribe to our patreon at patreon.com/uncutgemspod (3$/month) and support us by gaining access to ALL of our exclusive podcasts, such as bonus tie-ins, themed retrospectives and director marathons!Hosts: Jakub Flasz & Randy BurrowsFeaturing: Hillary WhiteHead over to our website to find out more! (uncutgemspodcast.com)Follow us on Twitter (@UncutGemsPod) and IG (@UncutGemsPod)Buy us a coffee over at Ko-Fi.com (ko-fi.com/uncutgemspod)Subscribe to our Patreon (patreon.com/uncutgemspod)
In this episode, veteran producer Julian Schlossberg discusses My First Book—Part 2, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from his six decades in film, theater, and television. Hear his experiences with legends like Peter Falk, Elaine May, Mike Nichols, and John Cassavetes, along with reflections on running his own Castle Hill Productions for nearly 40 years. Moderator Renee Taylor, Emmy- and Academy Award-nominated actor and playwright, guides the conversation, offering insights into the art, business, and humor of a career spent at the heart of show business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On episode 135 of the Director Watch Podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter are joined by Pop Culture Confidential host Christina Jeurling Birro to discuss the next film in their Warren Beatty series, Bulworth (1998). Welcome back to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, the boys attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema's greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you've got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. The year was 1998, and politics were on the mind, as in the same year as his old friend Elaine May was working with Mike Nichols on Primary Colors, Beatty was making his own political commentary; one that was sure to be one of the more controversial films within the director's filmography. As Beatty grew tired and frustrated by the Democratic party, and feeling they had turned their back on their values and the people who voted for them, he made Bulworth, a satire about a politician that orders a hit on himself and as he is chasing his own death, he starts to unleash, telling the world what is really going on in Washington D.C., all the while being embraced by the black community, and rapping his message out. Sound crazy enough for you? Well that is just a fraction of what is going on in a film that thinks very highly of itself. Ryan, Jay, and Christina break down their thoughts on the film, if it has aged well, if it was an effective satire for the time, how Beatty can't help but get the girl in the end, why everyone was trying to make the great satire of the time, why many fail, and why Bamboozle did what this movie is trying to do, but better. You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, YouTube and more. This podcast runs 1h58m. The guys will be back next week to conclude their series on the films of Warren Beatty with a review of his last film, Rules Don't Apply. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let's get into it. Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and "B-3" from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).
“Living for the STREEP” Series: We are here to celebrate the career of Mary Louise Streep….now known to most as Meryl Streep who has become widely known by critics, film-lovers, and audiences as likely our GREATEST LIVING ACTRESS. Ever since her earlier breakout roles in the late 1970's in films such as The Deer Hunter, and Kramer Vs. Kramer, she has carved out a filmography filled with brilliant performances in memorable films spanning a variety of genres including biopics, thrillers, family dramas, AND comedies. During this time, she has also earned a STAGGERING TWENTY-ONE Oscar nominations including THREE wins. Over the next several months, I will be revisiting one notable Streep film each month – each highlighting a different type of performance – culminating with the May 1 release of the long-awaited sequel featuring one of her more ICONIC roles as Miranda Priestly, The Devil Wears Prada 2.The late, great Oscar-winning filmmaker Mike Nichols (The Graduate, Silkwood, Working Girl) directed this biting comedic drama about Diane, an actress Diane (Meryl Streep) struggling with drug addication and her complicated relationship with her mother (Shirley MacClaine) who was also a famous performer. Also written by the late, great Carrie Fisher (Star Wars, When Harry Met Sally) who was adapting her own semi-autobiographical novel of the same name, this story delves mostly into Diane's frought (and often comedic) misadventures following her recent treatment at a drug clinic including her on-set struggles, her romantic life, and her attempts to carve out a new career for herself. This quotable gem featured a stacked supporting cast including Dennis Quaid, Annette Bening, Oliver Platt, Richard Dreyfuss, and the late, great Gene Hackman. Host: Geoff GershonEdited By Ella GershonProducer: Marlene Gershon Send us a textSupport the showhttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
In this show, we are extending our ongoing Mike Nichols Marathon as our journey through his filmography takes us deeper into the 1990's where we finally take on the 1994 Wolf. Over the course of our conversation you will hear us talk about this movie's positioning among other classical horror archetypes explored by other filmmakers (such as Dracula directed by Francis Ford Coppola, Kenneth Branagh's Frankenstein, or Martin Scorsese's Cape Fear), whether this big budget production could be considered a comeback for the aging Nichols and how it reunited him with Elaine May. We also discuss the many readings one could apply to this film, ranging from commenting on the AIDS epidemic and corporate politics to discussions about masculinity and the director's own life trajectory, and we also explore the friction between the film's ambition and its own ability to deliver on character and theme development. Finally, we chuckle at Jack Nicholson's sharpened senses and find out that Jakub might not be able to pronounce the title of the movie correctly at all. Tune in and enjoy!Subscribe to our patreon at patreon.com/uncutgemspod (3$/month) and support us by gaining access to ALL of our exclusive podcasts, such as bonus tie-ins, themed retrospectives and director marathons!Hosts: Jakub Flasz & Randy BurrowsHead over to our website to find out more! (uncutgemspodcast.com)Follow us on Twitter (@UncutGemsPod) and IG (@UncutGemsPod)Buy us a coffee over at Ko-Fi.com (ko-fi.com/uncutgemspod)Subscribe to our Patreon (patreon.com/uncutgemspod)
Best of WIO: Stephen Colbert (Recorded January 2025)This week the legendary Stephen Colbert returns to the podcast. Mike and Stephen discuss the behind-the-scenes of Stephen's Late Night job as well as his Chicago improv days. Stephen talks wisdom passed down to him by David Letterman, Del Close, and Mike Nichols, and shares what makes him cry most easily. Plus, Stephen's thoughts on meeting George Lucas and the Pope.Please consider donating to Radio Lollipop Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Devin & James are back in the Den one more time in 2025 for our final 50th Anniversary celebration of the films of 1975! This time we focus on the ODDBALL MOVIES of '75, those that are too wild or weird to easily fit into the other categories in our series. We begin with a couple of moody films written by Thomas McGuaine: Stoner cowboys Jeff Bridges & Sam Waterston rustle cattle in RANCHO DELUXE, and then Peter Fonda & Warren Oates have very violent conversations about fishing in 92 IN THE SHADE. Both films also feature amazing performances by Harry Dean Stanton and Joe Spinell. We lighten the mood a bit with Michael Ritchie's underrated slice-of-life beauty pageant comedy SMILE, with fantastic performances by Bruce Dern, Annette O'Toole, and many others. We finish up our celebration with a couple of very dark Los Angeles Depression-era period pieces: Mike Nichols' THE FORTUNE, a pitch-black screwball comedy featuring Jack Nicholson, Warren Beatty, and Stockard Channing in a murdurous love triangle, and John Schlesinger's brutal poison pen letter to old Hollywood, THE DAY OF THE LOCUST, showcasing the never-better Karen Black, the never-creepier Donald Sutherland, and a rare major role by William Atherton. Throw in a lot more offbeat appearances by the likes of Slim Pickens, Burgess Meredith, William Hickey, Billy Barty, Margot Kidder, and Geoffrey Lewis, and you end up with one of the most interesting rosters of character actors we've ever discussed in one episode! These films don't all turn out to be masterpieces (most of them don't), but they are all huge creative swings that stand out from the crowd during an era known for big swings, and that's saying something. Join us to pay tribute to the films from 1975 that were too weird to be hits, but too rare to be forgotten.
With her latest movie Code 3 on digital and on demand this Friday, December 19th, actor Aimee Carrero is here to celebrate Mike Nichols' (and Elaine May's) 1996 version of The Birdcage, with Robin Williams and Nathan Lane as a gay couple trying to trick the conservative parents of their son's fiancee into thinking they're a nice, normal couple – which, of course, they are. Your genial host Norm Wilner wishes Gene Hackman had done more comedies.
In our first ever episode dedicated to an actor we train our sights on the man, the myth, the legend that is Jack Nicholson. Specifically our focus is on his four 1975 calendrical releases: Ken Russell's Tommy, Michelangelo Antonioni's The Passenger, Mike Nichols' The Fortune, and finally we top things off with a brief discussion of his Oscar Winning turn in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. It's a fun one! We talk about some weird movies, the hosts certainly get in a few attempts at Jack impressions, and everyone should leave with a little more knowledge of that marvelous year in film that was 1975. Topics include: Nicholson's house on so-called “Bad Boy Lane”, Alana's mom's crush on Roger Daltrey, and the charms of a young Stocking Channard…I mean Stockard Channing.
In this episode of our Mike Nichols Marathon, the last of the year, we are ankle-deep in the auteur's 90's output as we discuss the 1991 film Regarding Henry. Over the course of our conversation you will hear us debate whether Nichols abandoned or lost his subversive edge over the course of two decades since his most iconic work or if his early masterpieces were an anomaly in a catalogue of safe movies about relationships. We talk about this movie functioning as an attempt at a Frank Capra film or an antidote to Wall Street and how the film's overt clichés make it look like a Hallmark production. We also point out that Bill Nunn's character is a walking and talking HR liability, that brain trauma can apparently be cured with hot sauce and place a few comments against J.J. Abrams's screenwriting output as well. Tune in enjoy!Subscribe to our patreon at patreon.com/uncutgemspod (3$/month) and support us by gaining access to ALL of our exclusive podcasts, such as bonus tie-ins, themed retrospectives and director marathons!Hosts: Jakub Flasz & Randy BurrowsHead over to our website to find out more! (uncutgemspodcast.com)Follow us on Twitter (@UncutGemsPod) and IG (@UncutGemsPod)Buy us a coffee over at Ko-Fi.com (ko-fi.com/uncutgemspod)Subscribe to our Patreon (patreon.com/uncutgemspod)
There was originally a plan to bring the much-loved Christmas book The Polar Express to the big screen in live action, with Rob Reiner potentially directing. But eventually, the project ended up with Robert Zemeckis. Looking for something between live action and animation, a different kind of technology was to be used for the film - but would audiences respond to it? Especially when they tried to look the characters in the eye... The second part of this episode is a return to the podcast for writer/producer/director James L Brooks, chatting about his new film, Ella McCay. Plus, getting films for grown-ups made, Mike Nichols, previewing his movies and a whole lot more. Ella McCay is in UK cinemas from 12th December 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Our Mike Nichols 2000s miniseries continues with one of the director's strangest career anomalies: Charlie Wilson's War. Phil and Emily are joined by critic and writer Sonia Saraiya to unpack how Nichols, Aaron Sorkin, Tom Hanks, and Julia Roberts came together to make a political dramedy that feels breezy on the surface but carries enormous historical weight underneath.The conversation digs into the true story behind the film Charlie Wilson, Joanne Herring, and CIA operative Gust Avrakotos and how their covert efforts armed Afghan fighters during the Soviet Afghan War. Phil breaks down the film's compressed narrative and its reluctance to grapple with the long-term consequences of U.S. involvement, including the geopolitical chain reaction the movie only gestures toward. Sonia and Emily explore Sorkin's ideology, the movie's softened satire, and how the adaptation diverged from the darker, sharper script Nichols originally signed onto.From Philip Seymour Hoffman's electric performance to Nichols' complicated, last-years-of-his-career filmmaking context, the episode traces how the movie became both an accessible studio comedy and a missed opportunity for deeper political reckoning. They also examine the infamous alternate ending, Nichols' battle over the cut, and the creative tug-of-war between Hanks, Sorkin, and the studio.Whether you've revisited Charlie Wilson's War recently or haven't thought about it since 2007, this episode highlights why the film is entertaining, frustrating, and uniquely revealing about the final chapter of Mike Nichols' film career. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Just in time for the Holiday season, Austin and Tim travel back in time to Christmas Day, 1973. However, another stowaway snuck on board, and this time it was Tim's friend Jim. We made him watch 5 movies with us, and he can't take that time back! We forced him to watch the kung fu movie The Screaming Tiger, a wacko musical starring Desi Arnaz Jr and Zero Mostel called Marco, Streisand and Redford in The Way We Were, The Paper Chase, and ending the show with what could be the craziest movie we've seen so far on the podcast, Mike Nichols' assassination thriller The Day of the Dolphin.
Send us a textAn escaped mental patient embarks on a murder spree after escaping from an institution in 1987 Oakland, CA. He encounters a group of punks and they all regale each other with tales about their shared love of movies, people, places and memories beyond our knowable universe. On Episode 695 of Trick or Treat Radio we have another Patreon Takeover, this time with EF Contentment! EF has selected the films Freaky Tales and Nightmare (1981) for us to discuss! We also talk about underdog films, video nasties, and the romantic sleaziness of big cities in the 80s. So grab your favorite 80s mixtape, equip your favorite Nazi smashing weapon, and strap on for the world's most dangerous podcast!Stuff we talk about: Patreon Takeover, EF Contentment, High Spirits, Steve Guttenberg, Liam Neeson, The Buggering, Crying Game, Neil Jordan, Blood Diner, Night Patrol, The Unknown Comic, Billy Barty, The Being, Ryan Prows, Lowlife, C.M. Punk, Justin Long, Ricardo Zarate, Mike Nichols, Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey, Stargate, DTS audio, SDDS, Brotherhood of the Wolf, Ali, The Gulp of Mexico, Skydance Paramount, Howard Dean, Mike Dukakis, Roman Polanski, G.I. Joe, “Bubba”, Univeral Healthcare, Sara Ottoman, Ryan Gosling, Half Nelson, Sugar, Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck, Freaky Tales, Captain Marvel, Go, Mystery Train, Pulp Fiction, Maniac, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Green Room, the punk rock hip-hop and metal scenes, Lost Boys, Ishtar, Raising Arizona, Radio Days, Tom Hanks, Sid and Nancy, Big Trouble in Little China, Breaking Away, Top 5 Underdog Movies, Roger Ebert, Repo Man, David Cronenberg, Quentin Tarantino, Megadeth, Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey, plagiarism vs. homage, Nancy Reagan, TOO $HORT, Jay Ellis, Blade, The Fury, Brian De Palma, Three Days in the Valley, Nightmare, Romano Scavolini, Video Nasty, Trick or Treats, Death Wish Club, Basket Case, Alice Sweet Alice, Astron-6, Steven Kostanski, Deathstalker, Patton Oswalt, Daniel Bernhardt, Brain Dead Studios, Once Bitten, Lake Placid, Transylvania 6-5000, Razorback, Lifeforce, Gremlins 2, The Funhouse, Demon Witch Child, Night of the Demon, Jim Carrey, and generational trauma.Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/trickortreatradioJoin our Discord Community: discord.trickortreatradio.comSend Email/Voicemail: mailto:podcast@trickortreatradio.comVisit our website: http://trickortreatradio.comStart your own podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=386Use our Amazon link: http://amzn.to/2CTdZzKFB Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/trickortreatradioTwitter: http://twitter.com/TrickTreatRadioFacebook: http://facebook.com/TrickOrTreatRadioYouTube: http://youtube.com/TrickOrTreatRadioInstagram: http://instagram.com/TrickorTreatRadioSupport the show
This week, we continue our Mike Nichols miniseries with a deep dive into Closer (2004), joined by Sean Fennessey of The Big Picture. It's a film that captivated many of us in our early 20s only to unravel under rewatch with age, perspective, and healthier emotional boundaries.We unpack why Closer once felt like “grown-up cinema,” how its theatrical origins shape its structure, and why its four leads Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Natalie Portman, and Clive Owen are all performing at maximum intensity inside a script that might not deserve them. From the infamous strip-club scene to the messy power dynamics, contradictions, and emotional violence embedded in Patrick Marber's writing, we ask the question: does any of this actually work?Sean brings insight into Nichols' career, the film's mid-2000s cultural footprint (including its unexpected influence on emo/screamo lyrics), and the era's attempt to manufacture Jude Law into Hollywood's next megastar. And yes, we talk about Damien Rice, the Oscars, and why Closer remains a fascinating artistic contradiction: a film full of great performances inside a story that collapses under scrutiny. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
GGACP celebrates the 50th anniversary of the classic Neil Simon comedy “The Sunshine Boys” (released November, 1975) by revisiting this memorable interview with the film's co-star, actor-director Richard Benjamin. In this episode, Richard looks back on his six-decade career in Hollywood and recalls memories of working with Woody Allen, Mel Brooks, Clint Eastwood, Mike Nichols and Orson Welles. Also, James Mason pulls a fast one, Walter Matthau plays the ponies, George Burns orders the soup and Johnny Guitar meets Lawrence of Arabia. PLUS: “He & She”! The genius of Michael Crichton! The brilliance of Buck Henry! Richard pursues Albert Finney! And Gilbert sings the theme from “Goodbye Columbus”! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In the conclusion to their Mike Nichols miniseries, Phil and Emily welcome Joe Reid (Vulture, This Had Oscar Buzz) to unpack Angels in America: Part Two Perestroika.The trio dives deep into how Nichols translated Tony Kushner's monumental stage play into one of HBO's most ambitious miniseries exploring its themes of prophecy, identity, queer resilience, and the intersection of politics and spirituality in 1980s America. They discuss the legacy of Angels as both a masterpiece of television and a cultural turning point for the medium itself, its sweeping performances from Meryl Streep, Al Pacino, and Mary-Louise Parker, and how Nichols closed out his career redefining prestige TV.This episode caps a thoughtful look back at Nichols' 2000s work, from Wit to Angels in America, examining how he brought cinematic intimacy to television storytelling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today, I'm thrilled to announce my interview with Broadway director Trip Cullman, whose production of Martyna Majok's Queens is currently playing at Manhattan Theater Club. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including reinventing I CAN GET IT FOR YOU WHOLESALE, the use of music into CULT OF LOVE and CHOIR BOY, working on UNKNOWN SOLDIER after Michael Friedman passed away, telling Joshua Harmon's personal stories in SIGNIFICANT OTHER and WE HAD A WORLD, deciding on the set for LOBBY HERO, assisting Joe Mantello on TAKE ME OUT, bringing a sex scene to life in A SMALL FIRE, his dramaturgical concept for SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION, what he learned from Mike Nichols during THE SEAGULL, staging an intense moment in THE LONELY FEW, being the only gay person working on ANGELS IN AMERICA, why THE ROSE TATTOO was a heartbreaker, bringing THELMA AND LOUISE to the stage, working on UNKNOWN SOLDIER after Michael Friedman passed away, why he loves casting musical theater actors in plays, how COWBOY MOUTH inspired his love of directing, his long collaboration with Leslye Headland and Halley Feiffer, his upcoming work on BECKY SHAW, and so much more. Don't miss this candid conversation with one of Broadway's best.
This week on Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes dive into "Charlie Wilson's War" (2007), the sharp, witty, and surprisingly accessible political drama written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by Mike Nichols.Both Mike Butler and Mike Field really enjoy this film for its stellar performances across the board; especially from Philip Seymour Hoffman, who steals every scene he's in. His portrayal of CIA operative Gust Avrakotos brings some of the best dialogue and energy in the film, including one of Field's favorite movie scenes of the last 30 years.The Mikes discuss how Sorkin's script delivers complex political maneuvering and historical context with humor and clarity, never getting bogged down in heavy-handed messaging while still hinting at the long-term consequences of the events depicted. Smart, funny, and full of quotable lines, "Charlie Wilson's War" stands as both an engaging character study and a reminder of how power, charm, and ego can shape history.
Before you make plans to invite your friends over or plan that family dinner party, hear what we have to say about Mike Nichols' 1966 drama Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? in which Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton host the dinner party from Hell! Amber Lewis welcomes "The Authority on the Golden Age of Cinema" Robert Burnett back to the show!Head over to our Patreon and get started with a FREE 7-day trial. We've got plenty of exclusive content and episodes that you'll only find there! You can also sign up as a free member! Check out our YouTube Channel and subscribe now!www.afilmbypodcast.com/ for more information.Email us at afilmbypodcast@gmail.com with your questions, comments, and requests.Find us on Instagram, X, and Facebook @afilmbypodcast.
This week on Podcast Like It's The 2000s, Phil and Emily begin their deep dive into Mike Nichols' monumental HBO miniseries, Angels in America with special guest Adam B. Vary (Variety).Together, they unpack Tony Kushner's sweeping adaptation of his Pulitzer Prize winning play, exploring how Nichols brought the AIDS crisis, politics, and spirituality to television with raw emotional power. From Meryl Streep's transformative performance to Al Pacino's chilling portrayal of Roy Cohn, the trio explores the artistry, ambition, and legacy of a project that redefined what prestige TV could be.They also discuss how Angels in America marked the pinnacle of HBO's early 2000s dominance, bridging the era between The Sopranos and Six Feet Under and setting the tone for the next two decades of prestige television.If you want to hear Part 2, full video episodes, and exclusive behind-the-scenes conversations, join the Podcast Like It's Patreon community for more.
Phil and Emily continue their deep-dive into Mike Nichols' work from the 2000s with Wit , the acclaimed HBO adaptation of Margaret Edson's Pulitzer Prize–winning play. Joined by writer and producer Eliza Clark (Y: The Last Man, Animal Kingdom), they explore how Nichols recalibrated his directorial voice after What Planet Are You From? with this intimate, emotionally devastating story of a scholar facing terminal illness.The conversation digs into the film's powerful performances led by Emma Thompson and the delicate balance Nichols strikes between theatricality and cinematic storytelling. Together, they unpack Wit's themes of mortality, intellect, vulnerability, and humanity, while tracing how this project set the stage for his monumental follow-up, Angels in America.If you want access to full video episodes, exclusive bonus content, and more conversations like this one, head over to our Patreon and join the community today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Phil and Emily kick off a brand-new miniseries exploring the films and television of legendary director Mike Nichols in the 2000s. First up: the notorious 2000 sci-fi romantic comedy “What Planet Are You From?”, starring Gary Shandling, Annette Bening, and John Goodman.Joined by critic and returning guest Emma Stefansky, the trio dive deep into this infamous box-office bomb unpacking its chaotic tone, lack of internal logic, and bizarre premise about an alien sent to Earth to impregnate a woman. They discuss how the film reflects a turning point for Nichols, why it derailed Gary Shandling's movie career, and what it reveals about Hollywood's early-2000s obsession with “blank check” comedies.From alien sex jokes to comedy-career implosions, this episode is a hilarious, insightful breakdown of one of the strangest films of the decade and the perfect start to our Mike Nichols retrospective. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Speed reading might sound impressive, but research shows that slowing down can actually improve comprehension, retention, and enjoyment. In this opening segment, we explore why reading at a slower pace could be the real key to getting the most out of your books and articles. https://www.bustle.com/p/7-reasons-slow-reading-is-actually-a-good-thing-because-being-a-speed-reader-is-overrated-73092 On average, people juggle about 22 goals at any given time — but chasing all of them often leads to frustration and burnout. My guest, Jon Acuff, bestselling speaker and author of nine books, including All It Takes is a Goal (https://amzn.to/3PtSiOF), shares a fresh, motivating approach to goal setting. Learn how to identify the goals that truly matter, let go of the ones that don't, and build momentum toward the ones that can change your life. “It's raining cats and dogs,” “go cold turkey,” “know the ropes” — we say these things all the time, but rarely stop to ask where they originated. Caroline Taggart, longtime publishing professional and author of Humble Pie and Cold Turkey: English Expressions and Their Origins (https://amzn.to/3ZazBTw), takes us on a fun journey into the surprising and sometimes bizarre backstories of the phrases we use every day. Winning arguments isn't easy — but there's one simple strategy that dramatically improves your chances. In this closing segment, I share the key insight from Mike Nichols, author of The Lost Art of Listening (https://amzn.to/3ErzkSy), that can help you argue smarter, connect better, and maybe even change a few minds. PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!!! INDEED: Get a $75 sponsored job credit to get your jobs more visibility at https://Indeed.com/SOMETHING right now! DELL: Huge savings on Dell AI PCs with Intel Core Ultra processors are here, and they are newly designed to help you do more, faster. Upgrade today by visiting https://Dell.com/Deals QUINCE: Keep it classic and cool this fall with long lasting staples from Quince! Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns! HERS: Whether you want to lose weight, grow thicker, fuller hair, or find relief for anxiety, Hers has you covered. Visit https://forhers.com/something to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you! SHOPIFY: Shopify is the commerce platform for millions of businesses around the world! To start selling today, sign up for your $1 per month trial at https://Shopify.com/sysk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Ringer's Bill Simmons, Amanda Dobbins, and Joanna Robinson hop on the Staten Island Ferry and pop on their tennis shoes to revisit Mike Nichols's 1988 classic, ‘Working Girl,' starring Melanie Griffith, Harrison Ford, and Sigourney Weaver. Podcast Manager: Craig Horlbeck Video Producers: Ronak Nair and Marcelino Ortiz Shopping. Streaming. Savings. It's on Prime Visit Amazon.com/prime to get more out of whatever you're into. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices