Inside Out with Paul Mecurio

Rick is one of this country's best, most brilliant arts journalists and authors. He's also an accomplished musician and has great stories interviewing some of the biggest stars in music, comedy and acting. Rick shares hilarious anecdotes from his years on the road in a Texas rock band, having fancy lunches with book publishers (he ordered the wrong thing). He also gives us a fascinating look into...

If aliens visited us what would you ask them? What would they look like - would they have a head and arms? What would they think of what we call a "Big Mac?" My good friend Neil degrasse Tyson returns as a guest where we explore those questions and alot more as we talk about his terrific book, "Take Me To Your Leader" in which he gives us a whole new set of unique ways to look at the question of w...

What would you do if you were a stoner who got psychic powers from experimental drugs? You don't have to be on drugs to figure it out thanks to "The Wrong Girls," the hilarious stoner comedy/sci-fi caper. Kristen, Alia and I have a great time talking about the film (which includes a comedy all-star supporting cast), the screwups they play in the movie, why this film is a completely fresh take on h...

A fascinating conversation with a legend in the traditional media and digital media industries. Tom has revolutionized business and news coverage through the creation of CNBC and MSNBC; changed the face of TV consumption through TiVo, including bringing Netflix and Amazon into the streaming TV era and served as Executive Producer of the first full-length, AI generated motion picture. Hear from som...

Pickleball could change your life! So says Mary Steenburgen and her new film star-studded “The Dink” as she talks about the film in this fun conversation about her storied 50-year career in Hollywood including how she chooses projects and roles and what it is about this role in “The Dink” that was unlike any other she has played.

A fascinating conversation with legendary artist, Melissa Etheridge about her writing process, what inspires her, and what it was like starting out as a musician and how she has grown and changed as a songwriter over the years. Melissa is very open about how she has used music to cope with serious loss in her life and shares the power of radio had in her life to expose her to a wide variety of mus...

This is an interview on my show (formerly titled "2 Chairs & A Microphone") I did a while back with Rob about his amazing career, his life and the movie he made with his son Nick, “Being Charlie. “ Rob was so proud and excited to have made this film with his son. Rob was a great artist, and more importantly, a great human being. A true social activist, he loved people and cared deeply about ma...

An eye-opening look at civil rights leader and Presidential candidate Jesse Jackson and how he changed the political playing field for all Americans. You aren't going to learn this in history classes in school.

Hear how the unlikely and challenging capture of a little known terrorist made America safe and changed the course of the war on terror here in America. An absolutely gripping account of Jake's new book that highlights the amazing detective work done to capture and convict this brazen terrorist.

Dr. Drew apologizes. After re-thinking some of his positions on vaccines, health mandates, etc, Dr. Drew is now on a self-professed apology tour. This is a fascinating and brutally honest assessment from Dr. Drew of what he's gotten wrong (and right). A refreshing moment in the national dialogue that you absolutely should hear.

Hear Emmy winner Michael Chiklis talk about regret, humility, why people are not connected these days and how his new film, "The Senior" is a movie that will surprise you, motivate you and make you feel something you didn't at all expect. This movie is unlike any movie big Hollywood is releasing these days. And that's a GOOD thing. 

Hear first hand from an NBA champion and Finals MVP what it takes to win the biggest prize. Cedric is engrossing as he describes the nitty gritty of what made the Celts Championship run to their 18th banner so magical and what it takes to be an M+NBA champion. Cedric gives a great insider's take on the Celtics teams he played on and on the storied franchise overall.  I'm a huge Celtics fan but you...

Jerry is one of the most successful film producers in Hollywood history and this is rare glimpse into the production genius of Jerry Bruckheimer. Hear how he consistently produces such mega-hit as he gives us a rare insider's look into his creative process in talking about the major factors that go into his choices of what movies he will make. Jerry details  what was entailed in creating a realist...

John, as always, is hilarious, passionate and thought-provoking in this really fun conversation about the Latino influences in our culture and politics that has gone largely unnoticed. In a way only John can tell it, he describes his highly acclaimed 2nd season of "John Leguizamo Does America" as we hear about the 6 cities he's visited to take in the Latino influences, what surprised him in his tr...

An absolutely captivating conversation with the world's greatest documentary filmmaker as he passionately talks about his newest documentary series, "American Revolution," which explores our country’s founding struggle and its eight-year war for independence. Ken is spell-binding as he describes the virtues and contradictions of the war and the birth of America and talks about how the film follows...

Spike describes his start in comedy - a hilarious story of how getting in trouble in college for a prank led to being one of the best comedy writers in Hollywood. We also talk about his passion for high-end cars, how it started, what makes car collectors a unique breed and his Youtube show he co-hosts with Jerry Seinfeld and much more.

A deep dive with Alex about her newest project, the podcast - "Trumpland." On “Trumpland with Alex Wagner,” Alex travels the country talking with the people on the frontlines of Trump’s policies and promises. For the first 100 days of the new administration, she’s taking a break from the anchor’s chair to get out into the field to bring you conversations you can't always find on TV. Alex gives us...

An interesting fun look at one of the best known comedians out there. Howie talks about his passion for "America's Got Talent," how it changes the lives of its contestants. He has a funny, great story of how he resisted getting into the game show hosting world but when he did it changed his life forever. Howie gives us a fascinating look into how he embraces fear and how fear drives him in all he...

Amy is absolutely fun and delightful in this wide-ranging interview as she talks about the new season of the hit FX series, "The Old Man." She describes why it is so amazing to work with Jeff Bridges, how she approached her role and character in the series, what she looks for in roles and the challenges she faced first starting out as an actress in Hollywood much more.

A really fun interview with Steven who is hilarious as we talk about Chicago Med but mostly his life as an actor and he has an hysterical take on how the importance of fame and wealth in our society and how to get it. Steven and I go on a really funny riff on how it's so easy to be famous these days by not doing much of anything. And hear Steven's take on why Europe looks at fame and success diffe...

David is hilarious in this really fun conversation about his newest project, "The Good Half." David gives us a cool look into his famous, creative family - hear about how his eclectic mother (a former burlesque dancer who David named his nightclub named) and artistic family (sisters Roasanna and Patricia)  inspired him to be an actor and hear how fun it was growing up in such a artistic family. Da...

A fun, fascinating conversation with Mika about her "Know Your Value" initiative that empowers women to grow their careers and form healthy habits. Hear who some of the amazing women from business, entertainment and more who are on the newest "Know Your Value Forbes 50 over 50 list." Mika also has great insight into the Kamala Harris campaign, the current state of politics as well and what's at st...

A view of football that you've never heard before. Sal talks in depth about his new book, "How Football Explains America," and explains how football originated in America,  how football in America was influenced by African American culture, military history and  cultural shifts across generations and why the Quarter-Back Position is the most revered of any position in sports. He also gives fascina...

A really fun conversation with Jane about her amazing career as a host, CBS news anchor and nationally known DIY expert on such shows as NBC’s The TODAY Show, FOX Good Day, and HSN to name a few. Jane explains why being a radio host for 4 hours a day early on in her career was so instrumental to her success on TV. Hear what makes Jane such a GREAT interviewer. Jane also has a really fun story abou...

John created one of the most iconic characters in television history - Cliff Clavin of "Cheers."  Hear the fascinating story how that character was created, how John's 10 years touring Europe as a performer led to him landing the role of cheers, what his huge comedy influences are and much more.