Beyond the Fame with Jason Fraley

WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley interviews actors Mandy Patinkin and Kathryn Grody, who visit Strathmore in North Bethesda, Maryland tomorrow night for a special Valentine’s Day show hosted by their son Gideon. They discuss their “storybook love” and the secret to staying married for 44 years, as well as memories of their most beloved roles like Inigo Montoya in “The Princess Bride.” (The...

WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley interviews writer/director Laura Chinn, whose new coming-of-age film "Suncoast" premieres on Hulu today just a month after premiering at Sundance. She describes basing the film on her own life story, as well as working with talented rising star Nico Parker and renowned screen veterans like Laura Linney and Woody Harrelson. (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Cla...

WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley interviews Randi Zuckerberg as today marks exactly 20 years since her brother Mark Zuckerberg launched The Facebook from his sophomore dorm room at Harvard University on Feb. 4, 2004. They spoke in 2016 when she launched the reality TV show “Quit Your Day Job” on the Oxygen network. (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion") Learn more about your ad choices....

WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley interviews outgoing Kennedy Center Chairman David Rubenstein, who is reportedly buying the Baltimore Orioles. They spoke in 2020 about his 10-episode PBS series “History with David Rubenstein,” and while they didn’t discuss baseball, the conversation may give you some insight into the mind of this cultured entrepreneur. (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clario...

WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley catches up with Living Colour frontman Corey Glover, who rocks the Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races in West Virginia tomorrow night in a double bill with Extreme. They discuss his groundbreaking career, including the timelessness of the hit song “Cult of Personality," as well as his role in Oliver Stone’s “Platoon.” (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clar...

WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley interview Gina Prince-Bythewood & Reggie Rock Bythewood, executive producers of "“Genius: MLK/X," which premieres tomorrow night on National Geographic before streaming Friday on Hulu and Disney+. They discuss juxtaposing the lives of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, as well as memories of Gina directing “Love & Basketball” and “The Woman King.” (Theme...

WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley interviews WWE superstar A.J. Styles, who battles Roman Reigns, Randy Orton and L.A. Knight in a Fatal Fourway match for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship tomorrow night at the "Royal Rumble" on Peacock. The “Phenomenal One” discusses his three challenging opponents, as well as predictions for the 30-man Men’s Royal Rumble Match and memories of his...

WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley interviews six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald, who performs live with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. on Jan. 30 and Jan. 31. They break down her record-breaking six Tony wins on Broadway, as well as her TV role in HBO's "The Gilded Age" and movie work in "Rustin" and "Origin." (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion...

WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley interviews Kym Whitley, who cracks up the D.C. Comedy Loft for a run of five shows this weekend in the nation’s capital. She reflects on her career from “Next Friday” to “Curb Your Enthusiasm” to “Master of None,” as well as her award-winning podcast “Two Funny Mamas” with Sherri Shepherd. (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion") Learn more about your ad ch...

WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley interviews "American Idol" Season 2 finalists Ruben Studdard & Clay Aiken, who reunite for a special 20th anniversary tour at Bethesda Theater in Bethesda, Maryland on Monday, Jan. 22. They reflect on their incredible journey, following Kelly Clarkson’s win in Season 1 to help “American Idol” skyrocket into a TV ratings juggernaut — and why they’re still fr...

WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley interviews Liz Callaway, who brings her Grammy-nominated Stephen Sondheim tribute "To Steve With Love" to the Kennedy Center on Saturday. They discuss her prolific career from Broadway to TV themes like "The Nanny" to animated movies like "Anastasia," in which she sang the Oscar-nominated song "Journey to the Past." (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion")...

WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley chats with Gin Blossoms lead singer Robin Wilson, who fronts The Smithereens at The State Theatre in Falls Church, Virginia on Saturday, then at the Rams Head in Annapolis, Maryland on Sunday. They discuss his lifelong fandom of The Smithereens and break down his biggest Gin Blossoms hits, including “Hey Jealousy,” “Found Out About You,” “Till I Hear it Fro...

WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley interviews actress Ashley Park who stars in the movie musical remake of “Mean Girls” in theaters nationwide today! They spoke ahead of the 2017 pre-Broadway premiere at National Theatre in Washington D.C. before earning a Tony nomination on Broadway, leading to roles in "Emily in Paris," "Beef" and "Joy Ride." (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion") Learn...

WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley marks the 30th anniversary of "Philadelphia," which won Tom Hanks his first of two back-to-back Best Actor Oscars followed by "Forrest Gump," where Sally Field plays his momma who taught him, "Life is like a box of chocolates." We're flashing back to interviews with both screen legends, including the 2014 Kennedy Center Honors for Hanks, the 2016 Presidenti...

WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley marks the 60th anniversary of the classic comedy mystery "The Pink Panther," which premiered on Dec. 18, 1963, co-starring Robert Wagner as David Niven's nephew during a zany investigation by Peter Sellers. Wagner called in to promote his 2017 book "I Loved Her in the Movies: Memories of Hollywood's Legendary Actresses." (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clari...

WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley interviews John Madden, director of "Shakespeare in Love," which premiered on this day 25 years ago on Dec. 11, 1998. They spoke in 2016 when Madden visited Washington D.C. to promote his political thriller "Miss Sloane." (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion") Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley interviews LeLee Lyons of the R&B trio S-W-V (Sisters with Voices), which performs live at MGM National Harbor near Washington D.C. on Sunday night. They discuss the group’s biggest hits from “Weak” to “Right Here/Human Nature.” (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion") Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley interviews Randy Bachman to celebrate 50 years of Bachman-Turner Overdrive. They discusss his prolific career from The Guess Who hits like “American Woman” and “These Eyes,” to BTO classics like “Takin’ Care of Business," "You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet" and "Let it Ride." (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion") Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastc...

WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley interviews Derek Hough, who brings "Symphony of Dance" to MGM National Harbor near Washington D.C. tomorrow night. They discuss his journey to win a record six Mirrorball trophies on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars." (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion") Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley interviews Duane Betts of the Allman Betts Family Revival, which salutes the Allman Brothers Band tomorrow night at Capital One Hall in Tysons, Virginia. They discuss iconic tunes like “Ramblin’ Man," "Jessica" and "Midnight Rider." (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion") Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley interviews former D.E.A. agent Steve Murphy, who inspired the hit Netflix series "Narcos," as today marks the 30th anniversary of the death of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar on Dec. 2, 1993. They spoke when Murphy brought his "Capturing Pablo" live speaking tour to Lincoln Theatre in Washington D.C. in 2019. (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion") Learn...

WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley catches up with gospel legend Yolanda Adams, who headlines the Christmas concert “Do You Hear What I Hear?” at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, Dec. 5. She previews what to expect from the holiday concert and chronicles her illustrious, Grammy-winning career. (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion") Learn more about your ad choices. Visit p...

WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley interviews Mike Score of A Flock of Seagulls as the band rocks The Fillmore in Silver Spring, Maryland this Saturday night. They discuss the band’s journey in Liverpool to create iconic '80s new-wave hits like "I Ran." (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion") Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley interviews Darren Criss, who performs live tomorrow night at the National Christmas Tree Lighting on The Ellipse outside the White House before bringing “A Very Darren Crissmas” to Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia on Saturday and Sunday. They discuss his career from his breakthrough role in “Glee” to his Emmy-winning role in “American Crime Story: The Assassin...

WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley interviews David Baldacci about his new book “The Edge,” the second installment of his “6:20 Man” series, which just got bought by Netflix. They also discuss him growing up in Virginia to become an international bestselling author, as well as his favorite movies, TV shows, music, books and sports. (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion") Learn more about yo...