Culture Pop Podcast

Julia Duffy joins Mase & Sue to talk about her high society role in Apple TV+’s sixties set comedy-drama PALM ROYALE. They discuss how she landed the part, digging into her Minnesota roots to find her character, working with an all-star cast, the spot-on midcentury scenic and costume design. Also, her childhood obsession with Carol Burnett, the dream job of playing opposite Bob Newhart, garner...

Mase & Sue kick off the episode shooting the breeze about the best meals and greatest trips of their lifetime before writer/producer and favorite foodie, Phil Rosenthal joins in to talk about the new season of SOMEBODY FEED PHIL. They discuss the sitcom elements of the show, how the locations are chosen, the beauty of serendipity, what doesn’t make the final cut, respectfully dodging situation...

Actor Simon Baker chats about his starring and producing roles in the acclaimed Independent Australian film, LIMBO – the outback noir mystery-crime gem directed by Ivan Sen. Mase & Sue talk with him about his experience working with the Indigenous auteur filmmaker, an intimate crew, authentic undressed location settings, shooting monochromatic, casting local kids, and the relationship between...

First, chewing betel nut in Guam, an acupuncturist adjustment gone wrong, new shows MR. AND MRS. SMITH and THE REGIME, on HBO and a 22-year-old model who had a creepy encounter with Leonardo DiCaprio.   Then Actor/Comedian Rory Scovel returns to the show to talk to with Mase & Sue about his new HBO MAX standup special RELIGION, SEX AND A FEW THINGS IN BETWEEN. They discuss what inspired the co...

Independent Spirit Award nominee, Judy Reyes talks to Mase & Sue about her lead role in the Frankenstein-inspired film, BIRTH/REBIRTH. We discuss why she took the part, the evolution of her character, working with co-star Marin Ireland, dealing with brutal subject matter, and director/co-writer Laura Moss’ straddling of the lengths one will go in order to achieve the thing you’re afraid to los...

Author/Movie critic Josh Larsen is back on the CULTURE POP PODCAST joining Mase & Sue for their annual Oscars preview show. They talk about the diversity in 2023’s films, the state of animation, shoo-ins, curveballs, sentimental favorites, who got snubbed and the nominees we would remove for those we wanted. Plus, how the SAG Award winners will fare, and Jimmy Kimmel’s return as Hollywood’s bi...

America’s favorite potty mouth, the hilarious Susie Essman returns to the CULTURE POP PODCAST to chat with Mase and Sue about her career defining decades on HBO’s CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM. They talk about the final season, the unconventional amount of ad libbing, being part of the creative process, the genius and loyalty of Larry David, favorite scenes throughout the series, what’s inherent in all com...

Screenwriters Terence Winter & Frank E Flowers join Mase & Sue to talk about BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE, which chronicles the rise of one of the most influential music artists of all time. We talk about how the message of his music impacted the world and continues to resonate today, the process of penning a biopic, the dynamic of writing partners, the intimate collaboration with Marley’s family,...

On this episode of the CULTURE POP PODCAST, Mase & Sue start with a SAG Awards preview, then lots of laughs with good pal Bryan Cranston. They talk to him about his new film, ARGYLLE, his bevvy of bad guy roles, working with visionary directors Matthew Vaughn and Wes Anderson, his approach to staying in character during breaks between scenes, his reunion request for the cast of THE OFFICE, the...

Tragically, opposition leader Alexei Navalny has died in a Russian prison. He bravely fought for freedom for his country, but his life was cut short by authoritarian dictator Vladmir Putin. Last year, the documentary, NAVALNY won the Academy Award for Best Documentary. It is now more important than ever to see it. Director Daniel Roher & journalist Christo Grozev joined the podcast last year t...

Actor Gideon Glick joins Mase & Sue to talk about his role as Tommy Cothran in the Oscar nominated film MAESTRO. We discuss acting opposite director Bradley Cooper, the abundance of improvising, their unconventional communication in between scenes and the use of Panavision. Also, being cast in the original production of the groundbreaking Broadway musical, SPRING AWAKENING, the compelling HBO...

Actor Chyler Leigh joins Mase & Sue to discuss her Hallmark Channel time travel drama series, THE WAY HOME. We talk about the personal connection with her character, her executive producer role, the challenges of Zoom auditions, her breakout role in the cult classic NOT ANOTHER TEEN MOVIE, how she went public with her mental health issues and the work she’s done to help others. Plus, Taylor Sw...

Actor John Magaro joins Mase & Sue to discuss his role in the Oscar-nominated film, PAST LIVES. They talk about his shared personal connection with director Celine Song, her brave filmmaking debut, rules she laid out on set, the complex relationship between the main characters, the challenges of shooting an indie film, working with minimalist director/screenwriter Kelly Reichardt on FIRST COW,...

Mase & Sue reveal their favorite movies of 2023. Then Actor/Writer Bryan Greenberg joins  to discuss his directorial debut, JUNCTION, a film he also wrote and stars in, about the modern-day opioid crisis in America, premiering on January 26.  We talk about his personal connection to the subject matter, the process of finding the means to make the film, the research it entailed, mentors that he...

Actor/comedian/writer Chris Estrada returns to the CULTURE POP PODCAST to talk with Mase & Sue about Season 2 of his HULU hit series THIS FOOL. They discuss the darker turn the show takes, the hysterical minutiae, the casting of co-star Frankie Quinones, the old school inspiration for their character’s relationship, working with Michael Imperioli, his punk museum takeover, being featured Esqui...

On this episode of the CULTURE POP PODCAST, entertainment reporter, host of PEOPLE IN 10, Makho Ndlovu joins Mase & Sue to talk about the Emmys. Will JURY DUTY be the Cinderella story spoiler? Can anyone beat Jeremy Allen White for best actor? Will Quinta Brunson add an elusive acting Emmy to her collection? Is SUCCESSION a shoo in? Great performances by Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey in THE LA...

What’s a day in the life of a theater actor? Will Brill joins Mase & Sue on the CULTURE POP PODCAST to talk about his stage career & his role as the ruthless Roy Cohn in the Golden Globe-nominated limited series FELLOW TRAVELERS. They discuss the challenge of portraying a despicable character, the bizarre science fiction, fantasy mystery drama THE OA, working with brilliant creator/showrun...

On this Episode of the CULTURE POP PODCAST Mase & Sue go solo for the last show of 2023. Great conversation about holiday spirit entertainment, LAWRY’s restaurant and what the hell is a medium rare plus steak? Plus, their takes on a few of our favorite and not so favorite films, including PAST LIVES starring  Greta Lee, MAY/DECEMBER with Julianne Moore, Natalie Portman and Charles Melton, RUST...

Broadway, Film and TV star Da’Vine Joy Randolph joins Mase & Sue on the CULTURE POP PODCAST to discuss her Golden Globe-nominated role in Alexander Payne’s warm and brilliantly written film, THE HOLDOVERS. We talk about her love of Turner Classic Movies, Bette Davis’ inspiration for a specific character choice, the mutual trust between actor and director, working with Dominic Sessa in his firs...

On this episode of the CULTURE POP PODCAST actor Matthew Goode and director Matthew Brown join Sue & me to talk about their new provocative film, FREUD’S LAST SESSION, an imaginary conversation between C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud as they debate the existence of God. We discuss adapting a stage play to the screen, how the movie mirrors the world today, the irony of working opposite Anthony Hop...

Showrunner Ron Nyswaner joins Mase & Sue on the CULTURE POP PODCAST to talk about his masterful adaptation of Thomas Mallon’s novel, FELLOW TRAVELERS, Showtime’s historical romance political thriller starring Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey. He shares the rules he set with his writing staff, the creative behind the intimate, honest sex scenes, the significance of the end credits songs, studio e...

On this episode CULTURE POP PODCAST, Mase & Sue delve into the colorful career of filmmaker Andrew Jenks. From creating a film festival at the age of 16, HBO’s bittersweet documentary, ROOM  335 – his life in an assisted living facility, the inspiring MTV doc series, WORLD OF JENKS to the Village Voice endorsed, “Must-see wrongful conviction doc,” Dream/Killer. We also discuss his latest featu...

Screenwriter/Producer/Director Brian Helgeland joins Mase & Sue on the CULTURE POP PODCAST to discuss the road in making his latest film, FINESTKIND, streaming on Paramount+. It is a semi-autobiographical crime thriller starring Tommy Lee Jones, Ben Foster, Toby Wallace and Jenna Ortega. We also talk about his Academy Award-winning adapted screenplay, LA CONFIDENTIAL, his long-standing friends...

Comedian Rita Rudner joins Mase & Sue on the CULTURE POP PODCAST to discuss her path to becoming a stand-up, why she ditched her Broadway dance career, Woody Allen and Jack Benny’s impact on her joke writing, the dynamic of penning scripts with producer husband, Martin Bergman, how he influenced her elegant style of dress on stage and an encounter with former NY Knick, Spencer Hayward. Plus, a...

Author & co-host of the FILMSPOTTING podcast, Josh Larsen joins Mase & Sue on the CULTURE POP PODCAST to discuss Martin Scorcese’s epic western crime drama, KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON, Greta Gerwig’s modern take on BARBIE, and Christopher Nolan’s biographical thriller, OPPENHEIMER. We also talk about his compelling new book, FEAR NOT! A Christian Appreciation of Horror Movies and his edito...