THE HOLLYWOOD PODCAST

Oscar-nominated director/writer Jessica Sanders, writer Avi Rothman (PALM ROYALE, BARB & STAR, WONDER WOMAN 1984), and actor Vivian Bang (ALWAYS BE MY MAYBE, THE PARENTING) is the team behind the Tribeca-selected short film I WANT TO FEEL FUN which is set to have its’ world premiere at the festival. The short - along with Vivian and Avi - stars Simon Rex and Esther Povitsky, and is about one d...

Ernesto Dìaz Espinoza, Scott Adkins, and Marko Zaror is the team behind the new action thriller film Diablo, now playing in limited theaters and available to rent & buy on digital. In the film, Adkins stars as Kris Chaney, a warrior who seizes the daughter of a Colombian gangster to fulfill a noble promise to the young girl’s mother. When her father enlists both the criminal underworld and the...

Toni Barton is the production designer behind the Peacock original miniseries “FIGHT NIGHT: THE MILLION DOLLAR HEIST" based on the 2020 podcast of the same name fictionalizing an actual armed robbery at an Atlanta party on the night of Muhammad Ali's October 1970 comeback fight after being stripped of his boxing license in 1967 for being a conscientious objector to fighting in the Vietnam...

8-time Emmy winner Jodi Mancuso is the hair department head for Saturday Night Live. She's been with SNL for 24 years. 10-time Emmy winner Louie Zakarian is the make up department head for Saturday Night Live. He's been with SNL for 30 years. In this interview, they share insights into working on the landmark 50th season of SNL, the anniversary concert & three-hour special, and the pol...

Composer Gavin Brivik recently scored MAX's series  The Pitt, starring Noah Wyle. In addition to scoring the show, Gavin also co-wrote the end credit song, “Fail Forward” with singer/songwriter Taji. The 15-part drama explores the challenges facing healthcare workers in today’s America with each episode following an hour of the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital emergency room’s chief attendan...

Craig Perry is the producer of FINAL DESTINATION BLOODLINES, the latest installment in the FINAL DESTINATION franchise. The film has broken box office records as having the highest grossing opening at the box office in the franchise as well as the biggest opening for an R rated horror film since the pandemic. Craig's other credits include the all of the other Final Destination films, the American...

Rob Lowry has cemented himself as one of the most sought-after music supervisors in the industry today, with credits including The Lost City, the black comedy slasher Freaky, Sundance darling Cha Cha Real Smooth, Netflix doc Hal & Harper, and Max’s cultural sensation Gossip Girl. In 2025, he continues to push boundaries with films  like Companion (New Line), Heart Eyes (Spyglass/Sony), Novocai...

Antonique Smith⁠ is a Grammy-nominated singer, actress & activist. You may know her from Notorious (as Faith Evans) or as Mimi in Rent on Broadway. She has kicked off 2025 with a reimagined version of the anthem, Love Song to the Earth, which is now streaming. The track, originally released in 2015, features stars like Sir Paul McCartney, Sean Paul, and Jon Bon Jovi, and highlights Antonique’s...

Elisabeth Vastola is the costume designer of the new Amazon supernatural series THE BONDSMAN starring Kevin Bacon. "The Bondsman" follows a resurrected bounty hunter, who is tasked by the Devil to capture and return demons escaping Hell, while also seeking a second chance at life, love, and his musical career.  Elisabeth’s other credits include “Daredevil,” “Jessica Jones” and “Twisted M...

Political journalists & authors Amie Parnes and Jonathan Allen are out with their fourth book together, FIGHT: INSIDE THE WILDEST BATTLE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE, which chronicles the unprecedented 2024 presidential election. Putting you in the room of the Biden, Harris & Trump campaigns, Parnes' & Allen's extensive reporting includes over 100 interviews with campaign officials focusing on...

Actor Page Kennedy - most known for his past film & television roles in The Meg franchise, Weeds, and Desperate Housewives - is now out with his latest film, A BREED APART. The film is about a woman named Violet who accepts an invitation to a private island with some of the world's most famous social media influencers. However, she soon becomes part of her own horrific reality show when th...

Actor John Ortiz is best known for his roles in films such as Fast & Furious, Fast & Furious 6, Alien v Predator: Requiem, Silver Linings Playbook, Kong: Skull Island, Bumblebee, American Fiction, and Promised Land. Now, he’s out with his latest project - the documentary THE DIAMOND KING now available on VOD. The film is a tribute to America’s Baseball  pastime and the legacy of trailblazi...

Actor Brandon T Jackson discusses his latest film I’M BEGINNING TO SEE THE LIGHT, now available to own or rent. The film is about a journey of self-discovery where a once-renowned jazz trumpeter’s life (played by Jack Huston) unravels after a tragic loss. Jackson stars alongside Huston, Abbie Cornish, Lucy Punch, Jamie Chung, and Mark Boone Junior. Jackson's previous credits include Roll Bounc...

Actress Jamie Chung, known for her roles in films such as Grown Ups 2 and The Hangover Part II as well as TV shows like Once Upon a Time and Dexter: Next Blood, is now out with her latest film I’M BEGINNING TO SEE THE LIGHT, now available to own and rent. The film is about a journey of self-discovery where a once-renowned jazz trumpeter’s life (played by Jack Huston) unravels after a tragic loss....

George Stevens Jr is a writer, director, producer, playwright, and author whose dedication to the preservation & celebration of American film spans over the last 60 years. He is the founder of the American Film Institute, creator of the AFI Life Achievement Award, and co-creator of the Kennedy Center Honors. George is the recipient of an Honorary Oscar, two Peabody Awards, 14 Emmys, and 8 WGA...

Hair & make up designer Helen Magelaki's previous credits include The Great Gatsby, Mad Max Fury Road, Thor: Love and Thunder, Late Night with the Devil, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and how she’s out with her latest project, the Netflix limited series APPLE CIDER VINEGAR which is based on a true story about two young women who advocate for wellness remedies to cure deadly illnesses,...

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Leroy Sanchez, whose presence on YouTube has amassed over 600 million views and 4 million subscribers, is now out with his brand new debut album "Sorry For The Chaos” featuring his hit single NUCLEAR. With a soulful voice and captivating performances, Sanchez has captivated audiences worldwide and earned a dedicated fan base. Hailing from Spain, Sanchez first broke...

Director Peter Segal discusses the milestone 30th anniversary of his 90s classic buddy comedy film TOMMY BOY starring Chris Farley and David Spade. Farley & Spade make up one of cinema’s funniest on-screen pairings as two drastically different personalities on a hellish road trip to save a family business. Produced by Lorne Michaels, TOMMY BOY has now achieved cult status as it continues to at...

Director James Griffiths and writers & stars Tom Basden & Tim Key are out with the new film THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND playing now in theaters. The film is about eccentric lottery winner Charles (played by Tim) who dreams of getting his favorite musicians back together (played by Tom and Carey Mulligan). The fantasy becomes real when the bandmates/former lovers agree to play a private sho...

Jonathan Gruber who is the director of the new documentary 'Centered: Joe Lieberman' which chronicles the remarkable career of Senator Joe Lieberman. The film highlights, how, as a bipartisan public servant, he navigated the tumultuous world of American politics from his early days in the CT State Senate to being Attorney General to being in the Senate and almost becoming the first Jewish...

Luna Sophia Miranda stars in the 5-time Oscar-winning film Anora directed by Sean Baker. She plays Lulu, a friend of Anora’s at the strip club where they both work. Winner of 5 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director for Baker, and Best Actress for Mikey Madison, the film also won the DGA, PGA, and WGA Awards.

For our pre-Oscars episode, Variety's Jenelle Riley joins me to discuss our final predictions going into Hollywood's Biggest Night. Riley is the Deputy Awards and Features Editor at Variety. She has received two Emmy Awards for her work on Variety/PBS’ “Actors on Actors” series. She regularly hosts Q&As for Academy & guild members during awards season.

Newly-minted Oscar nominated filmmakers Hossein Molayemi & Shirin Sohani are nominated for their animated short IN THE SHADOW OF THE CYPRESS. The film is about a former army captain living in an isolated house by the sea, & suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder which leads to him struggling to connect with his daughter who he lives with.

Director Cindy Lee and producer Darwin Shaw are Oscar-nominated in the category of Best Live Action Short for their film THE LAST RANGER which explores rhino poaching and conservation efforts in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.

Filmmaker Kim A. Snyder is nominated for Best Documentary Short Film for her film DEATH BY NUMBERS. The film chronicles school shooter survivor Sam Fuentes from the Parkland School shooting in 2018 as she prepares to confront her assailant in a poetic journey of empowerment while also reckoning with existential questions with how she’ll live the rest of her life coping with that terrible day.