The NO NOTES Podcast

Shōgun , Baby Reindeer , Arcane and more! 2024 turned out to be a STRONG year for TV, but it wasn't without its disappointments too. Sena Adjei returns to the pod, as he and Schmear analyze why this felt like an off year for the medium (1:28) , before the two begin their countdowns of the 10 best shows of the year (20:49) . They wrap up answering some fun questions like favorite episode, most memo...

Celebrating one of the best shows of the decade, the lovely slice-of-life sitcom ' Somebody Somewhere, ' with its creators Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen . Schmear is joined by Hannah and Paul to discuss the origins of ' Somebody Somewhere,' working with the inimitable Bridget Everett , their favorite moments from the show , and whether we’ll collectively be okay now that this miraculous series has e...

Celebrating one of the best shows of the decade, the lovely slice-of-life sitcom ' Somebody Somewhere, ' with its creators Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen . First, Schmear runs through his picks for the absolute best performances of the year—first in the world of TV (2:52) , then in film (12:50) . Then, he’s joined by Hannah and Paul to discuss the origins of ' Somebody Somewhere' (25:49) , working wi...

Justin Kuritzkes dives into one of the year’s best, most bizarre films, ' Queer .' He discusses adapting William S. Burroughs , collaborating with Guadagnino , the meaning of Queer , the noir genre, and his favorite film of the year. Host: Gabriel Frieberg Guests: Justin Kuritzkes Producer: Pavlo Melnyk Music: Justin Friedman FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠...

' Challengers ' screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes returns to the pod to discuss his latest re-teaming with Luca Guadagnino for the surreal, mind-bending ' Queer ,' starring Daniel Craig . First, Teddy Kim joins for the final installment of ' Say Nothing ' recaps (3:22) , breaking down episodes 7 (6:31) , 8 (13:15) , and 9 (20:38) , sharing overall thoughts, and debating whether the series was a succes...

' Say Nothing' showrunner Josh Zetumer joins the SchmearCast to discuss the adaptation process, the flair each episode director brings to the series, his favorite political thrillers, and much more. Host: Gabriel Frieberg Guests: Teddy Kim, Josh Zetumer Producer: Pavlo Melnyk Music: Justin Friedman FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Continuing our recapping and reviewing of one of 2024’s best shows, FX’s ' Say Nothing,' plus an interview with series creator Josh Zetumer ! Teddy Kim rejoins the show to analyze episodes 4 (2:20) , 5 (12:45) , and 6 (17:40) of the series, how well it’s adapting Patrick Radden Keefe ’s award-winning book, the performances, and an overall temp check on how we’re liking the series so far. Then, ' S...

The two biggest movies in the world are ‘ Wicked ’ and ‘ Gladiator II .’ Sena Adjei joins the show to discuss 2000’s ‘ Gladiator ’ (2:58) , what Ridley Scott ’s new sequel gets right and wrong (22:29) , and the performances from Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington . Then, he and Schmear turn their eyes to the sky to talk about Jon M. Chu ’s ‘ Wicked ’ (47:20) , if their expectations were met in term...

Latvian filmmaker Gints Zilbalodis — director of one of the year’s best films, ' Flow '— joins the show for an in-depth chat about his stirring new movie, his thoughts on Miyazaki comparisons, and his favorite animated films of all time. Host: Gabriel Frieberg Guests: Gints Zilbalodis Producer: Pavlo Melnyk Music: Justin Friedman FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd...

Exploring FX’s ' Say Nothing ,' an adaptation of Patrick Radden Keefe ’s award-winning account of Ireland’s Troubles and one of the year’s standout shows. Teddy Kim rejoins the pod to unpack what makes the series so compelling (03:48) , followed by a recap and review of episodes 1 (17:01) , 2 (23:20) , and 3 (27:36) . Later, Sena Adjei stops by to discuss the premiere of Max’s ' Dune: Prophecy' (4...

Film Stage critic Luke Hicks joins Schmear to break down two fresh releases exploring religion in very different ways. First up is ' Heretic ,' A24’s new horror thriller starring Hugh Grant , penned by the writers of A Quiet Place (3:17) . They dig into Grant ’s performance and the film's twisty, puzzle-box style. Then, they turn to the understated gem ' Small Things Like These , ' a quiet yet pow...

First some thoughts on the troubled release of Clint Eastwood ’s new legal drama, ' Juror #2 ,' starring Nicholas Hoult (4:43). Why did Warner Bros. seemingly bury the film, and is it worth a watch? Then, Daily Telegraph critic and author Tim Robey joins to chat about his delightful new book, ' Box Office Poison: Hollywood’s Story in a Century of Flops.' (13:27) He and Schmear dive into the wild b...

'Anora' and ' Red Rocket ' producer Alex Coco sits with The Schmear for an exclusive interview. Coco shares what it’s like working with Sean Baker , when he knew star Mikey Madison had the “it” factor, and what it’s like for ' Anora' to be called “American New Wave." Host: Gabriel Frieberg Guests: Alex Coco Producer: Samuel Eromo Music: Justin Friedman FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Calling all the cardinals for a ' Conclave .' Real-life Catholic and manager/producer Will Iannaccone rejoins the show to break down the new Ralph Fiennes papal thriller (2:20) . He and Schmear parse the strengths and weaknesses of the film, discuss its reception (34:23) , and do an actor re-draft to see if they can improve Edward Berger ’s movie (39:44) . Then, ' Anora' and ' Red Rocket 'producer...

Acclaimed artist and now-director Titus Kaphar joins to talk about his brilliant, heartbreaking debut film ' Exhibiting Forgiveness ,' starring André Holland ( 40:36 ). Kaphar shares his muses, lessons learned on set, what art films get right and wrong, and the filmmakers inspiring him today. Host: Gabriel Frieberg Guests: Titus Kaphar Producer: Pavlo Melnyk Music: Justin Friedman FOLLOW ON SOCIAL...

'Anora ,' one of the most dazzling films of the year, has hit theaters, and helping to break it all down is producer Casey Durant (2:09) . She and Schmear dive into what makes the film special, from Sean Baker ’s direction to Mikey Madison ’s star-making performance. They debate the film’s ending ( 27:52 ) and discuss its potential awards run ( 37:00 ). Then, acclaimed artist and now-director Titu...

Take a time machine to 1970s New York with two new films set in the era: Jason Reitman ’s ' Saturday Night ,' a tribute to SNL , and Ali Abbasi ’s Donald Trump biopic, ' The Apprentice .' Screenwriter Teddy Kim joins Schmear to break down Reitman ’s film (2:38) , discussing its strengths, shortcomings, standout performances, and whether it reveals anything new about SNL ’s enigmatic leader, Lorne...

(Posted October 9th) 'Industry' creators and directors Konrad Kay and Mickey Down stop by for an in-depth, exclusive conversation. Sena Adjei and Jesse Aaronson join to grill the duo on the characters, the series' message, Season 4 plans, and their favorite needle-drops in the show. Host: Gabriel Frieberg Guests: Mickey Down, Konrad Kay, Sena Adjei, Jesse Aaronson Producer: Pavlo Melnyk Music: Jus...

'Industry' creators and directors Konrad Kay and Mickey Down stop by for an in-depth, exclusive conversation. But first, critic, filmmaker, and YouTuber Karsten Runquist joins Schmear to dissect the disastrously received ' Joker: Folie à Deux ' (3:40) . They reminisce on 2019’s ' Joker' before diving into Todd Phillips ’ new sequel, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga . Schmear makes the case f...

Dissecting the dreamy, devastating, thrilling finale of ' Industry ' S3, one of the finest seasons of TV in recent memory. Sena Adjei and Jesse Aaronson rejoin the show to break down E3 S8 “Infinite Largesse,” the show’s highest rated episode to date ( 2:35 ). The guys analyze and recap the episode before picking winners and losers of the season and taking stock of what ' Industry ' represents in...

The institution definitely doesn’t suffer in this recap and review of Industry S3 E7 "Useful Idiot" (2:34) . Jesse Aaronson and Sena Adjei return to the podcast to break down the lines of the episode, Yas and Robert’s road trip, and Eric Tao’s shocking final move. Then, a brief check-in on HBO’s new, Colin Farrell -led series The Penguin and if it’s hitting the right notes (47:24) . Last...

Breaking down the highlights and lowlights of TIFF 2024 with Elissa Suh of MOVIEPUDDING as she and Schmear recount the festival vibes (2:06) , the films that disappointed them (10:46) , and their top 5 favorites (18:43) . Then, Sena Adjei and Jesse Aaronson re-join the show to break down the explosive S3 E6 of Industry , Nikki Beach, or: So Many Ways to Lose (45:00) . They discuss the resolution t...

Are you a company man? Jesse Aaronson joins Schmear as they sip some Ayahuasca and discuss Industry S3 E5, “Company Man,” recapping the episode, breaking down the power dynamics at play, and analyzing Rob’s trippy dream (1:49) . Schmear then recaps the first few days at TIFF, reporting on films like Conclave with Ralph Fiennes , A24’s new Hugh Grant horror film Heretic , P amela Anderson ’s star t...

S3 E4 of ' Industry ,' titled "White Mischief," could easily be renamed "A Very Rishi Christmas." Fan favorite Rishi Ramdani ( Sagar Radia ) takes center stage in this tense, Uncut Gems-style episode, delivering one of the most gripping hours of TV this year. Sena Adjei joins the show to break down the episode, dive into Rishi's character, and explore the deeper mea...

(Posted August 28th) Filmmaker Nathan Silver discusses his incredible new film, ' Between the Temples ,' and chats about Jason Schwartzman ’s unforgettable performance, Jewish American comedy, and his ideal bagel order. Host: Gabriel Frieberg Guest: Nathan Silver Producer: Pavlo Melnyk Music: Justin Friedman FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...