This week Franchesca Ramsey joins Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott to sift through the pop culture chaos that was this week. We’re talking Trisha Paytas’ reincarnation theory following the death of Ozzy Osbourne (yes, really). Also, after the deaths of Osbourne, Cosby Show star Malcolm-Jamal Warner, and Hulk Hugan, could people just stop dying this week?! We also pondered what late night might look like after Stephen Colbert. Finally, influencers got cozy at Elon Musk’s new Hollywood café, do they deser...
Jul 25, 2025•39 min•Ep. 310
The hilarious Mamrie Hart joins Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott to dish on her new vegetarian cookbook, 'All I Think About Is Food'! She sticks around to break down the week's chaos: Beyoncé's stolen music (DON’T LEAVE LUGGAGE UNATTENDED), Trump's bizarre Coke announcement (doesn’t the president have better things to do?), remembering Connie Francis, and the latest ahead of the finale of 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.' Follow Mamrie Hart: https://www.instagram.com/mametown Buy ‘All I Think About Is Foo...
Jul 18, 2025•39 min•Ep. 309
For Sterling K. Brown, part of the appeal of producing and starring in Hulu’s Washington Black (July 23) was mentoring Ernest Kingsley Jr., the young actor playing the title character. “If I’m in a position where I can help somebody get an opportunity to do it, that means a lot to me, because your legacy isn’t just the work that you do, it’s the opportunities that you create for other people,” Brown said. Based on the bestselling novel, Kingsley plays George Washington “Wash” Black, a young boy ...
Jul 18, 2025•20 min•Ep. 308
As a writer and a fan of the original I Know What You Did Last Summer , Sam Lansky knew he wanted to do right by everyone who loved the original before co-writing (with Jennifer Kaytin Robinson) the script for the new reboot of the franchise. “I hope fans will have a really good time, because you will recognize things and be like, ‘Oh sh**, I see what they did there,’ in a way that will feel really fun.” One of the things fans will recognize is the return of some of the original stars. “Both Jen...
Jul 16, 2025•33 min•Ep. 307
When Jean Smart first read the play ‘ Call Me Izzy ,’ she had one response. “I just had to do it.” Smart is taking a break from winning multiple Emmys for her portrayal of Deborah Vance on ‘ Hacks’ to tackle the one-person Broadway show about Isabelle Scutley, a Southern woman trapped in an abusive marriage who, despite it all, finds her voice through writing and humor. Smart spoke with Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott exclusively about what inspired her to take on this endeavor, her inspiration for the...
Jul 10, 2025•30 min•Ep. 306
You're not going to want to miss this one. Sam Sanders, the brilliant host of KCRW's pop culture podcast The Sam Sanders Show, joins Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott to help make sense of a truly chaotic week in news and entertainment. They unpack the complicated and stunning verdict in the Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial and what it means. Then, it's time for some news that has us buzzing: The Devil Wears Prada 2 is a go with the original cast! From one iconic diva to another, we break down the reviews and vi...
Jul 03, 2025•47 min•Ep. 305
Comedian and professional multi-hyphenate Anna Roisman joins Newsweek’s H. Alan for a chaotic-good deep dive into the things that really matter: Zohran Mamdani’s political hotness, Barbra Streisand’s eternal reign, the unhinged world of FYC Emmy campaigning, Anna Wintour stepping down from VOGUE, and—yes—And Just Like That. (Oh, an H. Alan opens a LABUBU, because why not?) It’s a wild ride through pop culture, politics, and prestige TV with one of H. Alan’s funniest friends. See Privacy Policy a...
Jun 27, 2025•35 min•Ep. 305
After the success of M3GAN , Allison Williams didn’t quite fear the stress of doing a sequel. “How lucky are we that we get to do this again? Because it’s a dream job.” In M3GAN 2.0 (June 27), we meet Gemma (Williams) and Cady (Violet McGraw) two years after M3GAN , a lifelike robot doll, turned on the humans she was meant to obey. This time she’s back, but she’s not the only robot doll out for revenge. “One of the great honors of doing a sequel is that the tone is established. People know her v...
Jun 25, 2025•26 min•Ep. 304
Call the palace guards and cancel your brunch plans—Tenderoni is in the house! The mustachioed monarch of drag kings joins Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott to dish on King of Drag, Revry new reality competition series that’s finally giving drag kings the royal treatment. We talk rhinestones, representation, and how Tenderoni went from serving hot looks in Chicago to ruling the Revry runway. It’s glitter, greasepaint, and gender-bending greatness—and yes, there will be LOLz. You’re welcome. Follow Tender...
Jun 20, 2025•31 min•Ep. 303
British diver Tom Daley was thrust onto the world stage at his first Olympic Games in 2008, age 14. What remained hidden from the public was the strain success at a young age put on him. "It was a very lonely period because no one really understood." Daley reflects on his diving career and life in the new documentary Tom Daley: 1.6 Seconds (Olympics.com). "Growing up, you think you know everything.... It's only when you look back, you realize you knew absolutely nothing." Daley also had to conte...
Jun 11, 2025•25 min•Ep. 302
Fortune Feimster is one of the funniest comics working today. (She co-hosts Handsome , one of the most popular podcasts out there.) And if you know her, you know that she loves her doggy. Which is why it makes perfect sense she’s partnering with Greenies to ‘double dog dare you’ to smell your dog’s breath. Why smell your dog's breath? Because 80 percent of dogs develop dental issues by the age of 3, according to the Journal of Veterinary Medical Science. That’s wild! Feimster and I chatted about...
Jun 11, 2025•22 min•Ep. 301
It’s a drag diva summit on the Parting Shot podcast as Kerri Colby, Mistress Isabelle Brooks, Nicole Paige Brooks, and Tina Burner join forces (sort of)—and trade a few (playful?) jabs about their time on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. From the tea to unfiltered opinions, nothing is off-limits with this chat. Expect bold takes and a few reads, as these queens do not hold back. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my...
Jun 07, 2025•23 min•Ep. 300
Asher Grodman joins the Parting Shot podcast to talk about life (and afterlife) on CBS’s hit comedy Ghosts. From his fan-favorite role as Trevor to the show’s growing awards recognition this season, Grodman shares how it feels to be part of a series that’s truly come alive. He also dishes on his strategic—and hilarious—use of the ghost 👻 emoji on social media. (So funny.) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-in...
Jun 06, 2025•37 min•Ep. 299
Jersey Shore, a reality television show that sparked backlash from politicians when it first aired, is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a new season of Jersey Shore Family Vacation . And while Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino is a fan favorite, after a six year hiatus being off reality television, he wasn’t sure people would like the new person he became. Newsweek’s Jenni Fink joins H. Alan Scott for this chat with Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino. Read Jenni’s feature on Mike here: https://w...
May 29, 2025•23 min•Ep. 298
Four tech CEOs, drunk on power, reunite at a mountaintop home amid a global economic crisis they might be partially responsible for. "There is a power that is purchased by money, where they don't have to apologize for their behavior," Cory Michael Smith says about playing Venis in Jesse Armstrong's HBO film Mountainhead (May 31). "A lot of these guys probably grew up not being the coolest kids in class." Part of the struggle for Smith was finding the space between drama and comedy. "Figuring out...
May 29, 2025•31 min•Ep. 297
Darren Criss is an Emmy-winning actor, but deep down he's a musical theater nerd. Which is why he's so proud to be part of this year's Tony-nominated musical Maybe Happy Ending. "Everybody involved in [Broadway], we all work within a 10-some-odd block radius, and it is really like a campus celebration." For Criss, who plays Oliver, a robot in futuristic Seoul in love with another robot, Claire (played by Helen J. Shen), it's "nothing short of a miracle." "You kind of hope for this your whole lif...
May 28, 2025•43 min•Ep. 296
Everyone remembers life's growing pains right after you leave your parents' home. For Jack Innanen, part of the ensemble of the new FX series Adults, there are certain things that made him feel like an adult really quick. "Tax season and when I'm working on my visa, those ones get me locked in. I'm like, 'Oh, I'm a man in the eyes of the government.'" Before Innanen was cast as Paul Baker on Adults—only the second project he auditioned for after moving to New York City from Canada—he was best kn...
May 28, 2025•24 min•Ep. 295
Survivor 48 winner Kyle Fraser joins runners-up Eva Erickson and Joe Hunter for their post-finale showdown—and yes, we talk about Kyle's secret alliance with Kamilla that helped him torch the final tribal. (And yes, we talked about his caked-up backside and how that helped him win a million dollars.) Meanwhile, Eva and Joe break down their ride-or-die public alliance and how they maintained it until the end without ever having to go mean. Eva opens up about how her being open about her autism he...
May 23, 2025•32 min•Ep. 294
Join a hilarious chat with Michael Henry and Tim Murray as they spill the tea on their OutTV series Wish You Were Queer . From outrageous moments to behind-the-scenes antics, the duo dives into the chaos that fuels their comedy. (And how Trixie Mattel feels about their travels.) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
May 21, 2025•30 min•Ep. 293
We’re serving a double dose of glam and gossip with RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars queens Phoenix and Olivia Lux. From werkroom whispers to main stage moments, we’re unpacking it all—growth, glow-ups, and a little bit of shade. Olivia spills on finding her voice beyond the glitz, Phoenix gets real about legacy and evolution, and of course, we talk about this new format of All Stars. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-se...
May 17, 2025•22 min•Ep. 292
On this episode of the Parting Shot, Summer House’s Imrul Hassan shares his powerful story of navigating life while previously being undocumented. Speaking with Newsweek’s Jenni Fink, Hassan gets vulnerable about his journey to citizenship, and why he felt it was important to talk about it on one of Bravo's most popular shows. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
May 17, 2025•40 min•Ep. 291
How did Alexander Skarsgård prepare to play a security robot that starts to find free will in Apple TV+’s Murderbot (May 16)? “Well, I’ve spent 48 years being emotionally unavailable. That’s a good start.” [ laughs ] Skarsgård plays the titular character Murderbot, which must hide its ability for free thought while tackling dangerous assignments for the humans it has been assigned to. Oh, and it binge watches a fictional soap opera. “I think Murderbot watches [ The Rise and Fall of ] Sanctuary M...
May 14, 2025•20 min•Ep. 289
With WorldPride descending on D.C., we’re diving deep into a powerful and often overlooked corner of queer history. Jonathan Edelman, Collections Curator, and Sarah Leavitt, Director of Curatorial Affairs at the Capital Jewish Museum joins Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott to explore their groundbreaking exhibit: LGBT Jews in the Federal City. We discuss the stories behind the artifacts, the intersections of Jewish and LGBTQ+ identities, and how queer Jewish Washingtonians have shaped the city’s cultural...
May 14, 2025•37 min•Ep. 290
Diego Boneta knew he wanted to write a sexy, steamy murder mystery for his first novel. “And I also really wanted it to be a novel that was a great summer read.” That’s exactly what he’s done with The Undoing of Alejandro Velasco . Set in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, the story follows a mysterious young man, Julian Villareal, who arrives at the estate of his friend and tennis rival, Alejandro Velasco, after his sudden death. “You think he’s this super rich kid from Mexico City, who’s studying ...
May 07, 2025•30 min•Ep. 288
Shortly before Kelsey Grammer rose to fame playing Dr. Frasier Crane on Cheers and then Frasier, he experienced a horrible personal tragedy: His 18-year-old older sister Karen was brutally murdered in 1975. “The grief was so enormous. I don’t blame anybody for grieving to that extent, I get it.” And now he’s memorializing Karen’s memory—and searching for answers—in Karen: A Brother Remembers (May 6). He says the book “came from what is a shared sadness, a depth of sadness that we have to go thro...
May 06, 2025•28 min•Ep. 286
Join H. Alan Scott as he sits down with the creators of the wildly popular Jolly YouTube channel, Josh Carrott and Ollie Kendal. In this lively and hilarious conversation, they dive into their incredible journey through American and international food scenes. From their genuine love of food to the powerful friendship that fuels their global adventures, Josh and Ollie open up about the joy they find in every culinary experience. Plus, watch their priceless reactions as they try American classics ...
May 02, 2025•18 min•Ep. 287
He’s charming, he’s dangerous, and he’s back for one last time. Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott chats with Penn Badgley to talk all things You—from Joe Goldberg’s twisted evolution to the shocking elements of the final season. Penn opens up about the psychological toll of playing TV’s most lovable stalker, what fans can expect from the show’s explosive conclusion, and how it feels to finally say goodbye to one of the most complicated characters on television. Spoilers? Not really. Fascinating? Definite...
Apr 25, 2025•22 min•Ep. 285
Get ready to go “My Heart Will Go On” levels deep with the fabulously creative (and genius) minds behind the Céline Dion-inspired musical Titanique! Tye Blue, Constantine Rousouli, and Marla Mindelle—Titanique’s powerhouse creative team—chat with Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott on how they turned one of the biggest blockbusters of all time into a campy, musical fever dream. We talk Céline, comedy, chaos, and how they managed to blend iconic 90s nostalgia with pitch-perfect parody. Watch the full chat: ...
Apr 23, 2025•18 min•Ep. 284
The road to the RuPaul's Drag Race Season 17 finale has been one of wild challenges and shifting dynamics. Now, after months of lip-syncs and legendary shade, the final four queens—Onya Nurve, Lexi Love, Sam Star and Jewels Sparkles—are preparing to step onto the runway one last time, ready to claim the crown. In an exclusive interview with Newsweek, the finalists opened up about their emotional journeys, fan reactions, behind-the-scenes moments and what they've learned along the way. These are ...
Apr 18, 2025•22 min•Ep. 283
Ted Lasso’s Brett Goldstein is “on a c*** mission.” [laughs] Not really, but sort of? In his first stand-up special, Brett Goldstein: The Second Best Night of Your Life (HBO, April 26), the Emmy-winning actor muses about British people’s casual use of the C-word, and other things. Goldstein is quick to point out, “I owe everything to Ted Lasso.” “It completely changed my life. I had done stand-up for 17 years and probably the most people that would come and see me was 200. Then, because of Ted L...
Apr 16, 2025•26 min•Ep. 282