What do you do when Hollywood wants you to be one thing, but you have a wholly different outlook about yourself? For Chris Pine, breaking the mold of expectations meant creating the new film Poolman (May 10). “Believe it or not, it’s probably the most personal thing I’ve ever made.” And it should be, considering he not only stars in it as Darren Barrenman, a colorful pool man on a mission to protect the city—and the pool—he loves, but Pine also co-wrote and directed the film. The idea for it is ...
May 08, 2024•33 min•Ep. 167
After a nearly two-year hiatus, the Max-original Emmy Award-winning series ‘Hacks’ is back. And Hannah Einbinder, who plays Ava, the comedy writer to legendary—and difficult—stand-up comic Deborah Vance (Jean Smart), used the time off to figure out how to be a person again. “I went on the road, I did stand-up, but I kind of had to fill in the rest of my time with various hobbies and things. It made me go like, ‘OK, I gotta like be a person. Do sh** that isn’t just work,’” Einbinder told Newsweek...
May 02, 2024•28 min•Ep. 166
For Eugenio Derbez, making the transition from being one of Mexico’s most recognizable faces in comedy to the American market was not easy. “We don’t laugh at the same things. Humor in Mexico and in the U.S. is completely different. I had to reinvent myself,” Derbez told Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott. He’s done a good job of reinventing himself because his Apple TV+ series ‘ Acapulco’ (May 1) is now in its third season. “I’m so glad that the series is bilingual and it’s getting its third season.” The...
May 01, 2024•20 min•Ep. 165
Because of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race,’ drag has exploded. But what is often lost with all this drag we’re seeing on our televisions are the stories from small-town America, what’s really happening in cities that are sometimes overlooked and where, often, these “drag bans” are popping up. That’s where HBO Max’s ‘We’re Here’ comes in. ‘We’re Here’ shows drag superstars going to small cities to put on a drag show, but along the way stories are told that you rarely here. Stories about the struggles of bei...
Apr 26, 2024•47 min•Ep. 164
Reality TV has changed the landscape of not only television, but also pop culture. Its impact can be felt in every aspect of our lives, and—as some would argue—its impact may have even led to the election of former President Donald Trump. That’s a huge impact. (Or should we say, ‘yuge.’) Considering this, what is the state of reality TV? Where are we at with shows like ‘Survivor,’ ‘The Real Housewives’ and ‘Traitors’? To discuss this, Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott invited reality TV expert Kate Casey...
Apr 24, 2024•45 min•Ep. 163
If you’re a fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race, then this episode of the Parting Shot podcast is for you. Not only will Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott be chatting with the season 16 top three finalists Sapphira Cristál, Nymphia Wind and Plane Jane, he’ll also chat with Q and Tia Kofi, who was just recently crowned the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK vs. the World. Sound off who you think will win RuPaul’s Drag Race season 16 before the finale airs. Visit Newsweek.com to learn more about the podcasts we offer ...
Apr 17, 2024•50 min•Ep. 162
Penn and Kim Holderness are widely celebrated for their entertaining viral parody videos (singing included!) on topics ranging from parenting and helping kids with homework and masking up for the pandemic (to the tune of the Hamilton soundtrack) to “stupid” healthy habits and everything in between. Now, Penn and Kim are tackling a serious subject close to their hearts in their new book, ‘ADHD IS AWESOME.’ It’s a lively but informative dive into what the ADHD brain is and systems and strategies t...
Apr 12, 2024•38 min•Ep. 161
If you’re one of the millions of Americans singing the praises of ABC’s ‘Abbott Elementary,’ fear not, they’ve heard you. “We love to hear it,” says Chris Perfetti, who plays Jacob Hill on the Emmy-winning sitcom about teachers at a Philadelphia public school. As for the show’s success, “it’s everything I’ve dreamt of as an actor.” For Perfetti, finding how to play Jacob didn’t start with studying teachers. “At the end of the day, they’re just human beings and teaching is their job.” Now in its ...
Apr 10, 2024•25 min•Ep. 160
A Jew accidentally stumbles upon a gathering of white nationalists. For most, this would be a cause for concern, but for Alex Edelman it’s an opportunity for a hit one-man comedy show. “I always wanted to be a stand-up. I always thought that stand-up was the most fun, cool, delightful thing.” Edelman’s new HBO comedy special Just for Us (April 6) follows his successful Broadway run, where the comedian shares the impact this accidental meeting had on him. “I’d never want to be famous, but I’ve al...
Apr 05, 2024•29 min•Ep. 159
If there’s one thing that’s true about Gillian Anderson, it’s that she isn’t afraid of a challenge. And that’s exactly what she’s doing in her new film, tackling the role of journalist Emily Maitlis in Netflix’s ‘Scoop’ (April 5), which documents the team behind the bombshell 2019 BBC interview with Prince Andrew over his involvement with Jeffrey Epstein. For Anderson, who won an Emmy for playing Margaret Thatcher in ‘The Crown,’ she didn’t see it as another project about the royal family. “It w...
Apr 03, 2024•29 min•Ep. 158
Comedy legend Jane Lynch stops by to talk with Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott about hosting ‘The Weakest Link,’ and she looks back at some her iconic performances in ‘Glee,’ ‘Best in Show,’ and ‘Only Murders in the Building.’ Honestly, the story she shares about Jennifer Coolidge is just everything. Visit Newsweek.com to learn more about the podcasts we offer and to catch up on the latest news. While you’re there, subscribe to Newsweek’s ‘ For the Culture newsletter. Follow H. Alan Scott on everything...
Mar 27, 2024•22 min•Ep. 157
Describing Ramy Youssef’s work isn’t easy, because the multi-hyphenated talent refuses to settle on just one thing. “I feel really inspired to connect in the way that it makes sense.” That started out with stand-up, but has since morphed into acting, writing, directing and producing. The New Jersey native’s next endeavor, right on the heels of his appearance in the Oscar-winning film ‘Poor Things,’ is a new stand-up special called ‘More Feelings.’ “I'm definitely living on a prayer, and that's p...
Mar 22, 2024•27 min•Ep. 156
How much do we really know about the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln? That’s a question Tobias Menzies hopes to answer in Apple TV+’s ‘Manhunt’ (March 15). “The thing that really struck me was the newness of the nation, that it wasn’t really all knitted together properly, it was still so raw.” Menzies plays Edwin Stanton, the U.S. Secretary of War under Lincoln, as he leads the manhunt for John Wilkes Booth. As a Brit, Menzies says “it’s not without its trepidation to take on these im...
Mar 20, 2024•23 min•Ep. 155
Bringing the life story of activist Shirley Chisholm to screen wasn’t an easy task for Regina King. “This has been a labor of love. My sister [Reina] and I have been at this for close to 15 years now.” Netflix’s Shirley (March 22) focuses on Chisholm’s long shot 1972 presidential campaign after she became the first Black woman elected to Congress. At times isolated from movements she had advocated for, like the women’s rights movement—which “was very disappointing and heartbreaking for her”—King...
Mar 15, 2024•29 min•Ep. 154
James Marsden is good at keeping fans on their toes. Following his Emmy-nominated success with ‘Jury Duty,’ Marsden has three very different projects in 2024, the first being Michael Keaton’s ‘Knox Goes Away’ (March 15). “I like to take opportunities that are very different tone, and this was just like, ‘Wow, you’re in the company of great people here and how would I ever say no to this?’” Later this year he’ll star in ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3.’ He says part of the franchise’s success is that they’...
Mar 13, 2024•36 min•Ep. 153
Well, the day has arrived, we have a winner of season two of Peacock’s ‘The Traitors.’ Or is it winners? Well, you’ll just have to listen to Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott talk exclusively with them. (You see how we’re intentionally not revealing their name or names? You’re welcome!) Visit Newsweek.com to learn more about the podcasts we offer and to catch up on the latest news. While you’re there, subscribe to Newsweek’s ‘ For the Culture newsletter. Follow H. Alan Scott on everything at @HAlanScott....
Mar 08, 2024•25 min•Ep. 152
Understanding the balance between dark comedy and mystery is a unique quality of Annette Bening, which she puts to good use in Peacock’s limited series Apples Never Fall (March 14), based on Liane Moriarty’s book. “Everybody has a secret, and that’s fun.” Bening plays Joy Delaney, the matriarch of a seemingly perfect family who suddenly disappears. “Even in the best comedies, there’s a deep dis-ease inside of people that we’re trying to dramatize.” In typical Bening style, she’s able to show thi...
Mar 06, 2024•32 min•Ep. 151
Whatever you do, don’t call Gayle King an icon. “Diana Ross, to me, is an icon.” Fair. But one moniker she is fine with is America’s best friend. “I’ll take that as a compliment. I like that.” And it fits, considering her many titles: center anchor of CBS Mornings , editor at large of Oprah Daily , co-host of CNN’s King Charles . “ If I get five [hours of sleep a night], I'm doing the hula.” At CBS Mornings , it’s the combination of King, Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson that creates a dynamic un...
Mar 01, 2024•27 min•Ep. 150
A new season of CBS’ Survivor is upon us, and former player Rob Cesternino stopped by to talk with Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott about the new season, his recent chat with Jeff Probst, and his crazy popular podcast Rob Has a Podcast. Visit Newsweek.com to learn more about the podcasts we offer and to catch up on the latest news. While you’re there, subscribe to Newsweek’s ‘ For the Culture newsletter. Follow H. Alan Scott on everything at @HAlanScott. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy a...
Feb 28, 2024•30 min•Ep. 149
YouTube star Grace Helbig talks with Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott about her recent breast cancer diagnosis and everything she’s learned since. Grace and H. Alan have been friends for years, but one thing they never thought they’d have in common would be cancer. They chat about that, what it was like to go to the same chemo center in Beverly Hills, and all the things that cancer has taught them. Visit Newsweek.com to learn more about the podcasts we offer and to catch up on the latest news. While you...
Feb 23, 2024•55 min•Ep. 148
Carrie Preston is ready to step into the spotlight. The Emmy-winning veteran character actress will helm the title role in Elsbeth on CBS (February 29), playing Elsbeth Tascioni, a character she originated 14 years ago on The Good Wife and its spinoff The Good Fight . “When this part came along, what was happening on the page was so extraordinary for television, because she was so unusual.” We now find the colorful lawyer assisting the NYPD in solving crimes. “People don’t quite know what to do ...
Feb 21, 2024•28 min•Ep. 147
Survivor’s Parvati Shallow chats with Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott about being discovered as a traitor on Peacock’s ‘The Traitors,’ why she aligned with Big Brother’s Dan Gheesling against Phaedra Parks from ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta,’ The Bachelor’s Peter Weber game play, and those iconic headbands. Stick with the Parting Shot, because we’ll be having lots more chats with players from ‘The Traitors.’ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art1...
Feb 16, 2024•19 min•Ep. 146
We’re in the middle of a Jodie Foster renaissance. The two-time Oscar winner is not only starring in one of the hottest limited series on TV right now, HBO’s True Detective: Night Country , but also picked up yet another Oscar nomination for her performance in Netflix’s Nyad . For True Detective , Foster responded to the balance between drama and horror, which she says is partly due to the landscape of where it’s set: Alaska. “That primitive connection with nature and 80 percent of the populatio...
Feb 16, 2024•26 min•Ep. 146
Celebrated director Rob Reiner is worried about the rise of Christian nationalism—the use of Christian values to push a political agenda—and its impact on democracy. “A lot of people are unwittingly being drawn into this movement,” Reiner told Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott. To highlight this, Reiner teamed up with director Dan Partland to produce the documentary God & Country (February 16). “We have to make a distinction between Christianity and Christian nationalism, because you’ll see that we h...
Feb 14, 2024•34 min•Ep. 145
It’s Super Bowl weekend, which, if you’re not into sports, what are you supposed to do? Well, Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott offers his tips on how to survive the game during your Super Bowl party. He also breaks down what to watch this weekend if you want to avoid the Super Bowl, and honestly, the one thing you should watch is ‘Love... Reconsidered’ starring Sophie Von Haselberg. Sophie joins H. Alan to talk about the film, their shared love of rom coms and how Sophie carves out her own path when jou...
Feb 09, 2024•47 min•Ep. 144
Finding that next great character after a blockbuster series like This Is Us isn’t easy, but Justin Hartley figured it out with his new CBS drama Tracker (February 11). “As an actor, to get to play someone so different right after playing someone I thought was so special, it’s the time of my life,” told Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott. Hartley plays Colter Shaw, a survivalist who travels the country in his Airstream looking to help people who have posted rewards. “Colter’s environment doesn’t really ha...
Feb 07, 2024•23 min•Ep. 143
Dan Gheesling from ‘The Traitors’ talks exclusively with Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott about his shocking elimination from the show, his showdown with Phaedra Parks, and his alliance with Parvati Shallow. Stick with Newsweek for more coverage of this amazing season of Peacock’s ‘The Traitors.’ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Feb 02, 2024•23 min•Ep. 142
With the Grammys coming up, Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott is joined by Sirius XM’s John Arthur Hill to discuss likely winners like Taylor Swift and SZA, and just to go over the general state of pop music. Spoiler alert: it’s bleak. You can listen to John Monday through Thursday on Sirius XM’s Radio Andy. Visit Newsweek.com to learn more about the podcasts we offer and to catch up on the latest news. While you’re there, subscribe to Newsweek’s ‘ For the Culture newsletter. Follow H. Alan Scott on ever...
Jan 31, 2024•44 min•Ep. 141
This week Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott is breaking down the Barbie snub and other Oscar nomination surprises with Izzy Custodio of YouTube’s Be Kind Rewind. (Also discussed, the Barbie snub connection to Barbra Streisand’s snubs for Yentl and The Prince of Tides.) Visit Newsweek.com to learn more about the podcasts we offer and to catch up on the latest news. While you’re there, subscribe to Newsweek’s ‘ For the Culture newsletter. Follow H. Alan Scott on everything at @HAlanScott. See Privacy Polic...
Jan 26, 2024•58 min•Ep. 140
When you’re as fit as hip-hop artist Common, people are naturally going to wonder about your secret to health and wellness. Fortunately for us, Common is sharing his secrets in his new book And Then We Rise . “The thing that I’m talking about is reaching a state of happiness and joy. Joy comes by taking care of self.” He breaks down his message into four key pillars of wellness: food, body, mind and soul. “It’s not like every day I’m just soaring on the clouds and everything is perfect. But thes...
Jan 24, 2024•26 min•Ep. 139
