The parting shot for this week was going to be about Vice President Kamala Harris’ nearly perfect week, but then former President Donald Trump went and said Harris isn’t really Black (which just defies logic) and well, that statement fully torpedoed all the news for the week. SiriusXM’s John Arthur Hill joins Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott to react to all the news from this very “weird” week. (And yes, Megan Thee Stallion twerking is discussed.) Visit Newsweek.com to learn more about the podcasts we o...
Aug 02, 2024•31 min•Ep. 196
M. Night Shyamalan is probably the only person who looked at Josh Hartnett and thought he’d make a great serial killer, but Hartnett is glad he did. “This is going to surprise people. It’s a little bit different than other films that he’s made.” In Trap, Hartnett plays Cooper, a killer inadvertently lured to a concert with his teenage daughter as a trap set up by authorities to catch him. While that may seem like it’s giving too much of the plot away, Hartnett says viewers will see there’s so mu...
Aug 01, 2024•29 min•Ep. 196
It’s Sheryl Lee Ralph’s world, and we’re all just living in it. First, there’s her Emmy-winning turn as Barbara Howard on ABC’s Abbott Elementary, where she just picked up her third nomination in a category that includes icons like Meryl Streep and Carol Burnett. “Carol, Meryl and Sheryl! The company I keep. I was so thrilled.” But she’s also aware she couldn’t do it alone. “I thank [creator and producer] Quinta Brunson, my cast, the crew, my writers. And when they say I’m a supporting actress, ...
Jul 31, 2024•24 min•Ep. 195
If you ask Bette Midler how she got her part in the new film ‘The Fabulous Four,’ it wouldn’t have anything to do with her legendary status as an Oscar-nominated actor. “I think they needed a ham, a big ole ham.” Midler plays Marilyn, a widow getting remarried who rekindles a friendship with three college girlfriends (Susan Sarandon, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Megan Mullally). “No actor doesn’t like to chew the scenery, even if they don’t admit it. So, to have the permission to pull out all the stops ...
Jul 24, 2024•26 min•Ep. 194
The last day of the Republican National Convention proved to be memorable (and very, very weird). It involved Kid Rock (I know), Hulk Hogan (I KNOW) and a lot of awkward dancing to music you know those people at the convention center have never heard before. But it all culminated in Donald Trump’s highly anticipated speech as he accepted his party’s nomination for president. (And he accepted that nomination in a 90 minute plus speech. Yes, 90 minutes!) Newsweek’s Jenni Fink joins H. Alan Scott t...
Jul 19, 2024•30 min•Ep. 193
When Lisa Kudrow was approached to star in a serialized adaptation of the 1981 film ‘Time Bandits’ for TV (July 24th on Apple TV+), she jumped at the chance to work with creators Taika Waititi, Jemaine Clement and Iain Morris. “I love the way they tell stories and their sense of humor.” In this version, Kudrow plays Penelope, the leader of a group of thieves on a time-traveling mission to save the world. Kudrow’s part was originally written for a man, “so it took a long time before the scripts s...
Jul 19, 2024•25 min•Ep. 191
Day three of the Republican National Convention featured the crowning of JD Vance as Trump’s VP pick, the return of Donald Trump Jr., and somehow Matt Gaetz’s face went viral. Listen as Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott recaps the third night of the convention with Newsweek’s Jenni Fink. All week H. Alan Scott will be reacting to the GOP Convention. Visit newsweek.com for more coverage. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-...
Jul 18, 2024•27 min•Ep. 192
Day two of the Republican National Convention played out like a reality show, with just as any reality TV show stars in attendance. It was a night of unity, a lot of kissing the ring of Donald Trump, and a lot of humanizing Trump. Listen as Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott recaps the second night of the convention with Newsweek’s Jenni Fink. (The two also talk about merch and how Nikki Haley is like Lisa Rinna from ‘The Real Housewives.’) All week H. Alan Scott will be reacting to the GOP Convention. Vi...
Jul 17, 2024•32 min•Ep. 190
Day one of the Republican National Convention was both inspiring and weird. Listen as Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott recaps the first night of the convention with Newsweek’s Jenni Fink. From Donald Trump’s first appearance after the assassination attempt, the announcement of JD Vance as Trump’s V.P. pick, and, oh yeah, Amber Rose spoke, we’re talking about it all. (Why?!!?) All week H. Alan Scott will be reacting to the GOP Convention. Visit newsweek.com for more coverage. See Privacy Policy at https:...
Jul 16, 2024•25 min•Ep. 189
All week long, Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott will be reacting to the Republican National Convention, the biggest event on TV this week. The attempted assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump will certainly change the tone of the convention, but what impact will it have on the campaign? Newsweek’s Jenni Fink and Alex Backus join to talk all about it. Follow along all week. Visit Newsweek.com to learn more about the podcasts we offer and to catch up on the latest news. While you’re there,...
Jul 15, 2024•35 min•Ep. 188
A little under 10 years ago, Disney introduced the Descendants franchise, giving new life to their iconic animated characters in a modern live-action TV movie. The premise worked. “It is just truly such a killer concept,” says Kylie Cantrall, who stars as Red, the daughter of Alice in Wonderland ’s Queen of Hearts (played by Rita Ora), in their latest installment Descendants: The Rise of Red . In the film, Red and Chloe (Malia Baker), the daughter of Cinderella, team up to save their fantasy wor...
Jul 12, 2024•24 min•Ep. 187
It’s H. Alan Scott’s birthday, and in honor of his birthday he invited a celebrity on who also just happens to be one of his closest friends, KimChi from ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race.’ The two talk about what KimChi has planned for RuPaul’s DragCon in July, KimChi Chic Beauty and KimChi’s podcast ‘1 For the Table.’ RuPaul’s DragCon LA 2024 is presented by World of Wonder, and will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Friday July 19th and Saturday July 20th. To purchase tickets to DragCon LA...
Jul 10, 2024•29 min•Ep. 186
From Hollywood to Washington, there’s one question everyone is asking: What is Joe Biden going to do? After Biden’s disastrous debate performance, prominent donors in Hollywood now want him to drop out of the race and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris or other prominent Democrats like Gavin Newsom or Gretchen Whitmer. Considering the amount of money Hollywood pumps into Democratic campaigns, it's a big deal if those power players are making these kinds of threats. Newsweek’s Jenni Fink, senio...
Jul 05, 2024•36 min•Ep. 185
In the 1980s, a group of actors called the “Brat Pack” came to define a generation. Turns out, the term came from one sentence in a New York Magazine article. Now, 40 years later, one of those stars, Andrew McCarthy, is reevaluating the impact that description had in his new documentary Brats (on Hulu). “It just became the catchphrase.” In the film, McCarthy meets with fellow Brat Pack-ers like Rob Lowe, Demi Moore and Emilio Estevez—some for the first time since the ’80s—to find out why they to...
Jul 03, 2024•30 min•Ep. 183
An op-ed written by John Mac Ghlionn titled “Taylor Swift Is Not a Good Role Model” sent the internet into a tizzy over the weekend. Basically, it said Swift isn’t a good role model because she’s single, among other things. People started to text me, H. Alan Scott, about it because I work at Newsweek. So, I figured a response was in order. I invited Kate Stayman-London, a writer and Swiftie, to tell me why she thinks Swift is a good role model and her thoughts about the op-ed. Here’s the origina...
Jul 02, 2024•42 min•Ep. 184
If you’re like basically every American today, you’re asking yourself, ‘What happened at that presidential debate and is Joe Biden ok?’ At least that’s what Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott is asking himself. So today he’s joined by his colleague at Newsweek, Alex Backus (reporter and editor), to ask every question most Americans are asking after watching that dumpster fire of a debate. Visit Newsweek.com to learn more about the podcasts we offer and to catch up on the latest news. While you’re there, s...
Jun 28, 2024•40 min•Ep. 182
The trailer for ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ (June 28) shows star Lupita Nyong’o carrying a cat around moments before New York City is overtaken by aliens. For Nyong’o, the scariest thing on set weren’t the aliens, but rather the cat in her arm. “I had a deadly fear of cats. I couldn’t be in the same room as cats. I would break out in tears.” Calling herself a “scaredy cat,” the Oscar-winning actress worked with a cat therapist to get over her fear. “I can confidently say this film has changed my li...
Jun 26, 2024•26 min•Ep. 181
It's rare for a piece of theater to become such a cult hit that it moves from downtown to Broadway, but that's exactly what's happening with Cole Escola's ‘ Oh, Mary!’ For Escola, who previously was best known for their YouTube sketches and collaborations with Amy Sedaris, "it feels like I scored a goal for the home team." Oh, Mary! is an absurd comedic send up on Mary Todd Lincoln in the weeks leading up to Abraham's assassination. "It's about her hopes and dreams of being a cabaret star. It's ...
Jun 20, 2024•27 min•Ep. 180
This year Kara Young broke a Tonys record, becoming the first Black person to receive three consecutive nominations and only the sixth person ever to do so. "It feels special that the third [nomination] is historical, but more historical in the sense that it's civil rights activist Ossie Davis' words that are being activated and recognized." Young's nomination is for the play ‘ Purlie Victorious ,’ a comedy written by Davis in 1961 and revived for Broadway this year with Young and Leslie Odom Jr...
Jun 17, 2024•32 min•Ep. 179
What happens when superheroes turn evil? That’s the question ‘ The Boys ,’ based on a series of graphic novels, sets out to answer. “They’ve done such a good job of having the essence of these really insane comics, while also making them palatable for TV,” Chace Crawford, who plays superhero The Deep, says about the Prime Video original series, now in its fourth season. “The idea that absolute power corrupts absolutely, and that superheroes who have this power and kind of are gods, what would th...
Jun 12, 2024•26 min•Ep. 178
When you’ve been a fat kid, a little bit of that fat kid stays with you, no matter if you stay fat or not. But how to cope with that? Well, that’s exactly what comedian Ian Karmel and his sister, Alisa Karmel, PsyD, aim to tackle in their poignant memoir T-Shirt Swim Club: Stories From Being Fat in a World of Thin People (June 11). “I’ve seen so often that people’s representation with fat was either as a punchline or as an object of pity. And I hated that we were either Cartman [from South Park ...
Jun 07, 2024•38 min•Ep. 177
If you’re anything like Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott, you prefer to show your pride during Pride month in a dark movie theater watching a great film. Well, the Academy Museum in Los Angeles has everything you need to do exactly that. This summer the Academy has a full program dedicated to Pride, showcasing landmark queer films. On today’s episode, H. Alan speaks with K.J. Relth-Miller, the Director of Film Programs for the the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and director Darren Stein, who directed...
Jun 05, 2024•56 min•Ep. 176
Do you ever have that moment where you’re scrolling through Instagram and you come across a profile so perfectly suits your taste? One that leaves you asking, ‘How am I just discovering this account?’ That’s exactly what happened to Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott when he came across Blakely Thornton’s account. Thornton, who calls himself a pop culture anthropologist, posts videos on the daily giving his unique take on whatever is happening in pop culture, politics, or even nostalgia. But it isn’t nece...
May 31, 2024•30 min•Ep. 175
Maya Hawke wears many hats: actor, writer, singer. But for Hawke, everything comes down to words. "I just see myself as a person who likes to try to tell stories, who's in love with language." She's doing that with several recent projects, including her third album ‘Chaos Angel’ (May 31). "I don't respond to vibes really," she says. Instead, she focuses on the lyrics and how the words align with the melody. Speaking of those words, she says, "I don't need anyone else to think that my lyrics are ...
May 29, 2024•28 min•Ep. 174
Did you know there’s a streaming service solely dedicated to comedy? It’s true, and it’s called Dropout. Did you also know it’s ad free? Yep! Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott spoke with Dropout’s CEO and host of ‘Game Changer,’ Sam Reich, and Dropout’s Director of Development, Paul Robalino, about Dropout’s origins (it was previously CollegeHumor), where it’s going and why it matters. Visit Newsweek.com to learn more about the podcasts we offer and to catch up on the latest news. While you’re there, sub...
May 24, 2024•34 min•Ep. 173
We have a winner for Survivor 46, and it’s Kenzie Petty! Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott chats with Kenzie and the runner-up's Charlie Davis and Ben Katzman about this wild season filled with twists, turns, and a pretty contentious jury. (And yes, we talked about Taylor Swift with Charlie too, because we had to.) 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 ...
May 23, 2024•42 min•Ep. 172
Anne Rice’s novel ‘Interview With the Vampire’ has a rabid fan base, intensely protective of the story and any adaptations of it. Thankfully for Jacob Anderson, who plays Louis de Pointe du Lac in the AMC original series based on Rice’s novel, the fans seem to be on board. “I do get a sense that people feel like we did right by the characters.” Now in its second season, this version, not connected to the 1994 film version starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, looks deeper into the “mess” of Louis. ...
May 22, 2024•24 min•Ep. 171
Monét X Change is unlike any other drag queen to come out of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race,’ and that’s because her talents go so far beyond just drag. Sure, you may know her as the first queen of color to win RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars or from her crazy popular podcast Sibling Rivalry, which she co-hosts with her drag sister, Bob The Drag Queen. But now you’re about to know her as a R&B superstar with her new album, ‘Grey Rainbow Vol. 1.’ Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott chatted with Monét about the inspir...
May 17, 2024•27 min•Ep. 170
Michelle Buteau is proof that you can strike it big anytime. At 46, she's out with her new film Babes (May 17), she has a hit Netflix series based on her memoir Survival of the Thickest and is the first woman to film a comedy special at Radio City Music Hall. She says there's this idea you should "have it all figured out by 40, you should be doing your thing. It's like, no, we don't have it all figured out. We're still growing." Babes , directed by Pamela Adlon and co-starring Ilana Glazer, who ...
May 15, 2024•32 min•Ep. 169
Comedian Nikki Glaser never wants to offend. “I never want to say offensive or raunchy [things] or push the envelope, because that speaks to some kind of comedian who wants to rile people up,” Glaser told Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott. Instead, on her new HBO comedy special Someday You’ll Die (May 11), she wants to hit you with “honest and really funny, precise, acute jokes throughout.” Those jokes are about classic topics discussed in ways unique to Glaser: sex, being a woman and struggles “with try...
May 10, 2024•38 min•Ep. 168
