Little Gold Men by Vanity Fair

The Emmys are almost here, which means it’s time to put our predictions – and our reputations – on the line. Vanity Fair features editor Hillary Busis joins Rebecca and John to break down the toughest races of the night, from the crowded comedy categories to a showdown in Lead Actress in a Drama. Then, the group makes the case for the long-shot contenders they’d most like to see take home a trophy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A bonus episode from our friends at WIRED's Uncanny Valley. The hit HBO Max comedy series Hacks follows the tumultuous relationship between a young comedy writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) and legacy comedian Deborah Vance (Jean Smart). The show has also had a lot to say about the business of show business. Creators Paul W.  Downs and Lucia Aniello join Katie to talk about writing the series, corporate censorship, and why they find AI “deeply disturbing.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Rebecca and John discuss the behind-the-scenes drama surrounding the film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone and the long, complicated history of authors clashing with Hollywood over adaptations of their books. Then, Rebecca catches up with Wonder Man star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II about the surprise cancellation of the series after its first season. They also discuss Abdul-Mateen’s theater background and evolving relationship to watching his own work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The mailbag is open! This week, Rebecca and John answer your questions about this year’s Best Actress race, how to make the most of Telluride, and so much more. Then, John talks to Widow’s Bay creator and showrunner Katie Dippold about the inspiration behind the Emmy-nominated horror-comedy series. Stick around till the end for a special round of FMK: Horror Movie edition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jason Bateman has spent much of his career playing the calmest person in the room. But this year, his Emmy-nominated performances in Black Rabbit and DTF St. Louis flip that persona on its head. Rebecca talks with Bateman about embracing more emotionally exposed roles, how he decides which creative hats to wear on a project, and and why hosting SmartLess is the “easiest yet most lucrative” job of his career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, ​Rebecca, John, and Vanity Fair features editor Hillary Busis each make the case for one television trend they’d happily banish forever, from the airport novel adaptation to the fictionalized true-crime miniseries. Then, after adequate complaining, they discuss the kinds of shows they’d like to see more of, including lower-stakes storytelling and the return of great episodic television. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Rebecca and John are joined by Vanity Fair features editor Hillary Busis to discuss the recently announced Toronto and Venice Film Festival lineups. They spotlight the movies generating the most buzz and speculate about which might still be headed to Telluride. Plus, a spirited debate over which festival matters most and whether festivals still have the power to launch an Oscar campaign. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apple TV netted a personal best 89 nominations and is the third-most-nominated network at this year's Emmy Awards (behind awards behemoths Netflix and HBO). But when the service first launched in 2019, with eight original series and zero back catalog, few would've predicted its current success. VF Special Correspondent Joy Press joins Rebecca and John to dig into the streamer's early fumbles and current hits, and make sense of why a huge tech company is willing to lose so much money making prestige television. Plus, they dig into the Emmys' controversial decision to bump 5 categories from the primetime telecast and the twin Odysseys of Christopher Nolan's blockbuster box office and the WBD/Paramount merger. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Rebecca and John are joined by Vanity Fair Features Editor (and resident classicist) Hillary Busis to dive in to Christopher Nolan's excellent new film, The Odyssey. First, on the off-chance you don't remember everything about Homer's original from your high school English class, Hillary gives a refresher on the plot points and themes of the epic poem. Then, the group digs in to the new adaptation, the controversies surrounding it, and what the film's quality and reception will mean for its box office and awards future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This morning, the Television Academy announced its nominations for this year's Emmy Awards, so Rebecca and John sat down with VF Staff Writer Chris Murphy and Special Correspondent Joy Press to dig into the snubs and surprises of the day. Plus, they chat about the film news that's been percolating over the holiday break, from Luca Guadagnino's Artificial drama to the Obsession box office that keeps on climbing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This year’s Emmy nominations won’t be announced until July 8, but that isn’t stopping Little Gold Men from making some bold predictions. Rebecca and John are joined by Hillary Busis and Savannah Walsh for a category-by-category breakdown of the upcoming races. They discuss whether The Pitt will sweep in drama (again), if Widow’s Bay is this year’s sleeper hit, and whether The Bear’s reign may finally be ending. Plus, the under-the-radar contenders Emmy voters shouldn’t ignore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Disclosure Day," Steven Spielberg's latest extraterrestrial-inflected adventure, is drawing his biggest box office in years — all the more impressive given its originality. Critical reception has been largely positive, but is this film a return to form? Rebecca, John, and VF Staff Writer Chris Murphy debate the merits of the film, share their favorite Spielberg titles, and ask whether there's any filmmaker who might take up the mantle of "the next Steven Spielberg." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Charles Melton plays a lovable (but none too bright) hottie in season two of the Netflix anthology series Beef. But beneath his character’s good natured surface is a man struggling to make sense of his identity and place in society. Rebecca sat down with Melton to discuss his character’s transformation, what it was like collaborating with series creator Lee Sung Jin, and how he interprets the show’s controversial season two ending. Melton also opens up about his evolving relationship to his Korean heritage and how becoming a father has changed his perspective on work and time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Summer movie season is officially here, so Rebecca, John, and Hillary are breaking down the biggest studio blockbusters and under-the-radar gems on the horizon. From Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day to a slew of raunchy indie comedies, this season is shaping up to be a crucial test for Hollywood’s recovery. Then, Vanity Fair staff writer Chris Murphy talks with The Gilded Age stars Carrie Coon and Morgan Spector about the show’s passionate fan base, the real-life relationship experiences they bring to their characters’ marriage, and what comes next for one of television’s most iconic couples. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Everyone and their mother has an opinion about Sydney Sweeney, but according to the actress herself, most people have no clue who she actually is. Rebecca caught up with Sweeney shortly after the Euphoria finale aired to talk about saying goodbye to Cassie Howard, filming the series’ long-awaited final season, and the deleted pole-dancing scenes she hopes fans eventually get to see. Plus: anime, internet rumors, and finding freedom as an actor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FX's Love Story: John F. Kennedy, Jr. & Carolyn Bessette swept up audiences after it burst onto our TV's earlier this year. It also launched the careers of its two stars, Paul Anthony Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon, after their mesmerizing performances as the couple who became a national obsession. But it was a long road to get there, as they physically transformed into the iconic characters and dealt with audience blowback before the show had even come out. At a special live event presented by FX, Rebecca and John sat down with Paul Anthony Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon to discuss how they built their characters, developed their undeniable chemistry, and managed the onslaught of public attention Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

John and Rebecca discuss the scary-good box office for two recent horror debuts and the ups and downs of the Hacks and Euphoria series finales. Then, they pass the mic over to a NYC-based panel of theater lovers to talk about the awards show that puts the T in EGOT, this weekend's Tony Awards. Senior Editor Hillary Busis, Staff Writer Chris Murphy, Entertainment Director Caitlin Brody, and LGM Senior Producer Michele O'Brien make a case for why the Tonys are the most fun awards show to watch (even if you know nothing about the nominees), and make their predictions for Sunday night's ceremony. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Noah Wyle didn’t expect The Pitt to become one of television’s biggest dramas, or for viewers to once again see him as their doctor. But after an Emmys-sweeping first season and decades spent playing physicians on screen, Wyle has learned to embrace both realities. Rebecca caught up with the actor, writer, producer, and director to talk about why he resisted going “bigger and bloodier” after season one, what it’s like making one of TV’s most medically accurate dramas, and why some fans are so mad about Dr. Robby’s emotional unraveling. Plus, who is America’s doctor’s favorite fictional doctor? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stephen Colbert has officially signed off, CBS is exiting the late night game, and the future of the format feels more uncertain than ever. This week, Rebecca and John are joined by VF special correspondent Joy Press to discuss the final episode of The Late Show, the politics and economics behind CBS’s decision, and the social media stars redefining the genre. They also share their top picks for what to watch this month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In their final Cannes dispatch, Rebecca and John dish about some of the buzziest films of the week and attempt to predict the hard-to-pin-down Palme d'Or. They also discuss the reasons why the festival has seemed quieter this year, and debate which films we'll be talking about come Oscar season.Follow along on Vanity Fair's Cannes liveblog, and send your festival questions to littlegoldmen@vf.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices