Awards Chatter

Latest Episodes:

Jessica Lange - 'Long Day's Journey Into Night' [LIVE] Nov 08, 2026

Show notes

In front of an audience at the Virginia Film Festival, the legendary actress who is one of only 10 living winners of the triple crown of acting — she has won two Oscars, three Emmys and a Tony — reflects on being cast out of nowhere in 'King Kong'; turning around her career with 'The Postman Always Rings Twice,' 'Frances' and 'Tootsie'; why 'Grey Gardens' and 'American Horror Story' reinvigorated her; and why she'd be content if her latest role — as Mary Tyrone, who she'd previously played on stage — ends up being her last.

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Jordan Firstman - 'Club Kid' [LIVE] Nov 01, 2026

Show notes

In front of an audience at Chapman University, the breakout multi-hyphenate reflects on the breakup that blew up his personal and professional life, but after which he began to find success; his mixed-feelings about his early work on social media (COVID-era publicist for banana bread) and TV ('English Teacher' and 'I Love LA'); and what inspired him to write, direct and star in a film about a party promoter who stays too long at the party (which became a sensation at and the year's biggest sale out of Cannes — $17 million).

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Aaron Sorkin - 'The Social Reckoning' [LIVE] Oct 26, 2026

Show notes

In front of an audience at the Newport Beach Film Festival, the legendary playwright/screenwriter-turned-director reflects on the art of writing great opening and courtroom scenes, the challenges and frustrations of directing, and what it was like revisiting the topic of Facebook 16 years after 'The Social Network.'

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Inde Navarrette - 'Obsession' [LIVE] Oct 14, 2026

Show notes

In front of an audience at Chapman University, the 25-year-old actress, who shot to the top of Hollywood's A-list after her $750,000 indie horror flick grossed more than $500 million, reflects on her path to the role of Nikki Freeman; the making of the film, including scenes that were shot but cut; how she is processing sudden fame; and details about what's next, including the role of Rogue in Marvel's reboot of 'X-Men.'

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Andrew Scott - 'Elsinore' Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

The gifted Irish actor best known for 'Sherlock,' 'Fleabag,' 'Ripley' and 'All of Us Strangers' reflects on how a childhood lisp led him to acting; the impact on his career of his 2013 decision to publicly come out as gay; how he handled the sudden interest in him after playing the "hot priest" opposite Phoebe Waller-Bridge; and why he was so drawn to the story of 'Chariots of Fire' actor Ian Charleson that he signed on not only to play the man in 'Elsinore' but also to produce that film about the remarkable final chapter of Charleson's life.

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John Leguizamo - 'The Odyssey' [LIVE] Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

In front of an audience at Chapman University, the veteran character actor and activist for Latino representation in Hollywood reflects on how he discovered comedy and acting; the challenges of breaking into the biz as a Latino in the '90s, and how they led him to make six solo stage shows; and why it means so much to him to be a part of Christopher Nolan's non-traditionally-cast epic, for which his performance as Eumaeus has garnered him raves.

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Penélope Cruz - 'La Bola Negra,' 'Bunker' & 'The Invite' [LIVE] Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

In front of an audience at 1 Hotel Toronto during the Toronto International Film Festival, the first Spanish actress to win an Oscar reflects on her path to acting and Pedro Almodóvar, building a career on both sides of the Atlantic, and how she crafted award-worthy performances in no fewer than three 2026 films.

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Rhea Seehorn - 'Pluribus' [LIVE] Aug 22, 2026

Show notes

In front of an audience at Chapman University, the revered Emmy-nominated actress reflects on how a decade of unsuccessful auditions paved the way for her casting on 'Better Call Saul,' how she reacted to learning that Vince Gilligan had written 'Pluribus' for her, and why playing Carol Sturka on that hit Apple TV show is both the most challenging and rewarding job she has ever had.

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Nick Offerman - 'Death by Lightning' & 'Margo's Got Money Troubles' Aug 21, 2026

Show notes

The consummate character actor reflects on how he landed and approached his star-making part of Ron Swanson on the comedy series 'Parks and Recreation,' why he relished playing a dramatic part on 'The Last of Us' en route to an Emmy, and how he tackled the two parts for which he's Emmy-nominated this year: a corrupt drunk who winds up as vice president and a former pro wrestler/recovering addict trying to reconnect with his daughter.

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Sarah Pidgeon - 'Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette' Aug 19, 2026

Show notes

One of the hottest young actresses in Hollywood, who at just 30 already has Tony and Emmy noms to her name, reflects on her Broadway breakthrough in 'Stereophonic,' the most Tony-nominated play ever; the challenges of playing Carolyn Bessette, one-half of a couple who lived and died in the public eye, in an FX limited series; and the oddness of suddenly, through playing Bessette, losing her anonymity, just like Bessette did.

the challenges of landing and playing her breakthrough role, as Carolyn Bessette; and

And her Emmy nom, for best actress in a limited or anthology series or movie, came just last month for FX’s Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette, in which she played

how she came to be cast as Carolyn Bessette, and what challenged her most about the making of Love Story, which is itself nominated for the best limited or anthology series Emmy;

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