Cannonball with Wesley Morris

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Nikole Hannah-Jones Knows Why History Feels Dangerous Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

Six years ago, with the publication of The 1619 Project, Nikole Hannah-Jones argued that slavery was a foundational institution upon which the United States was built. President Trump called the project a crusade against American history — ideological poison that, “if not removed,” would “dissolve the civic bonds that tie us together.” Now, his administration is making a similar argument to attack diversity programs, historical discussions of slavery, civil rights and more as he pressures museums, schools, government agencies, national parks and other civic institutions to de-emphasize race.

Wesley contributed to The 1619 Project, and he sits down with Nikole to trace the project’s journey from publication to this moment — when Trump has returned to power on a message that explicitly rejected its premise.

Thoughts? Email us at cannonball@nytimes.com
Watch our show on YouTube: youtube.com/@CannonballPodcast
For transcripts and more, visit:nytimes.com/cannonball

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Cannonball Will Be Back Next Week! Sep 11, 2025

Show notes

We're taking a break this week. See you next Thursday! Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The V.M.A.s Are This Weekend. Does Anybody Care? Sep 04, 2025

Show notes

It’s been a long time since MTV was appointment viewing. And yet, billions of people are still watching music videos on the regular — on YouTube. Where does that leave a decades-old awards show dedicated to the craft? Wesley invites Niela Orr, a culture critic, on the show to discuss what makes an unforgettable video and to review this year’s nominees to see which ones should go home with the moon person. Yes, they still give ’em out.

Thoughts? Email us at cannonball@nytimes.com
Watch our show on YouTube: youtube.com/@CannonballPodcast
For transcripts and more, visit:nytimes.com/cannonball

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The Summer Movies That Made Us Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

Wesley was formed in the glory days of the summer movie: “Total Recall.” “Ghost.” “Pretty Woman.” All from the same epic summer of 1990. He found this year’s slate disappointing by comparison. So in this episode, Wesley invites his friend, the New York Times Magazine writer Sam Anderson, to travel back in time with him — to reimmerse themselves in the movies that shaped their adolescences, and maybe give you the edge-of-your-seat cinematic experience you deserve before summer is over.

Thoughts? Email us at cannonball@nytimes.com
Watch our show on YouTube: youtube.com/@CannonballPodcast
For transcripts and more, visit:nytimes.com/cannonball

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Is the New Spike Lee Joint Serving Pound Cake? Aug 21, 2025

Show notes

“Highest 2 Lowest” is an over-the-top, bougie and unapologetically New York movie. It might also be Spike Lee’s most conservative offering to date. Wesley invites critic Vinson Cunningham to discuss whether the 68-year-old director is picking up an old refrain, and telling young Black men to pull up their pants.

Thoughts? Email us at cannonball@nytimes.com
Watch our show on YouTube: youtube.com/@CannonballPodcast
For transcripts and more, visit:nytimes.com/cannonball

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‘And Just Like That …’ Is Over Too Soon Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

Wesley is joined by another unapologetic fan of the “Sex and the City” reboot, Taffy Brodesser-Akner. Together, they celebrate a show about old friendships and middle age. And blame you for its untimely end.

Thoughts? Email us at cannonball@nytimes.com
Watch our show on YouTube: youtube.com/@CannonballPodcast
For transcripts and more, visit:nytimes.com/cannonball

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Beyoncé Isn’t Giving Up on America Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

Wesley went to the final stop of the Cowboy Carter Tour. He talks through what he saw — the genre of it all, and the quietly powerful politics — with Salamishah Tillet, Times contributing critic and the professor behind an entire class about Beyoncé.

Thoughts? Email us at cannonball@nytimes.com
Watch our show on YouTube: youtube.com/@CannonballPodcast
For transcripts and more, visit:nytimes.com/cannonball

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Don't Let the Vampires In Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

What does Ryan Coogler’s vampire movie “Sinners” have in common with the Drake-Kendrick beef? Wesley has a theory that he’s been sitting with for weeks. He shares it with the writer Rembert Browne, and together they consider the vampiric threats facing Black art in America right now.

Thoughts? Email us at cannonball@nytimes.com
Watch our show on YouTube: youtube.com/@CannonballPodcast
For transcripts and more, visit:nytimes.com/cannonball

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What NYT’s Top 100 Movies Missed: 2 Former Video Store Clerks Get Real Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

Twenty-four years ago, Wesley Morris and the film curator Eric Hynes were just a couple of “cooler-than-you” cinephiles working at Kim’s Video, the beloved New York City video store. They recently got together to dissect the trends, snubs and outliers on the Times’s 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century list and to shed a few tears over their own top 10s, which we've shared below.

FROM WESLEY MORRIS:

FROM ERIC HYNES:

Thoughts? Email us at cannonball@nytimes.com
Watch our show on YouTube: youtube.com/@CannonballPodcast
For transcripts and more, visit:nytimes.com/cannonball

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Has Dining Gotten Too Fine on ‘The Bear’? Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

Wesley Morris talks with Samin Nosrat, a chef and food writer, about her love-hate relationship with “The Bear,” a show that’s always racing against the clock. She says the best moments, in the show and in our own kitchens, happen when things slow down.

Thoughts? Email us at cannonball@nytimes.com
Watch our show on YouTube: youtube.com/@CannonballPodcast
For transcripts and more, visit:nytimes.com/cannonball

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