Stay ConnectedOn this podcast, Seth Abramovitch, senior writer at The Hollywood Reporter, takes you behind the scenes of the indelible pop culture moments that shaped Hollywood history — with special guests who were actually there. In a town where everything old is eventually new again, Seth gives listeners a front-row seat to the way things were. Welcome to IT HAPPENED IN HOLLYWOOD!
Theme music composed by: Paul Masvidal and Sean Malone
Copyright: © The Hollywood Reporter 2021-2024
The fight coordinator turned A-list action director reveals all about the film that launched his career — and a billion-dollar franchise.
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The Clerks director stops by for a hilarious episode about the making of his 1997 queer(ish) indie rom-com starring Ben Affleck.
Music Credits: Damian Souder The Supercell
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Cinematic master John Carpenter joins the podcast to unpack the making of the paranoid sci-fi classic from 1988.
Episode Music Credits: Damian Souder The Supercell
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The writer-director of the 2014 indie horror joins the podcast to unpack the making of a cult favorite.
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The star of Sean Penn’s provocative film about going off-grid describes the physical toll of the production.
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It’s the greatest podcast on Earth: Pee-wee Herman’s (aka Paul Reubens’) second big-screen outing is the subject of this fun-filled episode.
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The director of the cult 1995 film starring Angelina Jolie and worshipped by early-internet fanatics stops by.
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The Oscar winner drops by to unpack the making of a Western epic with Brad Pitt.
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The stars of the Wachowskis’ steamy and stylish first feature reunite to retell the making of a cult classic.
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Director Tom Tykwer joins Seth to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the genre-bending sleeper hit that captivated the world in 1999.
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The visionary director behind ‘Yellowjackets’ and ‘Jennifer’s Body’ joins Seth to revisit the making of her debut, the 2000 Sundance sensation ‘Girlfight.’
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The Oscar-winning editor of ‘Apocalypse Now’ stops by to recount writing and directing his dark, brilliant tale of Dorothy Gale’s journey back to Oz.
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The Oscar-nominated actress relives the making of the 1993 film about a brilliant young con man played by Will Smith.
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Seth is visited by the screenwriter and producers of the Oscars-sweeping classic that turned cons and Ragtime music into box-office gold.
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Sex! Deception! Gossip! It’s all there in the delectable ‘Dangerous Liaisons.’ Director Stephen Frears joins the podcast to relive the making of the classic 1988 film and winner of three Oscars.
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The ‘Superbad’ director joins the podcast to talk about his first film, ‘The Daytrippers,’ starring Hope Davis, Stanley Tucci, Parker Posey and Liev Schreiber and made on a $60,000 budget.
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Join us for a desert holiday as writer-director Stephan Elliott reveals all the secrets of making his 1994 indie comedy smash from Down Under.
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The podcast returns for a fifth season with Ed Zwick, writer-director of 2003’s Tom Cruise war epic, THE LAST SAMURAI.
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Shirley, we are completely serious. The writer-director stops by for a rare interview about the making of two classics — one, a broad comedy, the other a supernatural romance that made pottery and the afterlife hot.
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The visionary writer-director of 1982’s TRON reveals how he brought all those Light Cycles, Solar Sailors and glowing neon circuitry to life.
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It’s astounding — time is fleeting: It’s 50 years since ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ debuted on a cramped London stage and launched a phenomenon. Composer and star Richard O’Brien joins Seth to retrace every step.
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Prepare to be transported to a world of psychedelic wonder as visionary filmmaker Julie Taymor takes us behind the scenes of her 2007 masterpiece 'Across the Universe', revealing the intricate and mind-bending creative process that brought this unforgettable
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Step into the mind of director Gregg Araki as he takes us on a wild ride through the making of his cult classic film "The Doom Generation", sharing stories about the film's creation and its lasting impact on the world of edgy and provocative queer cinema.
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Get ready to take a nostalgic trip back to the '80s as Seth sits down with the iconic star of 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' to uncover the untold secrets and behind-the-scenes stories of this beloved John Hughes masterpiece that continues to capture the hearts and imaginations of viewers worldwide.
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Seth is joined by the director of 'Waynes World' who shares her experience making her first studio film with Mike Myers and Dana Carvey.
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Seth is joined by the writer and director of the 1984 movie 'Repo Man' which stars Harry Dean Stanton and Emilio Estevez.
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In the debut episode of season 4, Seth is talking with Terry Gilliam about the making of his 1985 dystopic sci-fi film 'Brazil'.
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The creator of 'Downton Abbey' and HBO's 'The Gilded Age' joins Seth to talk about writing 2001’s 'Gosford Park,' which won him an Oscar and jumpstarted his career.
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The writer and director of the 1984 sci-fi film 'The Brother from Another Planet' joins Seth to talk about the making of the Harlem-based story that follows a mute alien with six toes being chased by Men in Black.
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Seth is joined by the star of 'After Hours' to talk about the making of Martin Scorsese's ninth film which follows a man just trying to get home from SoHo in the 80s.
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Seth is joined by the mastermind behind the 'Choose Your Own Adventure' book series that has helped influence many different types of TV, film, and games over the years.
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The Director of 'Heathers' joins Seth to talk about how the cult classic, starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, helped to predict violence in schools and laid the groundwork for movies such as 'Mean Girls.'
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Writer-Director Ron Shelton joins Seth to discuss the sports classic 'Bull Durham' which almost didn't get made.
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The director of the blockbuster musical 'Grease' joins Seth to reminisce about the late Olivia Newton-John and share stories about the making of an iconic film.
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Writer-Director Walter Hill joins Seth to share the making of the 1979 neon-colored classic, 'The Warriors.'
Theme music composed by: Paul Masvidal and Sean Malone
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Director Susan Seidelman recounts the making of one of Madonna's most memorable acting roles in 'Desperately Seeking Susan.'
Theme music composed by: Paul Masvidal and Sean Malone
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Mike Figgis joins Seth to retell the process of making the gritty and dark 16mm film that gave Nicolas Cage his Oscar, 'Leaving Las Vegas.'
Theme music composed by: Paul Masvidal and Sean Malone
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The brilliant Zach Galifianakis is Seth and Chip’s very special guest for the Season 2 finale, an uproarious hour about his unlikely path to superstardom in the 2009 comedy smash “The Hangover.”
Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip Pope
Produced by: Matthew Whitehurst and Joshua Farnham
Theme music composed by: Paul Masvidal and Sean Malone
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He’s the man who made the world believe a man can fly. Legendary blockbuster director Richard Donner joins Seth and Chip for a retelling of the making of the seminal super hero flick — 1978’s ‘Superman.’
Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip Pope
Produced by: Matthew Whitehurst and Joshua Farnham
Theme music composed by: Paul Masvidal and Sean Malone
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This episode isn’t just good — it’s prettay, prettay, prettay good, as the hilarious Jeff Garlin stops by to recount how a lunch with his office neighbor Larry David turned into HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip Pope
Produced by: Matthew Whitehurst and Joshua Farnham
Theme music composed by: Paul Masvidal and Sean Malone
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Stalk L.A. like a hungry coyote as writer-director Dan Gilroy tells all about the making of his Oscar-nominated ‘Nightcrawler’ starring Jake Gyllenhaal.
Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip Pope
Produced by: Matthew Whitehurst and Joshua Farnham
Theme music composed by: Paul Masvidal and Sean Malone
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Hitch a ride to the stars as Pixar co-founder Andrew Stanton reveals the inspirations — binoculars! Amazon boxes! iPhones! — behind his 2008 animated masterpiece WALL-E.
Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip Pope
Produced by: Matthew Whitehurst and Joshua Farnham
Theme music composed by: Paul Masvidal and Sean Malone
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Comedy giant Nathan Lane details his path to stardom in 1996’s ‘The Birdcage’ — and pulls back the curtain on the difficulties of being a gay man in Hollywood.
Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip Pope
Produced by: Matthew Whitehurst and Joshua Farnham
Theme music composed by: Paul Masvidal and Sean Malone
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Buckle up: Trailblazing ‘80s screen icon Rae Dawn Chong sits in to share memories of making the 1985 action classic “Commando” with Arnold Schwarzenegger — plus many more!
Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip Pope
Produced by: Matthew Whitehurst and Joshua Farnham
Theme music composed by: Paul Masvidal and Sean Malone
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We stan a legend. Director Peter Bogdanovich stops by to regale the podcast with tales of Hollywood’s second Golden Age and the making of his masterpiece, “The Last Picture Show.”
Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip Pope
Produced by: Matthew Whitehurst and Joshua Farnham
Theme music composed by: Paul Masvidal and Sean Malone
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Harry Hamlin recounts his days as Hollywood’s reigning It-boy, starring as Perseus in the campy Greek myth adventure “Clash of the Titans” before risking it all on the gay drama “Making Love.”
Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip Pope
Produced by: Matthew Whitehurst and Joshua Farnham
Theme music composed by: Paul Masvidal and Sean Malone
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Playwright, screenwriter and directing giant David Mamet stops by to discuss his prophetic "Oleanna," in a lively discussion that covers sexual politics, acting techniques and the secret behind his staccato dialogue.
Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip Pope
Produced by: Matthew Whitehurst and Joshua Farnham
Theme music composed by: Paul Masvidal and Sean Malone
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From Second City to director of blockbuster comedies, Betty Thomas has had a remarkable career. In the season opener, she recounts directing Howard Stern in the 1997 biopic that made him an unlikely movie star.
Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip Pope
Produced by: Matthew Whitehurst and Joshua Farnham
Theme music composed by: Paul Masvidal and Sean Malone
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In the electric first season finale, Seth and Chip raise a glass to all the misfits and losers — with John Cameron Mitchell, the brilliant writer, director and star of the phenomenal glam-rock musical, Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Learn about Hedwig’s real-life inspiration, go deep into your favorite lyrics and learn about his new podcast musical out now.
Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip Pope
Produced by: Matthew Whitehurst
Theme music composed by: Paul Masvidal and Sean Malone
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The inventor of stoner comedy Tommy Chong stops by to regale us with tales of the origins of Cheech & Chong; the making of their cult-classic first movie; the rift that broke them up; and his nine-month stint in prison. It’s our most 420-friendly episode ever!
Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip Pope
Produced by: Matthew Whitehurst
Theme music composed by: Paul Masvidal and Sean Malone
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Silencio! Por favor. Take a trip back to the strange, beautiful dreamscape of Mulholland Drive as star Laura Harring stops by to reveal all about the making of David Lynch’s Oscar-nominated film noir from 2001.
Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip Pope
Produced by: Matthew Whitehurst
Theme music composed by: Paul Masvidal and Sean Malone
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Jaclyn Smith — the only Charlie’s Angel to have starred in all five seasons of the series — visits the podcast to relive all the big hair, karate chops and ‘70s “mind candy” that made the original show such iconic fun. And stick around for a surprise Charlie’s Angels reunion!
Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip Pope
Produced by: Matthew Whitehurst
Theme music composed by: Paul Masvidal and Sean Malone
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Thora Birch stops by to reminisce about the making of 1999 Academy Award best picture winner AMERICAN BEAUTY — and reconcile her own complicated feelings about it in light of the allegations against co-star Kevin Spacey.
Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip Pope
Produced by: Matthew Whitehurst
Theme music composed by: Paul Masvidal and Sean Malone
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Join us for a fascinating peek behind the scenes of the Coen Brothers with Tim Blake Nelson, star of 2000’s O Brother, Where Art Thou? and 2018’s The Ballad of Buster Scruggs — the latest movie from the enigmatic auteurs.
Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip Pope
Produced by: Matthew Whitehurst
Theme music composed by: Paul Masvidal and Sean Malone
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Be our guest as Disney screenwriter Linda Woolverton joins Seth and Chip to reveal all about the making of two modern Disney Animation classics.
Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip Pope
Produced by: Matthew Whitehurst
Theme music composed by: Paul Masvidal and Sean Malone
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Seth and Chip track down bad-boy screenwriter Joe Eszterhas in Ohio for a two-part episode. Part Two talks about his infamous return to the screen with his cult classic 'Showgirls'.
Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip Pope
Produced by: Matthew Whitehurst
Theme music composed by: Paul Masvidal and Sean Malone
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Seth and Chip track down bad-boy screenwriter Joe Eszterhas in Ohio for a two-part episode. Part One covers his infamous feud with former CAA head Michael Ovitz and the making of BASIC INSTINCT, the movie that made Sharon Stone a superstar. Stayed tuned for Part Two which will air next week.
Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip Pope
Produced by: Matthew Whitehurst
Theme music composed by: Paul Masvidal and Sean Malone
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On this week's show, Seth and Chip welcome master filmmaker William Friedkin to discuss his eternal horror classic, THE EXORCIST. Was there a curse on the film? Did Jane Fonda want to star in it? Why is it still so damned popular after all these years? Find out on IT HAPPENED IN HOLLYWOOD.
Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip Pope
Produced by: Matthew Whitehurst
Theme music composed by: Paul Masvidal and Sean Malone
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