The Next Best Picture Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Interview With "Very Important People" Host Vic Michaelis Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

"Very Important People" is an American improvisational comedy talk show that premiered on Dropout in December 2023, hosted by Vic Michaelis as a fictionalized version of themself. A reboot of the 2010 CollegeHumor series "Hello, My Name Is...," episodes feature comedians who, after being unwittingly transformed via extensive makeup and costuming, have to devise characters from first impressions for an interview with Michaelis' host persona. The show's third season aired from December 2025 to June 2026. Michaelis was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experience making the talk show, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the show, which is up for your consideration for this year's Emmy Awards and is now available to stream on Dropout. Thank you, and enjoy!

Check out more on NextBestPicture.com

Please subscribe on...

Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw

And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPictureand listen to this podcast ad-free

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Interview With "Skyscraper Live" Climber Alex Honnold Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

"Skyscraper Live" is a Netflix special in which American climber Alex Honnold ("Free Solo") scaled the Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taiwan without ropes. The ascent was broadcast live on January 25th, 2026. It was hosted by sports broadcaster Elle Duncan, along with professional wrestler Seth Rollins, climber Emily Harrington, climbing broadcaster Pete Woods, and YouTuber Mark Rober. The stunt has been called one of the highest free solo climbs of an urban structure in the world. Honnold was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience climbing the skyscraper, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the special, which is up for your consideration for this year's Emmy Awards and is now available to stream on Netflix. Thank you, and enjoy!

Check out more on NextBestPicture.com

Please subscribe on...

Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw

And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPictureand listen to this podcast ad-free

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Interview With "Game Changer" Host & Dropout CEO Sam Reich Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

"Game Changer" is an American comedy panel game show on Dropout created and hosted by subscription streaming service CEO Sam Reich, which started in 2019. The show follows three comedians as they participate in a new game each episode, unaware of its premise and rules beforehand. Episodes of "Game Changer" have led to four spinoff shows on Dropout: "Dirty Laundry," "Make Some Noise," "Play It By Ear," and "Crowd Control." The show's eighth season premiered in May 2026 and is contending for Emmy recognition. Reich was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience making the game show, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the show, which is up for your consideration for this year's Emmy Awards and is now available to stream on Dropout. Thank you, and enjoy!

Check out more on NextBestPicture.com

Please subscribe on...

Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw

And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPictureand listen to this podcast ad-free

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Interviews With "The Audacity" Stars & Creator Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

"The Audacity" is an American dark comedy television series created by Jonathan Glatzer for AMC and AMC+. It follows a self-appointed "inventor of the future" tech CEO and his self-serving "performance psychologist,” who are engulfed in a scandal sparked by the exploitation of personal data. The series premiered on April 12th to positive reviews. In March 2026, ahead of the series premiere, the series was renewed for a second season. Creator Jonathan Glatzer and stars Billy Magnussen, Lucy Punch, Paul Adelstein, Simon Helberg, Rob Corddry, Meaghan Rath, Everett Blunck, Thailey Roberge, and Ava Marie Telek were all kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experiences making the series, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the series, which is up for your consideration for this year's Emmy Awards and is now available to stream on AMC+. Thank you, and enjoy!

Check out more on NextBestPicture.com

Please subscribe on...

Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw

And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPictureand listen to this podcast ad-free

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 497 - The Best Films Of 2026 So Far, "Hot Spot" & "Hexed" Trailers Jun 21, 2026

Show notes

For Episode 497, I am back from my ten year long overdue vacation and it's an old-school NBP reunion as just Will Mavity joins me to tell you what we feel have been the best films of 2026 so far as we approach the midway point of the year. For this week's poll question, we ask everyone that very question: "Which Is Your Favorite Film From 2026 So Far?" and we reveal the winner of last week's poll question tied to the release of Disney Pixar's "Toy Story 5," where we asked everyone, "Which Is Your Favorite Pixar Film?" We also share our reactions to the trailers for "Hexed" and "Hot Spot," answer your fan-submitted questions, and more! Thank you all for listening, subscribing, and supporting us. Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there, and enjoy!

Check out more on NextBestPicture.com

Please subscribe on...

Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw

And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPictureand listen to this podcast ad-free

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Toy Story 5" Jun 21, 2026

Show notes

For this week's main podcast review, Megan Lachinski, Josh Parham, Dan Bayer, Cody Dericks, and Daniel Howat join me to review and discuss the latest film in the "Toy Story" franchise from Disney Pixar, "Toy Story 5" starring Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Tony Hale, John Ratzenberger, Wallace Shawn, Blake Clark, Annie Potts, Bonnie Hunt, Melissa Villaseñor, Kristen Schaal, Keanu Reeves, Ally Maki, Greta Lee, Conan O’Brien, Craig Robinson, Shelby Rabara, Scarlett Spears, Mykal-Michelle Harris, Matty Matheson, Jeff Bergman, Anna Vocino, John Hopkins, Bad Bunny, Ernie Hudson & Alan Cumming. With Pixar veteran Andrew Stanton sitting in the director's chair for this fifth installment in the computer-animated franchise that changed cinema forever, and with many believing the franchise should've ended after "Toy Story 3," which capped off a perfect trilogy, fans are left wondering if there was reason to return to the world of everyone's favorite secretly living toys. Turns out the justification is technology and how it has impacted the toys' playtime with their owner, Bonnie. What did we think of it, especially after "Toy Story 4?" Please tune in to find out as we discuss the screenplay, its themes, the voice performances, animation, score, Taylor Swift's original song, its awards season chances, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy!

Check out more on NextBestPicture.com

Please subscribe on...

Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw

And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPictureand listen to this podcast ad-free

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Interviews With "Lord Of The Flies" Stars, Director & Writer Jun 20, 2026

Show notes

"Lord Of The Flies" is a television drama series based on the 1954 novel of the same name by William Golding. It is the first-ever television adaptation of the novel. It was developed and written by Emmy Award-winning writer Jack Thorne ("Adolescence"), directed by Marc Munden ("The Sympathizer") for BBC iPlayer and executive produced by Joel Wilson for BBC One in a co-production with Stan. The four-episode series was released in the UK in February, and then Sony Pictures Television confirmed Netflix had acquired the U.S. rights to the series, and it premiered on the streaming platform on May 4th, 2026, where it received positive reviews for its direction, cinematography, writing, and performances from its young cast of up-and-coming actors. Thorne, Munden, along with actors Winston Sawyers, Lox Pratt, David McKenna, and Ike Talbut were all kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experiences making the series, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the series, which is up for your consideration for this year's Emmy Awards and is now available to stream on Netflix. Thank you, and enjoy!

Check out more on NextBestPicture.com

Please subscribe on...

Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw

And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPictureand listen to this podcast ad-free

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Interview With "Rose Of Nevada" Star George MacKay & Filmmaker Mark Jenkin Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

"Rose Of Nevada" is a 2025 British science fiction drama film written, edited, composed, and directed by Mark Jenkin. Starring George MacKay, Callum Turner, and Francis Magee, the film tells the story of a fishing vessel that was lost at sea 30 years ago and mysteriously reappears in the harbor of a fishing village. The film had its world premiere in the Orizzonti section of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival and received positive reviews for its 16mm cinematography, sound work, performances, and intellectual and haunting concept. Jenkin and MacKay were both kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in New York and Los Angeles theaters from 1-2 Special. Thank you, and enjoy!

Check out more on NextBestPicture.com

Please subscribe on...

Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw

And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPictureand listen to this podcast ad-free

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Interview With "The Lowdown" Star Ethan Hawke Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

"The Lowdown" is an American crime comedy drama television series created by Sterlin Harjo for FX. It stars Ethan Hawke and Keith David. The series is set in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It features a man "who knows too much" (loosely inspired by historian Lee Roy Chapman), citizen journalist Lee Raybon (played by Ethan Hawke), a self-proclaimed Tulsa "truthstorian" whose obsession with the truth always lands him in trouble. It also stars Keith David, Kaniehtiio Horn, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Macon Blair, Scott Shepherd, Tim Blake Nelson, Tracy Letts, Dale Dickey, Paul Sparks, Peter Dinklage, and more! The series received critical acclaim for Hawke's performance and was renewed for a second season. Hawke was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience making the show, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the show, which is available to watch in full on FX on Hulu and is up for your consideration for this year's Emmy Awards in all eligible categories. Thank you, and enjoy!

Check out more on NextBestPicture.com

Please subscribe on...

Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw

And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPictureand listen to this podcast ad-free

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Interview With "Beef" Director & Executive Producer Jake Schreier Jun 18, 2026

Show notes

"Beef" is an American comedy-drama anthology television series created by Lee Sung Jin for Netflix. Season 1 starred Steven Yeun and Ali Wong and went on to win eight Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, and acting wins for Yeun and Wong. At the 81st Golden Globe Awards, it won in all three of its nominated categories, including Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television. Season 2 stars Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan as Joshua Martín and Lindsay Crane-Martín, and Cailee Spaeny and Charles Melton as Ashley and Austin, two couples; after the poor latter two blackmail the rich former two with footage of a heated argument that would threaten their image, a similarly prolonged feud ensues. The second season premiered on April 16th, 2026, and received critical acclaim for its performances, direction, and writing. Season 2 Director and Executive Producer Jake Schreier was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience making the series, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the show, which is available to watch on Netflix and is up for your consideration for this year's Emmy Awards in all eligible categories. Thank you, and enjoy!

Check out more on NextBestPicture.com

Please subscribe on...

Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw

And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPictureand listen to this podcast ad-free

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Next Best Picture Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected