Episodes

May 6, 2020

Episode 179: John Turturro "The Jesus Rolls"

The man, the myth, The Jesus! Actor/writer/director John Turturro joins us to talk about his new movie ‘The Jesus Rolls’! As well as creating the iconic character with the Coen brothers, about the underachievers, the dreamers, the ‘passione’ and so much more. From 'Do the Right Thing' ,'Barton Fink…

May 4, 2020

Episode 178: Screenwriter Jack Thorne ( Netflix 'The Eddy')

Screenwriter, playwright and five time BAFTA award winner Jack Thorne joins us to talk about his new Netflix series ‘The Eddy’, directed by Academy Award winner Damien Chazelle. Also, how E.T. impacted his writing and life, writing the smash hit Harry Potter and the Cursed Child for the stage, his …

May 1, 2020

Episode 177: A special update! Big changes at the Oscars! With Erik Anderson (AwardsWatch)

Erik Anderson, editor-in-chief of Awardswatch.com…

April 30, 2020

Episode 176: Jason Hehir, Director, Michael Jordan's 'The Last Dance'

Director Jason Hehir joins us to talk about “The Last Dance” his series that, this week, became the most in-demand documentary in the world! “The Last Dance” is a brilliant deep dive into Michael Jordan, the Chicago Bulls' dynasty and the final championship season in 1997-98. It features never be…

April 25, 2020

Epi 175: TV critic Eric Deggans (NPR) on the state of TV. The shutdowns, the future +what to watch!

Eric Deggans, TV critic and media analyst at NPR …

April 22, 2020

Episode 174: Holland Taylor "Hollywood"

Icon Holland Taylor joins us this week! Ms Taylor has a long career in the theatre and on Broadway. She’s starred in films like ‘The Truman Show’ and ‘Legally Blonde’ and on television in shows like ‘Bosom Buddies’ with Tom Hanks, ‘Two and a Half Men’ and she won an Emmy for her role on ‘The Practi…

April 19, 2020

Episode173: Italian journalist Alessio Lasta, reporting from the frontlines of the Covid-19 pandemic

For the award winning Italian journalist Alessio …

April 15, 2020

Epi172 writer Chris Smith on Trump's press briefings,claims ‘total authority' +the rise of Gov Cuomo

Journalist and author Chris Smith (Vanity Fair, N…

April 10, 2020

Episode 171: Steve Schirripa, 'Sopranos', 'Talking Sopranos'

We had the best time talking to actor Steve Schirripa (Sopranos, Blue Bloods) who played one of our favorite characters on The Sopranos, Bobby ‘Baccala’ Baccalieri; the big hearted wise-guy, Uncle Juniors caretaker who later married Tony Soprano’s sister Janice. In the conversation Mr Schirripa tak…

April 4, 2020

Episode 170: Arian Moayed 'Succession'

We had such a great conversation with actor, writer, theatre director and arts educator Arian Moayed! We talked about Mr Moayed's background, acting and healing through the arts and, of course, his terrific performance as Stewy Hosseini on HBO's ‘Succession’… SO many great Succession stories, it wi…

March 31, 2020

Episode 169: The changing landscape of TV/Film with Erik Anderson. + our 'Tiger King' deep dive!

On this episode Christina Jeurling Birro and Erik…

March 26, 2020

Epi 168: Kimmel, Fallon and how late night is tackling the Corona crisis. With journalist Jen Chaney

The show must go on----from home! Journalist and TV critic Jen Chaney (New York Magazine, NY Times) joins me to talk about how the late night talk shows are tackling their productions during the Coronavirus epidemic. The TV and Film industries are changing minute by minute as the Covid-19 outbreak…

March 24, 2020

Episode 167: Judith Heumann "Crip Camp" (Netflix), Author "Being Heumann"

This week we are honored to have disability rights activist Judith Heumann on the show. Ms Heumann is the author of “Being Heumann” (together with Kristen Joiner) and stars in the new Netflix documentary “Crip Camp”, exec produced by Michelle and Barack Obama. She talks to us about how her experien…

March 20, 2020

Epi 166 An update w/ Erik Anderson: the state of the film industry, movies abt self-isolation & more

Epi 166 An update w/ Erik Anderson: the state of …

March 13, 2020

Episode 165: Writer/Producer Ed Burns "The Plot Against America"

This week on Pop Culture Confidential the great writer/producer Ed Burns. Burns, a former Baltimore detective and public school teacher, has together with David Simon written and produced some of TVs greatest shows, including "The Wire”. The Philip Roth novel "The Plot Against America” (published i…

March 3, 2020

164: Guest Erik Anderson/AwardsWatch on Coronavirus industry impact,César protests & our new collab!

Very happy to welcome back the Editor-in-Chief of…

Feb. 25, 2020

Episode 163: Actor Rick Rossovich on the legacy of Top Gun, 1986 to 2020 and beyond!

We feel the need for speed!! On the show this week actor Rick Rossovich who played Ron ‘Slider’ Kerner, wingman to Val Kilmer’s Iceman in Top Gun (1986). Mr. Rossovich talks about his career, his experiences on Top Gun, the myths and legacy of the franchise, his work in TV and more! All leading up …

Feb. 13, 2020

Epi 162 Exclusive interview with Alicia Vikander, playing icon Gloria Steinem and finding her voice.

We are thrilled to bring you this special and personal conversation with actor Alicia Vikander! She talks to us about starring as feminist icon Gloria Steinem in the upcoming film ‘The Glorias’ (directed by Julie Taymor), about how she has has found her voice and what she wants to do with her Holly…

Feb. 7, 2020

Episode 161: Oscar week! Predicting the Oscars with Math. "Oscarmetrics" Ben Zauzmer

On this Pop Culture Confidential Oscar week special: Predicting the Oscars with math, analytics and good old fashion statistics! Our guest is mathematician Ben Zauzmer. Mr. Zauzmer majored in applied math at Harvard University and works as a manager of baseball analytics for the Los Angeles Dodger…

Feb. 5, 2020

Episode 160: The 2020 Oscar predictions special with Kyle Buchanan of The New York Times

It’s our 2020 Oscar predictions special! We are thrilled to welcome Kyle Buchanan back to the show, for the 3rd year in a row. Mr Buchanan is the New York Times Carpetbagger columnist and reporter, covering every aspect of awards season. Join us as we predict the winners and discuss this years Aca…

Episode 159: Oscar week special! 'Citizen Canine', author Wendy Mitchell

Feb. 4, 2020