Little Gold Men by Vanity Fair
Vanity Fair’s Little Gold Men takes you inside the world of film and television, from standing ovations at Sundance to the Best Picture award at the Oscars. With special guest appearances from stars, creators, and critics, our expert hosts dive into the power and glamour of Hollywood, as only Vanity Fair can.
Episodes
You Asked, We Answered: An Oscar Mailbag
The Little Gold Men inbox is overflowing! This week, Vanity Fair Staff Writer Chris Murphy joins Rebecca and John to answer your questions about The Odyssey's Oscar prospects, the ins and outs of awards campaigning, and Tom Holland's future beyond Spider-Man. Plus, the group shares their predictions for next year’s Sundance lineup.
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Are Documentaries the Hottest Movies of the Fall?
The films generating the most buzz right now aren’t big-budget blockbusters – they’re documentaries. To understand why, Rebecca, John, and VF Features Editor Hillary Busis discuss three provocative new docs: NAZA, an investigation into Israel's war in Gaza; Alex Gibney's four-hour Elon Musk exposé; and Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim's mind-bending Elizabeth Holmes documentary, You Can See Ever
The Emmys Leave Broadcast, Skydance Enters the Chat, and “Digger” Goes Bust
It’s been a whirlwind week in Hollywood, from the Emmys’ move to streaming and major premieres at the New York Film Festival to the newly official Warner Bros.–Paramount merger. Rebecca and John break down what it all means before turning to Digger, Tom Cruise’s first non-action movie in 15 years. VF Features Editor Hillary Busis joins them to unpack Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s critically savaged, box
Can "The Social Reckoning" Live Up to "The Social Network"?
Sixteen years after The Social Network introduced moviegoers to the dark side of Facebook’s founding, Aaron Sorkin is taking on the company again—this time as both writer and director—with The Social Reckoning. The film follows whistleblower Frances Haugen (played by Mikey Madison) as she exposes what Facebook knew about its own role in the spread of misinformation and political polarization. Rebe
TIFF Takeaways + Our Best Picture Predictions
The fall film festivals are officially behind us, which means it’s time to start making some Oscar predictions we may or may not regret. Vanity Fair Features Editor Hillary Busis joins Rebecca and John to recap the biggest takeaways from TIFF, including La Bola Negra’s big win and whether I Play Rocky can actually go the distance. Then, the group compares their Best Picture prediction lists, revea
The Best, Worst, and Weirdest Moments of the 2026 Emmys
The 2026 Emmys happened Monday night, so Little Gold Men is coming to you early this week to break down the biggest wins, losses, and surprises of the evening. Rebecca, Hillary, and Vanity Fair executive editor Maggie Coughlan dig into Widow’s Bay’s massive sweep, celebrate Rhea Seehorn’s long-awaited Emmy win, and consider what this year’s results tell us about the Television Academy’s evolving t
The Movies Everyone’s Talking About After Venice and Telluride
Rebecca and John are back from the Colorado mountains and Chris Murphy is fresh off the Lido, so it’s time to take stock of the first two major stops in fall festival season. The group discusses the films that soared, the docs that shocked, and the performances that could be headed all the way to the Oscars. Plus, Rebecca reveals just how far she went to uncover Telluride’s top-secret screening.
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Predicting The Most Unpredictable Races at This Year’s Emmys
The Emmys are almost here, which means it’s time to put our predictions – and our reputations – on the line. Vanity Fair features editor Hillary Busis joins Rebecca and John to break down the toughest races of the night, from the crowded comedy categories to a showdown in Lead Actress in a Drama. Then, the group makes the case for the long-shot contenders they’d most like to see take home a trophy
From Uncanny Valley: The Creators of 'Hacks' Really, Really, Really Hate AI
A bonus episode from our friends at WIRED's Uncanny Valley.
The hit HBO Max comedy series Hacks follows the tumultuous relationship between a young comedy writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) and legacy comedian Deborah Vance (Jean Smart). The show has also had a lot to say about the business of show business. Creators Paul W. Downs and Lucia Aniello join Katie to talk about writing the
What Happens When Authors Hate the Adaptation? Plus, Emmy Nominee Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Says Goodbye to “Wonder Man”
This week, Rebecca and John discuss the behind-the-scenes drama surrounding the film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone and the long, complicated history of authors clashing with Hollywood over adaptations of their books. Then, Rebecca catches up with Wonder Man star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II about the surprise cancellation of the series after its first season. They also discuss A
Mailbag! Plus, Katie Dippold on the Making of “Widow’s Bay”
The mailbag is open! This week, Rebecca and John answer your questions about this year’s Best Actress race, how to make the most of Telluride, and so much more. Then, John talks to Widow’s Bay creator and showrunner Katie Dippold about the inspiration behind the Emmy-nominated horror-comedy series. Stick around till the end for a special round of FMK: Horror Movie edition.
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Jason Bateman on His Most Un-Bateman Roles Yet
Jason Bateman has spent much of his career playing the calmest person in the room. But this year, his Emmy-nominated performances in Black Rabbit and DTF St. Louis flip that persona on its head. Rebecca talks with Bateman about embracing more emotionally exposed roles, how he decides which creative hats to wear on a project, and and why hosting SmartLess is the “easiest yet most lucrative” job of
We Nominate for Oblivion: The TV Trends We’re Ready to Leave Behind
This week, Rebecca, John, and Vanity Fair features editor Hillary Busis each make the case for one television trend they’d happily banish forever, from the airport novel adaptation to the fictionalized true-crime miniseries. Then, after adequate complaining, they discuss the kinds of shows they’d like to see more of, including lower-stakes storytelling and the return of great episodic television.
The Fall Film Festival Lineups Are Out. Will the Awards Follow?
This week, Rebecca and John are joined by Vanity Fair features editor Hillary Busis to discuss the recently announced Toronto and Venice Film Festival lineups. They spotlight the movies generating the most buzz and speculate about which might still be headed to Telluride. Plus, a spirited debate over which festival matters most and whether festivals still have the power to launch an Oscar campaign
How Apple TV (Ted) Lassoed a Record Number of Emmy Nominations
Apple TV netted a personal best 89 nominations and is the third-most-nominated network at this year's Emmy Awards (behind awards behemoths Netflix and HBO). But when the service first launched in 2019, with eight original series and zero back catalog, few would've predicted its current success. VF Special Correspondent Joy Press joins Rebecca and John to dig into the streamer's early fumbles and c
Can "The Odyssey" Survive the Long Journey to Best Picture?
This week, Rebecca and John are joined by Vanity Fair Features Editor (and resident classicist) Hillary Busis to dive in to Christopher Nolan's excellent new film, The Odyssey. First, on the off-chance you don't remember everything about Homer's original from your high school English class, Hillary gives a refresher on the plot points and themes of the epic poem. Then, the group digs in to the new
Emmy Nominations: Snubs, Surprises, and Embracing the Weird
This morning, the Television Academy announced its nominations for this year's Emmy Awards, so Rebecca and John sat down with VF Staff Writer Chris Murphy and Special Correspondent Joy Press to dig into the snubs and surprises of the day. Plus, they chat about the film news that's been percolating over the holiday break, from Luca Guadagnino's Artificial drama to the Obsession box office that keep
Our 2026 Emmy Nomination Predictions
This year’s Emmy nominations won’t be announced until July 8, but that isn’t stopping Little Gold Men from making some bold predictions. Rebecca and John are joined by Hillary Busis and Savannah Walsh for a category-by-category breakdown of the upcoming races. They discuss whether The Pitt will sweep in drama (again), if Widow’s Bay is this year’s sleeper hit, and whether The Bear’s reign may fina
An Honest Look At “Disclosure Day” and Spielberg’s Influence on Hollywood
"Disclosure Day," Steven Spielberg's latest extraterrestrial-inflected adventure, is drawing his biggest box office in years — all the more impressive given its originality. Critical reception has been largely positive, but is this film a return to form? Rebecca, John, and VF Staff Writer Chris Murphy debate the merits of the film, share their favorite Spielberg titles, and ask whether there's any
Charles Melton is Redefining the Himbo
Charles Melton plays a lovable (but none too bright) hottie in season two of the Netflix anthology series Beef. But beneath his character’s good natured surface is a man struggling to make sense of his identity and place in society. Rebecca sat down with Melton to discuss his character’s transformation, what it was like collaborating with series creator Lee Sung Jin, and how he interprets the
Summer Movie Preview, Plus: The Gilded Age’s Power Couple
Summer movie season is officially here, so Rebecca, John, and Hillary are breaking down the biggest studio blockbusters and under-the-radar gems on the horizon. From Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day to a slew of raunchy indie comedies, this season is shaping up to be a crucial test for Hollywood’s recovery. Then, Vanity Fair staff writer Chris Murphy talks with
Sydney Sweeney on Cassie, Clickbait, and Creative Control
Everyone and their mother has an opinion about Sydney Sweeney, but according to the actress herself, most people have no clue who she actually is. Rebecca caught up with Sweeney shortly after the Euphoria finale aired to talk about saying goodbye to Cassie Howard, filming the series’ long-awaited final season, and the deleted pole-dancing scenes she hopes fans eventually get to see. Plus: anime, i
The Breakout Stars of 'Love Story' on Playing Real People and Navigating Their Newfound Fame
FX's Love Story: John F. Kennedy, Jr. & Carolyn Bessette swept up audiences after it burst onto our TV's earlier this year. It also launched the careers of its two stars, Paul Anthony Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon, after their mesmerizing performances as the couple who became a national obsession. But it was a long road to get there, as they physically transformed into the iconic characters and dealt wi
Tony Awards Predictions, Plus: YouTubers in Theaters & 2 Major HBO Shows Say Goodbye
John and Rebecca discuss the scary-good box office for two recent horror debuts and the ups and downs of the Hacks and Euphoria series finales. Then, they pass the mic over to a NYC-based panel of theater lovers to talk about the awards show that puts the T in EGOT, this weekend's Tony Awards. Senior Editor Hillary Busis, Staff Writer Chris Murphy, Entertainment Director Caitlin Brody, and LGM Sen
Noah Wyle Is Ready for Another Shift
Noah Wyle didn’t expect The Pitt to become one of television’s biggest dramas, or for viewers to once again see him as their doctor. But after an Emmys-sweeping first season and decades spent playing physicians on screen, Wyle has learned to embrace both realities. Rebecca caught up with the actor, writer, producer, and director to talk about why he resisted going “bigger and bloodier” after seaso
The End of Late Night as We Know It
Stephen Colbert has officially signed off, CBS is exiting the late night game, and the future of the format feels more uncertain than ever. This week, Rebecca and John are joined by VF special correspondent Joy Press to discuss the final episode of The Late Show, the politics and economics behind CBS’s decision, and the social media stars redefining the genre. They also share their top picks for w
The Good, the Hellish, and the Just-OK from Cannes
In their final Cannes dispatch, Rebecca and John dish about some of the buzziest films of the week and attempt to predict the hard-to-pin-down Palme d'Or. They also discuss the reasons why the festival has seemed quieter this year, and debate which films we'll be talking about come Oscar season.Follow along on Vanity Fair's Cannes liveblog, and send your festival questions to littlegoldmen@vf.com.
The First Weekend at Cannes, in Parties, Acquisitions, and Premieres
After a party- and screening-filled weekend on the Croisette, Rebecca and John report back from the Cannes Film Festival, including a peek inside Vanity Fair's casually elegant event at Tetou. They discuss the couple of great films and the larger number of disappointing ones, and give a preview of the premieres to come. Plus, did Rebecca help Jordan Firstman decide which studio to go with for Club
Bonjour, Cannes!
Rebecca and John have had an eventful first few days at Cannes, from getting lost in the Palais, to a glamorous luncheon at the Carlton, to a surprisingly emotional The Fast and the Furious anniversary screening. In this first special episode from the festival, they talk about the films they've seen so far, the AI chatter on the ground, and the red carpet's most-discussed moments.Follow along
Your Cannes Questions, Answered. Plus: Our Way-Too-Early Oscar Predictions
This week, as Rebecca and John prepare to head overseas to cover the Cannes Film Festival, they're joined by BFF Hillary Busis to answer listener questions all about the storied event, from survival tips to what each programming category means, and whether the much-discussed La Pizza is actually any good. Then, the three intrepid co-hosts bravely offer some early predictions for Best Picture and m
The Agony and the Ecstasy of Euphoria
When Sam Levinson's vibey, drug-inflected high school show Euphoria premiered in 2019, it took the Internet by storm and quickly became the most-watched show on HBO Max — and most-memed show on social media — despite mixed reviews. But in the four years since the show's second season, rumors of off-screen chaos, as well as confirmed exits from cast and creatives, have made fans nervous. So, how do
A Sequel? To The Devil Wears Prada? Groundbreaking.
This week, Rebecca, John, and VF Staff Writer Savannah Walsh dive deep into the world of The Devil Wears Prada, looking back at what made the 2006 film so indelible and discussing how the sequel, set in the very different media landscape of 2026, gets it right. Then, Rebecca sits down with the writer behind both films, Aline Brosh McKenna, to talk about how the long-awaited sequel came to be and w
Zendaya Is the Moment. Here's Why.
In an age of handwringing about the lack of "real movie stars," Zendaya has entered the chat in style. The multi-hyphenate star is having a packed 2026, with the already-released Euphoria and The Drama — not to mention her high-profile collab with stylist Law Roach and sportswear brand On — and three of the year's most-anticipated blockbusters (Spider-Man: Brand New Day, The Odyssey, and Dune: Par
Reality TV's New Era of Scandal
We tune in to our favorite reality shows for the onscreen drama, but lately the scandals have started to spill off the screen and into the real world, from Taylor Frankie Paul to the Bravoverse. This week, VF Contributing Editor Anna Peele joins Rebecca and John to break down this chaotic moment in unscripted television, from the shows that are still on the air decades after they first premiered t
Catching Up On This Season of TV
The Oscars? We don’t know her. This week, Rebecca and John are joined by VF Special Correspondent Joy Press to dive back into the wonderful world of television. They preview the dramas, comedies, and limited series we'll be talking about when the Emmy Awards roll around in September, so you can catch up now. They also catch up on The Drama, the Euphoria premiere, and the decision to move the Oscar
The Best and Worst Awards Campaigns, According to Little Gold Men
The Oscars have come and gone, but Little Gold Men still has some superlatives to hand out. Rebecca, John, and Hillary gather to discuss the 2025-2026 awards season one last time. Who ran the best campaigns? Whose campaigns flopped? What were the best fashion moments and stunts we saw along the way? And whose career was changed for the better by this season?
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Oscars Highlights and Surprises, Plus a Peek Inside the Vanity Fair Party
After a long awards season, this year’s Oscars results were… kinda great! The winners came from a host of different deserving films, and no one movie or person felt robbed. Rebecca, John, and Chris woke up bright and early to dish about the ceremony’s highs and lows — and share some highlights from inside VF’s dinner and afterparty at LACMA.
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Little Gold Men's 100% Correct Oscar Predictions
Rebecca, John, and Hillary enter their final predictions in the most up-in-the-air Oscars race in recent memory. Will Timothée Chalamet's ballet and opera comments affect the Best Actor Race? Will there be a Sinners surge? And just how many statues will PTA be holding when he strolls into LACMA for the Vanity Fair Oscar Party? Plus, Rebecca sits down with Katy Mullan, an executive producer of
We Have A Race! How the PGA and Actor Awards Turned Everything Upside Down
This weekend's newly-rechristened Actor Awards gave the Oscar race a dash of chaos — and excitement. John and Rebecca recap how the evening's surprise winners changed their predictions for Best Actor and the Supporting categories, and whether the PGA's predictable coronation of One Battle After Another means it's a lock for Best Picture or not. Then, VF Staff Writer Savannah Walsh joins to preview
Mailbag! Plus, What that BAFTAs Moment Means For Sinners
John, Rebecca, and VF Staff Writer Chris Murphy answer listener mailbag questions on everything from how they'd fix the often-confounding Best Song category to how new Academy members get sorted into branches and whether the Best Actress race is as certain as it seems. They also talk about the incident at the BAFTA Awards this weekend, and discuss how the outcry might alter the Oscars chances for
Stellan Skarsgård Didn't Intend to Become an Actor; Now He's an Oscar Nominee
Stellan Skarsgård has acted in over 150 films and television shows, from independent projects in his native Sweden to some of Hollywood's biggest franchises. But his performance in Joachim Trier's Sentimental Value, as a filmmaker trying to connect with his estranged daughters, earned the actor his first-ever Oscar nomination. Rebecca and John sat down with Skarsgård in London ahead of the BAFTAs
![Michael B. Jordan Feels Like He's "Getting Beat Up By [His] Wildest Dreams"](https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/671566bc-73c7-11f1-b60b-cbbb2160ced3/image/d6ae64bf0877211b974b7ae2af302aa3.jpg?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress)
Michael B. Jordan Feels Like He's "Getting Beat Up By [His] Wildest Dreams"
Michael B. Jordan is so busy right now he'd actually benefit from having a twin to help lighten the workload. The actor, a self-proclaimed workaholic, is nominated for his first Oscar for his performance as twin brothers in Ryan Coogler's Sinners, and he's also in post-production on a project he's both directing and starring in, The Thomas Crown Affair. Rebecca caught up with him after the Academy
The Academy Nominations Have Gone Global
This week, John, Rebecca, and Hillary preview the 5 films nominated for Best International Feature: The Secret Agent (Brazil), It Was Just An Accident (France), Sentimental Value (Norway), Sirāt (Spain), and The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia). They recap their favorites and evaluate each film's chance in the race. Plus, they explain why more and more non-English-language films have been breaking in
Sex Is Back (On Screen)!
This week, Rebecca and John take a pause from this year's Oscar races to dish about Emerald Fennell's buzzy, divisive, and tongue-forward "Wuthering Heights". Then, VF Staff Writer Chris Murphy joins to break down why sexy TV shows like Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette and Heated Rivalry have captured our imagination and created rabid fan bases for its stars. They also discuss
In The Secret Agent, Wagner Moura Makes the Political Personal
The Secret Agent has broken through the Oscar conversation in a big way: the Brazilian film is nominated not only for Best International Feature, but also Best Picture, Best Casting, and, of course, Best Actor, for Wagner Moura's indelible performance. Rebecca caught up with Moura a few weeks after his historic nomination to talk about the film and how he sees himself and his politics in the chara
Oscar Controversy Comes for Marty Supreme
John, Rebecca, and Hillary discuss last week's California Post story about an alleged incident on the set of Josh and Benny Safdie's Good Time (2017), and debate whether the news will affect Marty Supreme's Oscar chances. They also look back at Oscars scandals and whisper campaigns of the recent past, from Emilia Perez to Shakespeare in Love, and consider how social media has influenced the race o
A Masterclass on Awards Show Fashion, Plus a Dispatch from Sundance
Vanity Fair Style Correspondent José Criales-Unzueta joins John and Rebecca to discuss how dressing for the red carpet has evolved since the days of Old Hollywood. He breaks down the stylists and partnerships that have made dressing for awards season more corporate, and shares whose look he’s most excited to see at the Oscars. Plus, John and VF Senior Hollywood Editor Hillary Busis share their tak
The Oscar Nominations Are Here, and Sinners Just Made History
Happy Oscar Nom Day! Rebecca, John, and VF Staff Writer Chris Murphy were up bright and early to analyze this year's Academy Award nominations. They talk about Sinners's historic 16 nominations, and the snubs (Wicked: For Good) and surprises (Kate Hudson) that might make this Oscars more unpredictable than everyone initially thought. Plus, they offer suggestions and predictions for the ceremony it
The Highs and Lows of the Golden Globes
The 83rd Golden Globes kept the momentum going for most of the expected winners, but the night still delivered a couple of notable surprises and a killer monologue from Nikki Glaser. Rebecca and John share their impressions of what went down inside the Beverly Hilton (including Rebecca's almost-Jason Derulo moment), and try to predict what the Globes wins—and losses—mean for Academy nominations vo
The Make-It-Or-Break-It Races We're Watching at the Golden Globes
The winter break is barely over, but Rebecca and John have already hit the ground running. They share dispatches from the Palm Springs Gala and the Critics Choice Awards, and debate whether Academy voters will be able to get over the Kardashian of it all. Then, Little Gold Men's best friend, Hillary Busis, joins the conversation to make some bold predictions about what will happen at Sunday's Gold
Joel Edgerton Explored His Greatest Fears for Train Dreams
At a special Little Gold Men live event at the Regent Santa Monica Beach, the Australian actor revealed that he had tried to get the rights to Denis Johnson's book four years earlier. But, he tells John and Rebecca, the wait was worth it to make Clint Bentley's version of the story, which explores fatherhood. "Robert, for me, felt like some version of myself and that felt like a worthwhile thing t
From Indies to Blockbusters, Paul Mescal Commands the Screen
In this episode from the archives, Rebecca talks with the Aftersun Oscar nominee and Hamnet star Paul Mescal, who starred last year in Ridley Scott's long-awaited Gladiator II. The indie darling reveals why he finally said yes to a blockbuster, the sage advice he got from his director, and why he's been working at such an intense pace since Normal People. Plus, he answers the Proust Questionnaire,
Ariana Grande Has Been Forever Changed by Wicked (and Wicked: For Good)
In this episode from the archives, the Oscar nominee talks to Rebecca about how much playing Glinda the Good Witch transformed her, from permanently changing her vocal cords to shifting her emotionally as well. Plus, she talks about how she survives living a very public life and plays a round of Proust Roulette.
This episode originally aired on Feb 11, 2025
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Little Gold Men's Unsolicited Advice for Hollywood in 2026
Rebecca and John are joined by VF's Hillary Busis to share some words of wisdom for Hollywood as we enter the new year. And Hollywood had better take note as they offer priceless unsolicited advice to the powers that be. They also share their predictions for the 10 Best Picture nominees, and discuss who is on the bubble and where there could be some surprises. Finally, Rebecca and John review the
Amanda Seyfried is Shaking Things Up With The Testament of Ann Lee and The Housemaid
Rebecca talks with Amanda Seyfried, who has two films coming out over two weeks: she stars as a wealthy woman with secrets in The Housemaid, and as the leader of the Shaker religious movement in the ambitious epic The Testament of Ann Lee. The actress discusses the confidence she needed to have in herself, along with the challenges of learning the intense dance style used in the latter. "The natur
For Frankenstein, Jacob Elordi Covered Up to Reveal His True Self
Rebecca chats with Jacob Elordi, who plays the creature in Guillermo del Toro’s moving film. He reveals how he prepared for the unique role, his biggest concerns with the hours-long prosthetics process, and why it was, in a way, a religious experience. "I suppose maybe it takes a mask sometimes for people to see the truth of something," he says of his experience. Plus. the Australian actor talks a
The Not-Too-Messy Golden Globes Nominations
Rebecca and John are joined by their VF colleague Chris Murphy to talk all about the Globes nominations, including the biggest snubs (Wicked: For Good) and surprises (Eva Victor, Emily Blunt). They also discuss the influx of international features and what's going on with the new podcast category. Plus, they debate how the news about Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros. might affect the Oscar rac
Mailbag: The Most Cutthroat Below-the-Line Oscar Races and What's Going on With the New Casting Category
This week, Rebecca and John are joined by VF Senior Editor Hillary Busis to answer a slew of mailbag questions. They highlight some of the more interesting below-the-line races, including cinematography and editing. They also debate if having a popular TV show can help an Oscar contender's chances, and whether "KPop Demon Hunters" has a shot at a Best Picture nod. Finally, they make their December
Inside The Vanity Fair Hollywood Issue, Plus Why Great Films Are Flopping
John and Rebecca take stock of a series of star-studded Oscar contenders that are having trouble at the box office. They debate why so many indie adult dramas can't find an audience in today's marketplace, and what that might mean for their awards chances. Then, they break down the best actor race, one of the most competitive we've seen in years. And speaking of leading men, Rebecca and John are a
Did The Grammy Awards Nominations Finally Get It Right!?!
Rebecca and John go down a road less traveled on this week's Little Gold Men and discuss the Grammy Awards with Vanity Fair associate editor Daniela Tijerina and staff writer Erin Vanderhoof. They break down this year's surprisingly good nominations, the Grammy's bumpy relationship with the music industry, and the idiosyncrasies of the Recording Academy before weighing in on their hopes for perfor
Is This Year's Crop of Contenders the Most Political Ever?
Rebecca and John are joined by their VF colleague Hillary Busis to discuss the overtly political movies of the season, including One Battle After Another, A House of Dynamite, and Bugonia. Plus, they look back at how the political climate has previously affected the awards race. Finally, they discuss how stars and directors navigate the tricky task of promoting their movies when politics are front
Which of These Awards Shows Actually Matter?
Rebecca and John are joined by their VF colleague Chris Murphy to talk about the season’s first nominations, The Gotham Awards. They debate which awards ahead of the Oscars actually indicate true frontrunners. Plus, they pick their favorite new movies hitting theaters in November.
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Introducing Tough Cookie: The Wally “Famous” Amos Story
Meet Wally Amos. He founded the ubiquitous Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookies in 1975, turning the brand into an overnight sensation and himself into a pop-culture fixture in the 1970s and 1980s.
But there’s a darker side to Wally’s seemingly sweet story. One filled with five marriages to six women and a string of bad business decisions that led him to lose the empire he had created.
When
How to Hit a High Note with a Music Biopic
Rebecca and John discuss Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, which hits theaters Friday. Along with debating its awards chances, they are joined by music journalist Alan Light, who reveals why there’s been such an uptick in music biopics. Finally, John and Rebecca break down the best director race, which could be full of directors who have been long overdue for their first nominations.
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Marty Supreme Storms NYFF – And the Oscar Race
Rebecca and John recap the two biggest premieres of the New York Film Festival, Bradley Cooper's 'Is This Thing On?' and the surprise debut of Josh Safdie's 'Marty Supreme'. They also discuss Timothée Chalamet's already eccentric promotional stunts for the latter. Finally, they take a deep dive into the best actress race, which may have one clear frontrunner, but lots of spots up for grabs.
What Does Netflix Have to Do to Win Best Picture?
Rebecca and John are joined by VF's Hillary Busis to discuss Kathryn Bigelow's A House of Dynamite, which hits select theaters Friday. Then, they take a closer look at Netflix's packed Oscars slate, and discuss what's been holding the streamer back from nabbing their first best picture Oscar win. Could this be the year?
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Can You Smell What The Rock is Cooking? Is it An Oscar?
This week, Rebecca and John discuss The Smashing Machine, Benny Safdie's new movie starring Dwayne Johnson as MMA fighter Mark Kerr. They are joined by Vanity Fair contributing editor Tom Kludt, who shares his thoughts on why sports movies are audience favorites but not always awards winners and what Johnson should do to become king of the Oscar ring. Plus, Rebecca and John share their picks
Leonardo DiCaprio's Battle for Another Oscar
Rebecca and John are joined by VF writer Kase Wickman to talk about Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another, which hits theaters Friday. After agreeing that the film feels like a real Best Picture contender, they take a closer look at star Leonardo DiCaprio's chances of earning another Oscar nomination — and why his path to winning an Academy Award was so tumultuous. Finally, they explain
The Surprise Emmy Winners Saved the Show
Rebecca and John are joined by their Vanity Fair colleagues Chris Murphy and Hillary Busis to break down all those surprise winners on Emmys night. They also discuss why Nate Bargatze struggled as a host and that controversial acceptance speech countdown clock. Finally, they each pitch one dramatic change that could fix the Emmys and make it more appealing in the future.
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The Highs and Lows of the Venice, Telluride, and Toronto Film Festivals
Rebecca and John are joined by Joy Press to talk about the Venice, Telluride, and Toronto Film Festivals, where some movies soared (Hamnet) and other stumbled (After the Hunt). They also take a closer look at some of the most contested Emmys races ahead of Sunday's show.
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Riz Ahmed and James McAvoy, Live from TIFF
From our live show at the Toronto Film Festival, James McAvoy discusses the true story behind his directorial debut, California Schemin’. Then, Hamlet star Riz Ahmed joins us to explain why the Shakespeare drama still resonates. Recorded from the St. Regis Hotel in Toronto.
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How the Oscars Have Changed — and Changed Us
David, Richard, and Rebecca answer mailbag questions about how the Oscars have changed, the most annoying film discourses of all time, and tips for attending film festivals. They also dream-cast LGM with previous Oscar winners as the hosts. Finally, as David and Richard say farewell, they present the Little Gold Men Awards and share their favorite Oscar-watching memories.
Heading to TIFF? Join us
Our Extremely Early Oscar Best-Picture Predictions
Ahead of the fall festivals, David, Rebecca, and Richard get wildly speculative by presenting their own predictions for which 10 movies will be nominated for the best-picture Oscar. They discuss the apparent front-runner so far, the few other apparent locks, and which winter releases appear bound to surprise.
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The Bear Made Ayo Edebiri a Star – and Now a Director
The actor and director, nominated in both Emmy categories, talked to Rebecca about her ambitions for writing and directing in the future, including giving a certain purple dinosaur of children’s TV the film treatment. She also shares her thoughts about fans shipping Syd and Carmy, and why being on The Bear has made her hopeful for the future of Hollywood.
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Summer Movie Wins and Emmy Underdogs
This week, David, Richard, and Rebecca take a look at Warner Bros.' hot streak, which continued with the horror hit Weapons. They also each pick a couple Emmy nominees they hope get a little love from voters ahead of final voting next week. Finally, they answer some listener questions, defending the Academy's choice to open up Best Picture to 10 nominees.
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For Michelle Williams, Dying on Dying for Sex Was “Therapeutic”
Emmy nominee Michelle Williams on the role that brought her back to screen after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus, what it’s like to die over and over again onscreen, and what keeps her optimistic about the film and TV industry.
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Hamnet's Moving Portrayal of Grief Feels Both Timeless and Timely
In the second installment of this summer's Little Gold Men book club series, David, Richard, and Rebecca are joined by VF's Hillary Busis to discuss Maggie O'Farrell's Hamnet, which explores grief and hope from the perspective of William Shakespeare's wife. At the end of the episode, O'Farrell herself joins David and Rebecca to talk about Chloe Zhao's movie adaptation starring Jessie Buckley and P
Ben Stiller Wants to Make Severance More Quickly—But First, He Needs to Get It Just Right
Ben Stiller joins the show and goes deep on his busy year, from filming the “daunting” new Meet the Parents movie to planning Severance season 3—right after that huge Emmy noms haul. Plus, exclusive details on the richly personal documentary he directed about his parents, coming out in October.
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'Fantastic Four' and an Alternate Marvel Universe
David, Richard, and Rebecca share their thoughts on The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and if the movie is a success as a Marvel reset. Plus, they imagine a world where Marvel never existed and what that would have meant for some of the franchise stars' careers. Then, they wrap up with a festival-related listener question.
Our next Little Gold Men book club read is Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell. We'll
Oscar Season Begins: Inside the Venice and TIFF Lineups
This week, David, Rebecca, and Richard dive into the newly announced TIFF and Venice Film Festival lineups for clues on front-runners and sleepers in the Oscar season to come—as well as a few surprising omissions. The hosts also dig into the shocking cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show, and revisit Ari Aster’s Eddington after its muted opening weekend.
Our next Little Gold Men book clu
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