Culture Pop Podcast

Episode 342 - Best Picture contenders ANORA and EMILIA PÉREZ

Mase & Sue talk about two of their favorite films of 2024 - ANORA and EMILIA PÉREZ. Plus, Sue has crow and boob concerns, Mase gives a master class on all things JOHN WICK, the casting of Timothée Chalamet in A COMPLETE UNKNOWN, and an unusual proposal for theater projectionists.

Episode 341 - Actor Tim Matheson on "Animal House," "West Wing," & his new memoir + 'Fight Club' 25th Anniversary!

Tim Matheson joins Mase & Sue to discuss the inspiration for his new memoir, DAMN GLAD TO MEET YOU, chronicling seven decades of his colorful career. They talk about growing up in Hollywood, learning his craft as a child actor, the benefit of reaching success at a later age, working alongside Jackie Gleason, Dick Van Dyke, Lucille Ball - their sage advice, landing the role of Otter in the iconic college frat film, ANIMAL HOUSE, a close call before the first day of shooting, a famed character he almost got to play, WEST WING days, the Aaron Sorkin walk and talks, becoming a director, how he reconciled his strained relationship with his dad, and his list of films everyone should see. Plus, a few of Mase & Sue’s favorite films of 2024, FIGHT CLUB gets a remaster to celebrate its 25th anniversary, and a well-known actor thinks Mel Gibson deserves a second, third or fourth chance despite his past inflammatory remarks.

Episode 340 - “Hysteria” star Anna Camp & the problem with reality TV

Anna Camp joins Mase & Sue to talk about her new thriller series HYSTERIA! streaming on Peacock October 18^th. They discuss this coming-of-age story wrapped around the Satanic Panic of the 80’s, how the nostalgia sparked first love memories, her character in TRUE BLOOD and our fascination with the occult, ouiji boards, why people like to be scared, co-starring in the PITCH PERFECT films, reasons for choosing her roles, auditioning for Woody Allen, and her surprise scene partner in MAD MEN. Plus, Sue continues her GAME OF THRONES journey with the origin of Hodor’s name and characters she can’t wait to see die. Plus reaction to the top Netflix streaming film, THE UNION starring Halle Berry and Mark Wahlberg, and how reality TV is creating a coarsening in society.

Episode 339 - American Sports Story Aaron Hernandez “ producers Nina Jacobson & Stu Zicherman plus “Joker Folie á Deux" and “The Penguin"

Creator/Executive Producer Stu Zicherman and Executive Producer Nina Jacobson join Mase & Sue to talk about the first season of their F/X anthology series AMERICAN SPORTS STORY:AARON HERNANDEZ which focuses on the rise and fall of the polarizing former NFL player. They discuss the inspiration for tackling this project, where they found their source material, the culture of college and pro football that overlooked his behavior, the pressure of his secret life, the challenge of writing dialogue for real characters and hiring a former NFL player to capture the authenticity. Also, casting actors who check all the boxes, how you become a showrunner, the complex CTE issue, the gladiator aspect, and the million-dollar question – what will it take to make football safe? Plus, the Mets save Sue from having a heart attack, Mase’s media day with the Lakers, coffee talk, the October 4th premiere of JOKER: FOLIE  Á DEUX, famous movie psychopaths, and Mase and Sue’s take on the HBO Max series THE PENGUIN.

Episode 338 - “Game of Thrones” star Kristian Nairn on playing Hodor plus the Clooney-Tarantino rift

Kristian Nairn joins Mase & Sue to talk about his beautifully written, brutally honest memoir BEYOND THE THRONE, chronicling his colorful life before and throughout his years portraying the beloved character Hodor on HBO’s epic series, GAME OF THRONES. They discuss the inspiration for writing the book and how he was cast, his physical challenges and limited dialogue, the backstory he created, the enduring relationships formed, growing up as an outlier in Belfast, and living under civil unrest. Also, how he became one of Ireland’s best house DJs, and the story behind Revlon, his drag queen persona. Plus, George Clooney’s beef with Quentin Tarantino, Buzzfeed is in the AI business, their hot takes on Minions, Disney live action remakes, THE JOKER, LA LA LAND, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, HAMILTON and to binge or not to binge TV shows.

Episode 337 - Emmys reaction plus actor Michael Beach talks “The Perfect Couple” & “Tulsa King

One of the hardest working actors on the planet, Michael Beach, joins Mase & Sue to talk about THE PERFECT COUPLE, MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN, TULSA KING, and everything in between. They discuss juggling multiple characters, what’s most important in choosing a project, the secret sauce of Taylor Sheridan’s success, ride-alongs with cops, the process in creating his roles, the dynamic of working with Sylvester Stallone and Nicole Kidman, and his rivalry with Liev Schreiber. Plus, Emmy’s hits, misses and THE BEAR brouhaha.

Episode 336 - Comic/Actor Byron Bowers talks “Lady in the Lake” plus October movie preview

Byron Bowers joins Mase & Sue to talk about APPLE TV+’s 60’s set drama thriller miniseries, LADY IN THE LAKE, based on the novel by Laura Lippman. They discuss his creative and personal relationship with the show’s director/EP Alma Har’el, how they hooked up, the connection between his character and stand-up career, owning who he is on stage, how it’s evolved, and the years it took to gain confidence and respect as a comedian. They also talk about his father’s schizophrenia, its effect on his life and how he tackles it in his act, the qualities that a woman director brings to the table vs men, working with a visionary, the series mix of genres, the compelling soundtrack, and acting opposite Oscar winner, Natalie Portman.  Also, his maiden acting voyage into the Marvel Universe and the car loving LA destination event, THE GOOD VIBES BREAKFAST CLUB. Plus, Mase’s latest Broadway favs, and their picks for upcoming films in October.

Episode 335 - EMMYS Preview with Awards Expert Mark Ellis

Comedian & Rotten Tomatoes Podcaster Mark Ellis joins Mase & Sue for some pumped up Emmy talk, and a dash of NFL football. They discuss the hosting duo of Eugene and Dan Levy, SHOGUN garnering the most nods - will it be the darling of the night or will SLOW HORSES be a dark horse for Best Drama? Can Donald Glover edge out Hiroyuki Sanada? Has THE CROWN lost its appeal? The bizarre placement of THE BEAR in the comedy column. Quinta Brunson or Jean Smart? Andrew Scott or Richard Gadd? Will the unique cultural phenomenon BABY REINDEER reign over the dark, thrilling, aesthetically beautiful RIPLEY? And will Jodie Foster take home the gold for TRUE DETECTIVE? Also, a crazy take on why Gary Oldman won’t win, and a terrible show that we continue to watch. Plus, what to expect from the Washington Commanders this season.

Episode 334 - “Twisters” star Katy O’Brian, the “Baby Reindeer” lawsuit & the next music biopic

Katy O’Brian returns to the CULTURE POP PODCAST to talk to Mase & Sue about the blockbuster box office smash, TWISTERS, her experience with real tornadoes, landing her role, reuniting with MANDALORIAN director Lee Isaac Chung, the challenge of acting with visual effects, getting tips from real storm chasers, the dynamic of starring in a film as opposed to being part of an ensemble, dealing with Crohn’s disease, Mission Impossible 8 and her take on Tom Cruise. Also working with George Romero’s daughter, how being a queer actor has impacted her career, and a dinner date with mussels. Plus, weight training, lessons in osteoporosis, another triathlon, a BABY REINDEER legal uproar update, the stellar casting of the GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS Broadway revival, Madonna’s new biopic, biopic’s that haven’t been made and Jason Reitman’s upcoming SNL film, SATURDAY NIGHT.

Episode 333 - Producer Bruce Cohen talks “Blink Twice” & which sitcom would you want to live in

Academy Award winning producer Bruce Cohen joins Mase & Sue to discuss his new psychological thriller, BLINK TWICE and prolific career. They talk about the connection between he and first-time director, Zoë Kravitz, the development process in making a film, how the location where it was shot mirrored the story, decompression after a shoot, getting his start working with Steven Spielberg, the greatest lessons learned, and his path to winning an Academy Award for AMERICAN BEAUTY. They also talk about the films RUSTIN, MILK and SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK, how his personal life is inherent in the movies he’s produced, the difficulty getting gay themed films made, his political and social activism work and a fascinating introduction by Sean Penn to one of his friends. Plus, what sitcom would you most want to be trapped in? And bizarre celebrity behavior.