Culture Pop Podcast

Episode 323 - Lili Taylor talks to Mase & Sue about her role in OUTER RANGE

Lili Taylor talks to Mase & Sue about her role in OUTER RANGE  - the American neo-Western supernatural mystery thriller streaming on Amazon Prime. They discuss the challenges of shooting out of sequence, reaction to seeing the finished product for the first time, time travel and strange unexplainable events, the concept of predetermination, Noah Reid’s sweet performance, and acting opposite co-star/executive producer Josh Brolin. Also, the classic film MYSTIC PIZZA, her relationship with the cast, Robert Altman’s SHORT CUTS, the pros and cons of working with a director who encouraged improv, her experience working on HOUSEHOLD SAINTS, I SHOT ANDY WARHOL, THE CONJURING, and decompressing from certain roles. Plus, the premiere of HULU’s new FX miniseries CLIPPED, best-selling musical acts of all time and show business nepo babies.

Episode 322 - “Hacks” showrunner & co-star Paul W. Downs plus JLO’s big swing

Fresh off the news of a fourth season, HACKS co-creator, co-showrunner and star Paul W. Downs talks to Mase & Sue about the evolution of the critically acclaimed HBO series. They chat about the inspiration for the show, the casting of Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder, the stigma of women of a certain age, the comedy, poignancy, attention to detail in the writing, the dynamic of working with a spouse and how they nailed the season ending episode. Plus, the return of HOUSE OF THE DRAGON, THE BEAR, Prime Video release of the documentary I AM:CELINE DION and the state of Jennifer Lopez’s complicated professional life.

Episode 321 - Josh Segarra talks “Big Door Prize” plus is this the end of the “Mad Max” franchise

Josh Segarra joins Mase & Sue to talk about the quirky, feel-good APPLE TV series, THE BIG DOOR PRIZE. They discuss how the theme of the show reflects their real lives, what fueled his character’s transformation in Season 2, why people connect to the show, the dynamic of working with showrunner David West Read, his love of professional wrestling and how it was implemented in an episode. Plus, how his parents affected his career, his role of Lance in THE OTHER TWO, the art of auditioning and throwing out first pitches and singing National Anthem. Also, Mase & Sue’s Furiosa review, theories on why it wasn’t a box office hit and the sad state of affairs with reality TV.

Episode 320 - Christopher McDonald on “Hacks” & “Happy Gilmore 2” plus standing ovations at Cannes and Coppola’s “Megalopolis"

Christopher McDonald comes back for seconds to chat with Mase & Sue about the return of his hilarious Shooter McGavin role in HAPPY GILMORE 2, what made the film a cult classic, Adam Sandler’s mad dramatic acting skills, and season 3 of HBO MAX’s hit series, HACKS. They talk about the star-studded guest roles, brilliant writing, the exploration of the sensitive side of his character, Marty, and where he hopes the story of he and Jean Smart’s Deborah may lead. Also, the certain quality of many of the parts he’s portrayed, where he finds the traits for his roles, and the state of his beloved Buffalo Bills. Plus, a sunglass expedition in Florida, Justin Timberlake brings sexy back in his live stage show, KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES incredible special effects, the issue with the first of a trilogy film series, the ridiculously long standing ovations at Cannes and Francis Ford Coppola’s 120-million-dollar polarizing self-financed film, MEGALOPOLIS.

Episode 319 - “Sugar” Finale Watch-Along with Mase & Sue

Mase & Sue end their SUGAR Watch-Along series with a wrap up of the 8^th episode finale and speculations as to what a hopeful second season may bring. Sugar succeeds in getting Olivia safely home, the polyglots are scrambling to get back to their planet, Miller doesn’t make it, Ruby’s fate is left unknown, Sugar’s confidant Henry’s sordid secrets are revealed – the kidnapping of Sugar’s sister, Jen and involvement with the crooked Senator’s creepy son, and the reveal of Sugar’s true identity to Melanie. After turning down Jonathan Siegel’s offer to head up his security, Sugar is committed to remain in the place that has made him more human. Henry declares he will do the same. If APPLE TV takes another whack at a sophomore season, will the power of Sugar’s “love” prevail in preventing the “hate” Henry’s embraced from getting more out of hand on the streets of LA? And will Sugar finally be at peace by finding his beloved sister?

Episode 318 - Blockbuster season - from “Furiosa” to “Deadpool & Wolverine” - plus “Funny Girl” star Katerina McCrimmon

Katerina McCrimmon joins Mase & Sue to talk about her starring role in the touring company revival of the iconic Broadway musical, FUNNY GIRL. They discuss pros and cons of life on the road, childhood aspirations, her destiny in portraying Fanny Brice, the nature vs nurture of one’s talent, the evolution from rehearsals to opening night, the most challenging song in the show, the difficulty of two performances a day, steering clear of Barbra Streisand comparisons, her Cuban heritage, and musical influences. Plus, this season’s must-see blockbuster movies.

Episode 317 - “Sugar” Watch-Along Episode 7 - The mission is over. Sugar still looking for Olivia.

Mase & Sue discuss Episode 7 and what the finale may reveal in their SUGAR Watch Along with Dennis Boutsikaris, who portrays the cagey Bernie Siegel. Is Olivia dead or alive? The connection between her and Sugar’s sister, Jen, the aftermath of the thwarted secret mission, the federal government being hip to their existence, a senator’s son’s involvement and will Sugar flee with his Polyglot pals? Plus, Dennis takes the fifth on a crucial question, his early reaction to where the show was heading, the clues that led to Sugar’s real identity, the abundance of handheld camerawork, the controversy over the alien reveal, and the beauty of working with Colin Farrell.

Episode 316 - Comedian/Actor Allan Havey on Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David, the movie theatre experience & the perfect MAD MEN finale

Comedian/actor Allan Havey returns to the CULTURE POP PODCAST to chat with Mase & Sue about surviving the pandemic, acting, stand up, comedy influences and performing overseas. We also discuss our admiration for Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David, how their polar opposite styles meshed to create SEINFELD, misconceptions about comedians, the dynamic of working on MAD MEN, the brilliant finale, and how precious going to a movie theater used to be. Plus, stage fright, leaving your craft at the peak of your career, and life after standup.

Episode 315 - “Sugar” Watch-Along Episode 6 - The twist. Where do we go from here

Was the true identity of Colin Farrell’s lead character revealed? IOr another twist coming in APPLE TV+’s noir nail-biter, SUGAR? Episode 6 of Mase & Sue’s Watch Along Series brings Alex Hernandez into the fold to discuss his role as David Siegel’s henchman and keen perspective on the show. We talk about the artistic intercutting of the classic film NIGHT OF THE HUNTER, his path to being cast, what plot points he was privy to, the clues we’ve been fed, the tropes subverted, Los Angeles as a character, the cinematic handheld camera freedom, and how the mystery of how the Siegel’s play into the "alien" mission.  

Episode 314 - “Manhunt” star Matt Walsh, Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers” & Sue’s triathlon

Matt Walsh joins Mase & Sue to discuss MANHUNT, the APPLE TV+ historical fiction thriller about the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, the conspiracy to overturn the government, how clueless we were about the events, the eerie parallels to today, landing the villainous role of Dr. Samuel Mudd, the process of portraying a real-life character, his improv background coming into play, and how a big budget, noncommercial series got green-lit. We also discuss his time on and away from VEEP, top five funniest shows of all time, what draws him to a project, the strategy and pressure of fantasy sports, and the new Chicago Bears draft class. Plus, the result of Sue’s sprint triathlon, Mase’s poetic homage, and his praise of the new film, CHALLENGERS.