Variety Awards Circuit
"Variety Awards Circuit" podcast, hosted by Clayton Davis, Jenelle Riley, Jazz Tangcay and Michael Schneider (who produces), is your one-stop listen for lively conversations about the best in film and television. Each week "Awards Circuit" features interviews with top film and TV talent and creatives; discussions and debates about awards races and industry headlines; and much, much more. Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere you download podcasts. New episodes post every Thursday.
126
Mike Mills (“C’mon C’mon”) and Awards Circuit R...
Director Mike Mills discusses “C’mon, C’mon,” starring Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffman and Woody Norman. But first, our Awards Circuit Roundtable helps kick off Oscar voting by making one more plea on what Academy members shouldn’t overlook.
67 min
127
Willem Dafoe ("Spider-Man: No Way Home" and "Ni...
Willem Dafoe discusses his first-ever "Saturday Night Live" hosting gig this weekend, plus his busy year, which included reteaming with directors Paul Schrader for “The Card Counter” and Wes Anderson for “The French Dispatch,” as well as supporting roles in “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” and Guillermo Del Toro’s “Nightmare Alley.” And then there’s his return to the role of Green Goblin in “Spider-Man No Way Home.”
31 min
128
Alana Haim (“Licorice Pizza”) and Awards Circui...
Haim artist Alana Haim discusses her first-ever feature role, “Licorice Pizza,” as well as her hugely popular band with her sister, their long history with director Paul Thomas Anderson, and much more. But first, our Awards Circuit Roundtable dives into the hot topics of the week, including how COVID has disrupted this Oscar season and the tattoo that Jazz Tangcay almost got as a teenager.
69 min
129
Cate Blanchett (“Don’t Look Up,” “Nightmare All...
Cate Blanchett discusses her duo of Oscar contenders, “Don’t Look Up” and “Nightmare Alley,” as well as her new venture with Pedro Almodóvar, for whom she will be starring in (and producing) “A Manual for Cleanining Women.”
34 min
130
Rachel Zegler (“West Side Story”) and Awards Ci...
Rachel Zegler discusses taking on the iconic role of Maria in Steven Spielberg’s new version of the landmark musical “West Side Story.” But first, our Awards Circuit Roundtable dissects the SAG Awards nominations and shares its pick for who should host the Oscars.
66 min
131
Lin-Manuel Miranda (“Tick, Tick Boom,” “Encanto”)
Lin-Manuel Miranda discusses writing the music for Disney’s “Encanto”; directing his first feature with “Tick, Tick Boom” and casting Andrew Garfield as Jonathan Larson; his first music memories and more.
31 min
132
Halle Berry (“Bruised”) and Ariana DeBose (“We...
Halle Berry talks about directing and starring in “Bruised,” as well as her desire to work with Zendaya, her advice for Zoë Kravitz’s Catwoman and more. Later, Ariana DeBose discusses her star-making turn in Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story.”
80 min
133
J.K. Simmons (“Being the Ricardos”) and Awards ...
J.K. Simmons discusses playing William Frawley, aka “I Love Lucy’s” Fred Mertz, in Amazon’s “Being the Ricardos.” And the Awards Circuit Roundtable catches up on what we watched over the break and share some Golden Globe winner and SAG Award nomination predictions.
67 min
134
Nicolas Cage (“Pig”) and Vicky Krieps/Mia Wasi...
Nicolas Cage speaks extensively about his career, from being born into a family of artists (his uncle is Francis Ford Coppola) and his unique acting choices over the years to his current film, “Pig.” Also in this episode, Vicky Krieps and Mia Wasikowska discuss their intertwined roles in Mia Hansen-Løve’s “Bergman Island.”
53 min
135
Penélope Cruz (“Parallel Mothers”) and Tessa T...
Penélope Cruz discusses her latest film with Pedro Almodóvar, “Parallel Mothers,” as well as her other varied roles and what she’s drawn to in film. Later, we chat with Tessa Thompson about her film “Passing,” and we also wind up dissecting the new “Sex and the City” spinoff.
58 min
136
Michael Keaton (“Dopesick”)
“Dopesick” star Michael Keaton discusses the Hulu limited series, and how it taught him a lot more than what he thought he knew about the origins of the opioid crisis — and the actions of the Sackler family, who promoted OxyContin with the lie that it was non-addictive. Keaton also talks a bit about what convinced him to wear the Batman suit once more.
32 min
137
Pablo Larraín (“Spencer”) and Awards Circuit Ro...
“Spencer” director Pablo Larraín discusses his new film, about a dramatic weekend in the life of Princess Diana, and how he might do one more reimagined biopic after this one, culminating in a trilogy that started with “Jackie.” But first, our Awards Circuit roundtable dissects the recent Critics’ Choice and Golden Globe nominations, and any surprises or snubs that we found.
54 min
138
Andrew Garfield ("Tick, Tick... Boom!")
"Tick, Tick... Boom!" star Andrew Garfield discusses his big year, which includes playing Jonathan Larson in the new musical film from director Lin-Manuel Miranda, as well as televangelist Jim Bakker in "The Eyes of Tammy Faye." Oh, and reprising that web slinger character he once portrayed.
35 min
139
Julia Ducournau (“Titane”) and Awards Circuit R...
French director Julia Ducournau, who burst onto the world filmmaking scene in 2016 with “Raw,” discusses her latest film, “Titane.” She discusses her journey to creating the new project and her struggle to connect with the main character. But first, the Awards Circuit roundtable discusses “West Side Story,” “Don’t Look Up” and the upcoming Critics Choice and Golden Globe nominations.
60 min
140
Adam McKay ("Don't Look Up")
Director/writer Adam McKay's script to the new film "Don't Look Up" was written pre-pandemic, but then things kept happening in the real world that were just like the script. We talk to McKay about his new Netflix film, and how it cuts perhaps a little too close to home. Plus, he details how Meryl Streep improvises and much more.
42 min
141
Sarah Snook (“Succession”) and Composer Nichola...
As Season 3 of “Succession” comes to a close, star Sarah Snook discusses the tumultuous year for Shiv, and what might come next for her character — and the show. Also: “Succession” composer Nicholas Britell on the HBO drama, as well as his work on the new film “Don’t Look Up.”
51 min
142
Ron and Russell Mael (“The Sparks Brothers” and...
Sparks musicians Ron and Russell Mael, the subject of Edgar Wright’s documentary “The Sparks Brothers,” talk about their busy year, which also includes writing the screenplay and creating the music and songs for the film “Annette,” starring Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard. Also, the Roundtable discusses Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” and the upcoming critics’ groups announcements.
47 min
143
Mahershala Ali (“Swan Song”)
Mahershala Ali discusses his new film “Swan Song,” in which he plays both himself and his clone, and what it was like to reunite with his “Moonlight” co-star. Naomie Harris. And yes, we try to sneak in a “Blade” question or two as well.
39 min
144
Corey Hawkins (“The Tragedy of Macbeth”) and Ti...
“The Tragedy of Macbeth” star Corey Hawkins discusses his experience working opposite Denzel Washington on Joel Coen’s take on the iconic Shakespearean play. He additionally chats about his tremendous year, including “In the Heights.” Also on this episode, we talk to “Old Henry” star Tim Blake Nelson. And the Awards Circuit Roundtable on “Licorice Pizza,” “Don’t Look Up,” and what we’re most thankful for this year.
83 min
145
Robin De Jesus (“Tick… Tick… Boom!”) and Awards...
“Tick… Tick… Boom!” star Robin de Jesus talks about his experience working opposite Andrew Garfield in the film, which chronicles playwright Jonathan Larson and how he created the landmark musical “Rent.” But first, our Awards Circuit Roundtable discusses “Spencer,” “Being the Ricardos” and the sheer number of screening events taking place around Los Angeles.
66 min
146
Kristen Stewart (“Spencer”)
Kristen Stewart discusses taking on the role of Princess Diana in the Neon feature “Spencer,” whether there’s a parallel to her own life, as well as the status of her adaptation of the memoir “The Chronology of Water” and much more.
34 min
147
Aunjanue Ellis (“King Richard”) and Awards Circ...
“King Richard” star Aunjanue Ellis discusses her experience working opposite Will Smith in the film chronicling the rise of tennis phenoms Venus and Serena Williams, and how she’s enjoying a bit of a career renaissance. Also, our Awards Circuit Podcast roundtable discusses our first impressions of Oscar contenders “House of Gucci” and “Licorice Pizza,” and much more.
54 min
148
Jonathan Majors (“The Harder They Fall”)
Jonathan Majors plays cowboy Nat Love in director and co-writer Jeymes Samuel’s debut feature film “The Harder They Fall.” Majors discusses his role in that epic western from Netflix, as well as his recent entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe via “Loki,” his recent Emmy-nominated turn in “Lovecraft Country” and much more.
34 min
149
Jamie Dornan (“Belfast”)
“Belfast” star Jamie Dornan talks about working with director Kenneth Branagh on his deeply personal film, which also happens to be Dornan’s first release since the passing of his own father. He also shares how his infectious turn in “Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar” gave him some insight into his dad, and gives hints to the screenplay he’s been writing — and when it could see the light of day.
36 min
150
Dakota Johnson (“The Lost Daughter”)
Dakota Johnson discusses her experience working on Netflix’s “The Lost Daughter,” the adaptation of the Elena Ferrante novel, as well as what an Oscar nom would mean for her, and what’s next. But first, our Awards Circuit roundtable discusses this weekend’s new releases, including “Spencer” and “Eternals.”
44 min