Awards Circuit | Variety

"Awards Circuit" is 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.

TV & Film
201
Oscars Producer Will Packer and Awards Circuit ...
Will Packer teases what he has in store as producer of this year’s Oscars ceremony, and addresses the controversial decision to pre-tape eight categories during the hour before the broadcast. Also on this episode, the Awards Circuit roundtable gives its final predictions for this year’s Academy Awards.
98 min
202
Denis Villeneuve (“Dune”) and Awards Circuit Ro...
Double Oscar nominee Denis Villeneuve discusses his passion for creating the world of "Dune" and that best director snub. He teases what to expect with "Dune Part Two," including working with Zendaya. Also on this episode, the Awards Circuit roundtable discusses the latest buzz on the final march to the Oscars.
57 min
203
Siân Heder (“CODA”)
“CODA” writer/director Siân Heder just won a BAFTA Award for her film, the latest in a string of kudos for the Apple Original release. Oscar nominated for adapted screenplay, Heder talks about the film’s critical raves as well as its impact and history-making awards on the road to the Academy Awards.
33 min
204
Jane Campion (“The Power of the Dog”)/Guillermo...
Directors Jane Campion of the Oscar-nominated “The Power of the Dog” and Guillermo del Toro of Oscar-nominated “Nightmare Alley” swap stories about filmmaking in the streaming age. But first, our Awards Circuit Roundtable discusses the rise of “CODA” and more as we head into another awards-filled weekend with the BAFTA, DGA and Critics’ Choice ceremonies.
56 min
205
Ciarán Hinds (“Belfast”)
Irish veteran actor Ciarán Hinds had never been nominated for an Oscar until this year, despite outstanding performances in films like “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” (2011). Hinds is here to discuss his role as Pop in “Belfast” and his own Oscar nomination, what he remembers from growing up during the time period featured in the film, and much more.
31 min
206
“Encanto” Composer Germaine Franco and Awards C...
Oscar nominated composer Germaine Franco discusses “Encanto,” working with Lin-Manuel Miranda and what has moved her the most about the soundtrack’s viral hit. But first, our Awards Circuit Roundtable meets in person for the first time and recaps the SAG Awards — including how it has or hasn’t brought clarity to the Oscar race.
58 min
207
Aunjanue Ellis (“King Richard”)
Oscar-nominated “King Richard” star Aunjunue Ellis discusses her role as Oracene “Brandy” Williams in the film, as well as her experience working with Will Smith, and what she has coming up next.
44 min
208
Kodi Smit-McPhee (“The Power of the Dog”) and A...
Kodi Smit-McPhee discusses his role as Peter Gordon in Jane Campion's "The Power of the Dog" and his reaction to be nominated for his first Academy Award. But first, our Awards Circuit Roundtable talks about the controversy surrounding the decision to pre-tape some Oscar awards and edit them into the ceremony. And we give our final SAG Awards picks.
69 min
209
Jessica Chastain (“The Eyes of Tammy Faye”)
Three-time Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain discusses how she wanted to portray televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker in “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” plus how Oscar campaigns have changed in the post-Harvey Weinstein era and what’s next on her busy acting plate.
35 min
210
Sandra Oh (“The Chair”/”Killing Eve”) and Award...
SAG Awards nominee Sandra Oh talks about her Netflix series “The Chair” and some of the sticky topics it brings up, and also previews the final season of “Killing Eve.” But first, on the Awards Circuit Roundtable, we break down the big Oscars host announcement.
63 min
211
Lin-Manuel Miranda (“Encanto”)
Lin-Manuel Miranda on his Oscar nomination for the “Encanto” song “Dos Oruguitas” (and why it’s not for “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”). Also, more on what he plans to do in 2022 after a busy 2021, and expectations for the upcoming live-action “The Little Mermaid” and the original songs he wrote for it.
33 min
212
Amy Sherman-Palladino/Daniel Palladino (“The Ma...
“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” exec producers Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino on what to expect as Midge and company finally return to our TV screens, and how they wanted to make sure Season 4 was worth the wait — even as COVID contingencies made it a challenge to produce. But first, the Awards Circuit roundtable dissects this year’s Oscars nominations.
66 min
213
Phil Lord and Chris Miller (“The Mitchells vs. ...
“The Mitchells vs. the Machines” producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller discuss returning to the Oscars with another nomination and how they continue to redefine the animation medium. Plus, they discuss “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” the sequel to their Academy Award-winning “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.”
52 min
214
Cole Hauser (“Yellowstone”) and Awards Circuit ...
“Yellowstone” star Cole Hauser discusses how his series has turned into a megahit, and now an awards contender, after four seasons. But first, our Awards Circuit Roundtable shares burning questions on what to look out for as the Oscar nominations finally take place.
53 min
215
Margaret Qualley ("Maid")
SAG Awards nominee Margaret Qualley discusses making the Netflix limited series "Maid," which features her in almost every scene, as well as her bond with her young co-star, and getting to work with her mother, Andie MacDowell, who also plays her mom in the series.
32 min
216
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
217
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
218
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
219
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
220
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
221
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
222
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
223
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
224
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
225
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