“Hamilton” star Reneé Elise Goldsberry on her Emmy-nominated role, her toughest scene, how ‘The Wiz’ made her fall in love with musicals, and working with Billy Porter on the new project ‘What If.’ Also, the Variety Awards Circuit podcast discusses the Emmy drama acting categories and Cynthia Littleton shares behind the scenes of her Stephen Colbert cover story.

Emmy-nominated “Ted Lasso” star Brett Goldstein talks about his breakout role on the hit Apple TV Plus series, which just landed 20 Emmy nominations (the most ever for a freshman comedy) and now returns for a second season. Also, the Variety Awards Circuit podcast discusses the Emmy comedy acting categories.

Emmy nominee Nicole Byer on her hosting gigs (“Nailed It,” “Wipeout”), her multi-generational appeal and returning to the standup stage after a break during the pandemic. Also: Michael Schneider, Danielle Turchiano, Jazz Tangcay and Clayton Davis break down the Emmy nomination surprises, snubs, shockers and more.

It’s a "New Girl" reunion! Creator and showrunner Elizabeth Meriwether and cast members Zooey Deschanel, Max Greenfield, Jake Johnson, Lamorne Morris and Hannah Simone gather to discuss favorite moments from the series, things the censors wouldn't let you see, True American rules, and yes, whether a reunion episode or movie will ever happen. Later, we speak with “Godfather of Harlem” star Forest Whitaker about the series and what got him excited again about acting. But first, on the Variety Awards Circuit roundtable, we wrap up Emmys 2021 phase one as nominations voting has ended.

“The Good Lord Bird” stars Ethan Hawke (also an executive producer) and Joshua Caleb Johnson about their Showtime limited series, showcasing the story of abolitionist John Brown and the unique relationship between their characters. Later on, we chat with Phil Rosenthal about his Netflix food travel series “Somebody Feed Phil” and how much it meant to viewers during the recent COVID-19 lockdown.

Jurnee Smollett, the star of HBO’s “Lovecraft Country” on immersing herself into the history of Jim Crow-era america, and how “Lovecraft Country” uses horror as a lens to depict the real-life horror of that time for Black Americans. Later on, we speak with “In & Of Itself” star Derek DelGaudio about turning his awe-inspiring and mysterious stage show into a TV special, directed by Frank Oz. But first, on the Variety Awards Circuit roundtable, we get into the Emmy comedy race.

“Girls5eva” stars Sara Bareilles, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Busy Philipps and Paula Pell about their new peacock comedy, including the show’s catchy tunes, its choreography, and how it was a challenge to shoot during the pandemic but a joy to watch. Later on, we chat with Chelsea Handler about her HBO Max standup special “Evolution.”

All-Marvel episode! “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” star Anthony Mackie discusses the Marvel universe and his journey to becoming the new Captain America. Also, “WandaVision” head writer Jac Schaeffer and star Paul Bettany talk about pulling off an homage to classic TV sitcoms in one of the most ambitious shows to come along in years. But first, on the Variety Awards Circuit roundtable, we discuss the surprisingly sparse Emmy drama race.

Billy Porter discusses the emotional finale to FX's “Pose,” and what the show has meant to him, its viewers and to the communities in which it provided a voice. We also chat with “Breeders” stars Martin Freeman and Daisy Haggard about how their show may be the most realistic portrayal of parenthood on TV ever. But first, on the Variety Awards Circuit roundtable, we discuss the increasingly unpredictable limited and anthology series race.

“Mythic Quest” star and executive producer Rob McElhenney discusses Season 2 of the Apple TV Plus comedy and some of the unique choices and experiments it makes with its storytelling. Later on, we chat with TV icon Katey Sagal about her recurring role on “The Conners,” as well as her recent but, alas, short-lived ABC drama “Rebel.”

“The Handmaid’s Tale’ star and executive producer Elisabeth Moss discusses some of the big developments on this season of Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale,” and what it was like to direct those pivotal episodes. Later on, we chat with “Allen v. Farrow” filmmakers Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering about the unexpected focus on that series. But first, on the Variety Awards Circuit roundtable, we discuss the rise of genre programming at the Emmys.

“The Late Late Show” host James Corden discusses the unusual year of hosting his show from his garage, and then in a studio with no audience — and the freedom that came with breaking traditional talk show rules. Also, “The Kominsky Method’s” Kathleen Turner on joining the show in Season 3 and reuniting with co-star Michael Douglas. And on the Awards Circuit Roundtable, we wrap up the traditional TV season.

“Bridgerton” star Phoebe Dynevor discusses the global phenomenon surrounding her Netflix show, and what to expect in Season 2. Also, HBO’s “How To With John Wilson” filmmaker and narrator John Wilson explains the quirks that make his series a critical hit. And the Awards Circuit Roundtable breaks down the greenlights, renewals and cancellations coming out of the network upfronts.

Cristin Milioti discusses how she prepared to play a woman who escapes a toxic marriage to a tech billionaire, who has implanted a futuristic monitoring device in her brain, in HBO Max’s “Made for Love.” Also, Catherine Zeta-Jones on appearing as a special guest star on Fox’s (now-canceled) “Prodigal Son.” And the Awards Circuit Roundtable dissects the HFPA/Golden Globes implosion.

John Boyega, star of the “Small Axe” installment “Red, White and Blue,” discusses what brought him to the Steve McQueen anthology series, and his own awakening in speaking out against systemic racism and police brutality. Also in this episode, comedian Ziwe Fumudoh on her new late night series “Ziwe,” and the Awards Circuit Roundtable kicks off its Emmy season chat.

Awards Circuit Podcast's Clayton Davis, Jenelle Riley, Jazz Tangcay and Michael Schneider give one last look at the highs, lows, surprises and more from the 93rd Oscars, including that controversial telecast, "Nomadland's" big wins and the shocking...

Oscar-nominated "Minari" stars Steven Yeun and Yuh-Jung Youn talk to Variety's Jazz Tangcay about their film and its realistic and authentic portrayal of a Korean American immigrant family. But first, on the Awards Circuit roundtable, we go through...

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" star Viola Davis discuss working on another August Wilson play following her Oscar-winning role in "Fences." She also talks race and representation issues that still plague Hollywood. Also, Oscar nominee Ramin Bahrani, who...

Oscar nominee Glenn Close ("Hillbilly Elegy") joins a bonus episode of Variety's Awards Circuit podcast and details her worst experience on an audition, as well as how the awards campaign trail has changed so much over the years. 

Oscar-nominated "Mank" star Amanda Seyfried talks about working with David Fincher, and how she’s pursuing a role in the film adaptation of "Wicked." Also "Another Round" director Thomas Vinterberg on his surprise Academy Award nomination for best...

"The United States vs. Billie Holiday" star Andra Day on the lengths she went to play the iconic singer. Also: "Judas and the Black Messiah" Oscar-nominated writers The Lucas Brothers on expanding beyond comedy. And the Awards Circuit roundtable gets...

Aaron Sorkin discusses "The Trial of Chicago 7," which just received six Oscar nominations, as well as why he chose to take on directing the film himself, working with his tremendous cast and being his own toughest critic. Additionally, we speak to...

Daveed Diggs discusses the lasting impact of "Hamilton," which is in the awards hunt this year for the filmed version of the musical. We also discuss Diggs' busy roster, which includes Showtime’s "The Good Lord Bird" and TNT's "Snowpiercer."...

Neon co-founder Tom Quinn discusses the Oscars and the overall landscape for the film distributor in 2021 in this bonus edition of the Awards Circuit Podcast.