Since 1989 (Sex, Lies, and Videotape), filmmaker Steven Soderbergh has been a pioneering voice in American cinema. Part free-wheeling iconoclast, part exacting technician.

Today, we return to our conversation with the legendary artist. First, Soderbergh describes his process making No Sudden Move amid the pandemic (9:35), his ability to push past creative blocks, the importance of 1997’s Out of Sight, the seismic impact of his late mentor, Mike Nichols (30:25), and how a formative moviegoing memory (29:28) informed his ideas on the role of storytelling (33:37). Before we go– Steven speaks candidly on the future of movies (40:09) and his role in them (42:46).

This episode originally aired June 27th, 2021. To hear our latest talk with Sean Fennessey, listen here. Thoughts or future guest ideas? Email us at sf@talkeasypod.com.

Since 1989 (Sex, Lies, and Videotape), filmmaker Steven Soderbergh has been a pioneering voice in American cinema. Part free-wheeling iconoclast, part exacting technician.
Today, we return to our conversation with the legendary artist. First, Soderbergh describes his process making No Sudden Move amid the pandemic (9:35), his ability to push past creative blocks, the importance of 1997’s Out of Sight, the seismic impact of his late mentor, Mike Nichols (30:25), and how a formative moviegoing memory (29:28) informed his ideas on the role of storytelling (33:37). Before we go– Steven speaks candidly on the future of movies (40:09) and his role in them (42:46).
This episode originally aired June 27th, 2021. To hear our latest talk with Sean Fennessey, listen <a href="https://talkeasypod.com/fennessey/">here</a>. Thoughts or future guest ideas? Email us at <a href="mailto:sf@talkeasypod.com">sf@talkeasypod.com</a>.

Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso is a weekly series of intimate conversations with artists, activists, and politicians. Where people sound like people. Hosted by Sam Fragoso. New episodes every Sunday.

Where people sound like people, since 2016.

Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso

Director Steven Soderbergh: Scene by Scene

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d8a52e5b-c7ba-4ba8-b03c-b1da007692e0/transcript

We’re so back at the movies… with head of content at The Ringer and co-host of The Big Picture, Sean Fennessey!

At the top, Sam and Sean discuss Sean Wang’s Dìdi(8:52), the father-daughter story at the heart of M. Night Shyamalan’s Trap(15:52), and why the documentaries Brats(19:39)and Faye(22:35) make the perfect weekend watch.

Then, they talk about the real-life story behind A24’s Sing Sing (27:45), what Borderlandsreveals about post-strike Hollywood (29:57), the anticipation building around Sean Baker’s triumphant upcoming feature Anora (32:13), Jason Reitman’s Saturday Night(33:17), Joshua Oppenheimer’s apocalyptic musical film The End(35:49), and James Mangold’s A Complete Unknown(37:17).

On the back-half, we dive into Sean’s childhood in Long Island (43:37), his early writing at Ithaca College (44:15), working at Complex Magazine in the mid-aughts (53:00), his pivot to Grantland (1:02:10), launching The Ringer (1:15:50), his on-mic personality on The Big Picture (1:11:50), the future of his podcast(s) (1:18:31), and why he remains optimistic about the film industry (1:27:09).

This conversation was recorded at Spotify Studios. Thoughts or future guest ideas? Email us at sf@talkeasypod.com.

We’re so back at the movies… with head of content at The Ringer and co-host of <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6mTel3azvnK8isLs4VujvF">The Big Picture</a>, Sean Fennessey!
At the top, Sam and Sean discuss Sean Wang’s <a href="https://www.focusfeatures.com/didi">Dìdi</a> (8:52), the father-daughter story at the heart of M. Night Shyamalan’s <a href="https://www.warnerbros.com/movies/trap">Trap</a> (15:52), and why the documentaries <a href="https://www.hulu.com/watch/3c92789a-4a02-418b-b896-28f9799be387">Brats</a> (19:39) and <a href="https://www.hbo.com/movies/faye">Faye</a> (22:35) make the perfect weekend watch.
Then, they talk about the real-life story behind A24’s <a href="https://a24films.com/films/sing-sing">Sing Sing</a> (27:45), what <a href="https://borderlands.movie/">Borderlands</a> reveals about post-strike Hollywood (29:57), the anticipation building around Sean Baker’s triumphant upcoming feature <a href="https://neonrated.com/films/anora">Anora</a> (32:13), Jason Reitman’s <a href="https://www.sonypictures.com/movies/saturdaynight">Saturday Night</a> (33:17), Joshua Oppenheimer’s apocalyptic musical film <a href="https://www.tiff.net/events/the-end">The End</a> (35:49), and James Mangold’s <a href="https://www.searchlightpictures.com/a-complete-unknown">A Complete Unknown</a> (37:17).
On the back-half, we dive into Sean’s childhood in Long Island (43:37), his early writing at Ithaca College (44:15), working at Complex Magazine in the mid-aughts (53:00), his pivot to Grantland (1:02:10), launching The Ringer (1:15:50), his on-mic personality on The Big Picture (1:11:50), the future of his podcast(s) (1:18:31), and why he remains optimistic about the film industry (1:27:09).
This conversation was recorded at Spotify Studios. Thoughts or future guest ideas? Email us at <a href="mailto:sf@talkeasypod.com">sf@talkeasypod.com</a>.

We Are So Back (at the Movies) with Sean Fennessey (‘The Big Picture’)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/08465872-fcbe-4e6d-8bd1-b1d70072dea9/transcript

What’s the difference between an interview and a first date? For the past decade, Amelia Dimoldenberg has been walking that fine line on her hit YouTube series, Chicken Shop Date. The premise is in the title: filmed at various chicken establishments across London, the show features a series of funny (sometimes awkward) ‘dates’ with everyone from Paul Mescal to Billie Eilish.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of her beloved series, Amelia and Sam have a cup of tea to discuss her recent sit-down with Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds (5:00), her upbringing in London (7:20), and how Mary-Kate and Ashley inspired the young creative ambitions (11:10) that lead to Chicken Shop Date (17:17). We also highlight a few pivotal episodes of the show with rapper Ghetts (24:50), actor Daniel Kaluuya (32:10), and documentarian Louis Theroux (32:52).

On the back-half, we unpack Dimoldenberg’s comedy influences—from Amy Poehler in Parks and Recreation to Zach Galifianakis’ Between Two Ferns (36:34), how she continues to expand her reach as an independent creator (43:00), why the ‘anti-interview’ genre has come into vogue (49:12), and what she hopes for in the decade to come (1:02:12).

For questions, comments, or to join our mailing list, drop us a line at sf@talkeasypod.com.

What’s the difference between an interview and a first date? For the past decade, Amelia Dimoldenberg has been walking that fine line on her hit YouTube series, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@AmeliaDimoldenberg">Chicken Shop Date</a>. The premise is in the title: filmed at various chicken establishments across London, the show features a series of funny (sometimes awkward) ‘dates’ with everyone from Paul Mescal to Billie Eilish.
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of her beloved series, Amelia and Sam have a cup of tea to discuss her recent sit-down with Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds (5:00), her upbringing in London (7:20), and how Mary-Kate and Ashley inspired the young creative ambitions (11:10) that lead to Chicken Shop Date (17:17). We also highlight a few pivotal episodes of the show with rapper Ghetts (24:50), actor Daniel Kaluuya (32:10), and documentarian Louis Theroux (32:52).
On the back-half, we unpack Dimoldenberg’s comedy influences—from Amy Poehler in Parks and Recreation to Zach Galifianakis’ Between Two Ferns (36:34), how she continues to expand her reach as an independent creator (43:00), why the ‘anti-interview’ genre has come into vogue (49:12), and what she hopes for in the decade to come (1:02:12).
For questions, comments, or to join our mailing list, drop us a line at <a href="mailto:sf@talkeasypod.com">sf@talkeasypod.com</a>.

A Tea with Amelia Dimoldenberg of Chicken Shop Date

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/0c28e5ec-e588-448e-84b0-b1d0006e33af/transcript

Vinson Cunningham has been a staff writer at The New Yorker for the past eight years, covering theater, television, and politics. He joins us this week to unpack his personal debut novel Great Expectations.

At the top, we discuss the state of the US election (5:00), the emergence of the new Democratic ticket in Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (10:00), and the fickleness of internet hype (15:00). Then, Cunningham explains how his new book dovetails with his time working on Barack Obama’s 2008 Presidential campaign (19:00), his process writing fiction (30:00), and his early memories of getting involved in politics (35:30).

On the back-half, we talk about Vinson’s upbringing in the church (38:00), the role of faith in his life (47:00), and his personal feelings about divine intervention (57:00), both in politics and on the heels of a tragic personal loss (1:01:40). To close, he shares a moving piece of his review of Hamlet (1:07:00), reflects on his growth over the past year (1:15:00), and reveals why this moment for Kamala Harris gives him hope for his daughters (1:22:00).

This conversation was recorded at Spotify Studios and Condé Nast. Thoughts or future guest ideas? Email us at sf@talkeasypod.com.

Vinson Cunningham has been a staff writer at The New Yorker for the past eight years, covering theater, television, and politics. He joins us this week to unpack his personal debut novel <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/690565/great-expectations-by-vinson-cunningham/">Great Expectations</a>.
At the top, we discuss the state of the US election (5:00), the emergence of the new Democratic ticket in Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (10:00), and the fickleness of internet hype (15:00). Then, Cunningham explains how his new book dovetails with his time working on Barack Obama’s 2008 Presidential campaign (19:00), his process writing fiction (30:00), and his early memories of getting involved in politics (35:30).
On the back-half, we talk about Vinson’s upbringing in the church (38:00), the role of faith in his life (47:00), and his personal feelings about divine intervention (57:00), both in politics and on the heels of a tragic personal loss (1:01:40). To close, he shares a moving piece of his review of Hamlet (1:07:00), reflects on his growth over the past year (1:15:00), and reveals why this moment for Kamala Harris gives him hope for his daughters (1:22:00).
This conversation was recorded at Spotify Studios and Condé Nast. Thoughts or future guest ideas? Email us at <a href="mailto:sf@talkeasypod.com">sf@talkeasypod.com</a>.

Author Vinson Cunningham on our ‘Great Expectations’ for 2024

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/406fb305-db42-4b25-8b0f-b1c9004a7b43/transcript

Director Steven Soderbergh: Scene by Scene

In 1 playlist(s)

Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips