Killer Mike and El-P are the hip-hop duo "Run The Jewels." They're adored by fans and critics alike for their menacing beats and dexterous wordplay. They've released two acclaimed albums... neither of which could've prepared us for the one they dropped this week. The two talk to Brendan about their fan-driven project, "Meow The Jewels," juxtaposing goofiness and seriousness, and why you shouldn't ask about the state of hip-hop.
Paul Scheer is probably best known for his role on the hit show "The League," and he also co-hosts the "How Did this Get Made?" podcast, which is dedicated to mocking terrible films. The comedian, who appeared at our Los Angeles Podfest event, reveals the moment he knew "The League" was going to be a blast, why he can't look away from "The Bachelor," and how an elaborate skateboarding scene is signal of a bad movie.
Emily Mortimer played the wealthy, cheated-upon wife in Woody Allen's "Match Point and appeared in the Martin Scorsese films "Shutter Island" and "Hugo." But her latest project is a TV series, the comedy "Doll & Em," which she created with her best friend, Dolly Wells. The actor puts friendships under the lens, examines the trend of actors giving meta-performances, and why dogs in Shakespeare's work might been a bit of pandering.
Salman Rushdie is widely considered one of the world's great writers. His blend of magic realism and historical fiction have garnered him the Booker Prize, a British knighthood and -- for his novel "The Satanic Verses" -- a notorious fatwa that sent him into exile. The author digs into his latest work, "Two Years Eight Months and Twenty-Eight Nights," discusses the awkward process of going "full literary frontal," and his unexpected Yankee pride.
Uzo Aduba was known mainly as a Broadway actress -- she starred in the revival of the musical "Godspell" a few years back. But these days she's known for her deeply sympathetic portrayal of Suzanne, a.k.a. "Crazy Eyes," on the Netflix series "Orange is the New Black." The actress digs deep into her character's love-based pursuits, reveals her most unconventional fan interaction, and asks to keep her pie.
Jason Segel gained fame on comedy shows like the beloved "Freaks and Geeks" and "How I Met Your Mother" and cut his teeth writing and starring in films like "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and "The Muppets" reboot. In his latest film, he stars as the late author David Foster Wallace in "The End of the Tour" and talks to Rico about tackling "Infinite Jest,"disillusionment in American materialism... and Snapchatting selfies.
The "Rectify" star, best known for her roles in distinguished cable dramas, tells Brendan about her "Floribama" roots, her big break from "Mad Men," and undergoing therapy in public.
U.S. Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera takes us from the spoken-word poems of his mother's kitchen to the inherent contradiction of being the nation's appointed poet. Plus, he'll share with you the nutrients that poems need to grow.
Devendra Banhart's alternately gentle and psychedelic pop music has garnered him a cult-like following. He's collaborated with the likes of Beck and Antony and the Johnsons. But meanwhile, he's pursued a parallel career as a fine artist. He talks to us about his new art book, and launches a new band with Rico.
Al Pacino has starred in such classic films as "The Godfather," "Dog Day Afternoon," "Serpico," and "Scent of a Woman." He's won an Oscar, two Emmys, two Tonys, and four Golden Globe awards. Now, as his new film "Manglehorn" hits theaters, the actor talks to Brendan about playing (shades of) himself, improvising for Sidney Lumet, and having fun with his remote control.