Families love George Miller's animated musical "Happy Feet," and of course his talking-pig epic "Babe: Pig In The City." But he's most celebrated for creating what many consider the greatest action movies ever made: the four "Mad Max" films. He chats with Rico about how he accidentally devised a new film genre, and divulges the wisdom he learned on the set of "The Witches of Eastwick."
After Lena told her tale of how a general business meeting turned into an amazing love story, we heard the sound of sixteen hundred people falling for the actor, writer and producer in the form of uproarious applause. Learn how "A Different World" sparked Waithe’s drive to become a TV writer and how she hopes to inspire little girls to know the world is bigger than their own backyard.
Jenny Slate had appeared on TV shows like "Parks and Rec" and "Kroll Show." In 2014, she starred in the Sundance hit "Obvious Child," for which she won a Critics Choice award. She also co-created and performs the voice of the beloved animated internet star "Marcel The Shell With Shoes On." The comedian tells us about being the child of "art farts," her undying crush on Michael Dukakis, and the crazy circumstances that led her to find her canine companion.
You know Jason Schwartzman from a million things, but you probably first saw him playing Max Fischer in the movie "Rushmore." That was the first of his many collaborations with director Wes Anderson, which include "The Darjeeling Limited" and "Moonrise Kingdom." He's also starred in films from "I Heart Huckabees" to "Saving Mr. Banks." He gives us some behind-the-scenes insight on his Golden Globe-winning series "Mozart in the Jungle" and reveals how a public radio legend gave him his big break in "Rushmore."
Bruce Vilanch has had a storied career as a joke writer for performers from Bette Midler to Robin Williams and has six Emmys to his name. He also spent four years as a regular on "The Hollywood Squares" and appeared on Broadway in the musical "Hairspray". Listen as the comedian tries his best to shed light on the insane choices made to create what one critic has dubbed, "The worst two hours of television ever."
Jamie Oliver started his career as a boyish chef who became an international star with a series of hit British cooking shows. He's got restaurants all over the world and has long led the campaign to make school lunches healthier. His new book, "Everyday Super Food," is full of quick, nutritious recipes. He looks back with Rico at the special that launched his career, then shares a few healthy, delicious holiday dishes... and one super unhealthy one.
"National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" came out in 1989 and it's now considered a holiday classic. The movie follows the Griswold family as their patriarch Clark (played by Chevy Chase) tries to host the perfect Christmas, but is foiled by in-laws, mean bosses, and wild animals. Beverly shares a behind-the-scenes tale about one of the movie's most iconic moments.
Daryl McDaniels -- aka "D.M.C." of rap legends Run-D.M.C. -- is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, a comic book author, and most germane for our holiday show, he co-wrote his band's holiday hit "Christmas in Hollis." He recalls how the song came about and how it almost never came to be.
Comedian John Mulaney cut his teeth as a writer for "Saturday Night Live," where he co-created iconic characters like Stefon, the club kid/nightlife reporter on "Weekend Update." After leaving "SNL," John briefly had an eponymous sitcom on Fox. And all the while he's done stand-up. He talks about his latest comedy special on Netflix, admits to being a pushover, a "beta," and shares his regrets over missed '90s joke opportunities.
The "Weeds" star has earned just about every TV honor there is. Now she’s written an innovative collection of letters to the men in her life, real and imagined. She talks to Brendan about the beginnings of the book… and why it's not a memoir.