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Not just another bad movie podcast, Blank Check reviews directors' complete filmographies episode to episode. Specifically, the auteurs whose early successes afforded them the rare ‘blank check’ from Hollywood to produce passion projects. Each new miniseries, hosts Griffin Newman and David Sims delve into the works of film’s most outsized personalities in painstakingly hilarious detail. Produced by Ben Hosley.
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- 794 - Goodfellas
As far back as we can remember, we always wanted to podcast about GOODFELLAS.
No guest this week, folks - just the two friends, Producer Ben, and a Griffin Shinemaster Shinebox. From the iconic needledrops to the thinly sliced garlic (actually a bad way of incorporating garlic into a sauce!), from the famous Copacabana oner to the two dogs looking in opposite directions - we have a LOT to discuss this episode. And, we would like to formally apologize to Lorraine Bracco for not covering a good performance of hers until right now. Karen Hill forever.
Listen to Griffin on Podcast: The Ride discuss the new Fast & Furious Coaster
Watch James Grey discuss his bachelor party
Listen to David discuss Resident Evil (2026) on Critical Darlings
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VOTE for Check Book as Best Podcast Newsletter in the Signal Awards!
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For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com
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Sun, 18 Oct 2026 - 2h 34min - 793 - The Last Temptation of Christ with Jamelle Bouie
The controversy. The incredible Peter Gabriel score. The Last Temptation of Christ. This week, Jamelle Bouie returns to Blank Check to talk about Scorsese's long-gestating passion project, and David gets to geek out about the history of Christianity. None of us are particularly religious - yet we all find this movie profoundly moving. God bless Marty, man.
Get your tickets to the LIVESTREAM of Blank Check's sold out Bell House show on Fri, Oct 16 at 7:30pm ET! Watch our Scorsese-spectacular live with your fellow Blankies or on VOD (for a limited time).
Sign up for Check Book, the Blank Check newsletter featuring even more “real nerdy shit” to feed your pop culture obsession. Dossier excerpts, film biz AND burger reports, and even more exclusive content you won’t want to miss out on.
VOTE for Check Book as Best Podcast Newsletter in the Signal Awards!
Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes.
Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter, Instagram, Threads and Facebook!
Connect with other Blankies on our Reddit or Discord
For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sun, 11 Oct 2026 - 2h 22min - 792 - The Color of Money with Chris Ryan
Famously, 1986's The Color of Moneywas a money gig for Scorsese after a bunch of big-budget bounces. But it sure as hell doesn't feel like one!
Chris Ryan joins us to talk about the original legacyquel, which passed the torch from Newman to Cruise. We're also chatting snooker, Atlantic City, and Warren Zevon this week, so grab your balabushka and chalk. It's in the way that you use it.
Get your tickets to the LIVESTREAM of Blank Check's sold out Bell House show on Fri, Oct 16 at 7:30pm ET! Watch our Scorsese-spectacular live with your fellow Blankies or on VOD (for a limited time).
Get your hands on Minnesota Fats: Pool Legend.
Check out Amsterdam Billiards.
Watch Sandler do Werewolves of London.
Listen to David discuss the novelization of Species and Species 2 on the Authorized podcast.
Listen to The Physical Media High Council episode.
Listen to The Watch, The Big Picture and The Rewatchables
Sign up for Check Book, the Blank Check newsletter featuring even more “real nerdy shit” to feed your pop culture obsession. Dossier excerpts, film biz AND burger reports, and even more exclusive content you won’t want to miss out on.
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For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com
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Sun, 04 Oct 2026 - 3h 15min - 791 - After Hours with Alison Sivitz
1985's After Hours - It's the ultimate "one crazy night in New York City" movie. It's also the ultimate Griffin movie (both Dunne and Newman). But is it the ultimate cool person choice for the best Scorsese movie? Let's discuss.
The lovely Ali Sivitz (also known as Bald Ann Dowd) joins us to talk about this deliriously entertaining slice of prime SoHo history. Apologies to everyone who hates when we talk too much about New York. It's kind of difficult to avoid it with this one.
Get your tickets to the LIVESTREAM of Blank Check's sold out Bell House show on Fri, Oct 16 at 7:30pm ET! Watch our Scorsese-spectacular live with your fellow Blankies or on VOD (for a limited time).
Read When Real Ann Dowd Met Bald Ann Dowd
Check out Joe Frank’s Monologue “Lies”
Read Public Radio’s Bad Dream By Susan Emerling
Read Dwayne Johnson: A Little Golden Book Biography
Check out Tickly Octopus Written and Illustrated by Ruth Galloway
Read Pauline and Rogers’s thoughts on the film
Sign up for Check Book, the Blank Check newsletter featuring even more “real nerdy shit” to feed your pop culture obsession. Dossier excerpts, film biz AND burger reports, and even more exclusive content you won’t want to miss out on.
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For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com
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Sun, 27 Sep 2026 - 2h 26min - 790 - The King of Comedy with Stavros Halkias
This week we're covering Scorsese's The King of Comedy and we've got the real King of Comedy on to talk about how Rupert Pupkin should have done some open mic nights.
The great Stavros Halkias returns to talk Marty, Bobby, Jerry Lewis, Sandra Bernhard, the Klumps, and his billion-dollar pitch for a new action franchise character named Fuccio Pussighetti. Plus - we all apologize to Jason Mantzoukas.
Blank Check's Merch Store is back! The first round of pre-orders on new items ends September 20.
Watch Jerry Lewis at the 30th Anniversary Screening of King of Comedy.
Watch Don Rickles Tribute, from De Niro & Scorsese.
Listen to our perfect ep on Is This Thing On?
Sign up for Check Book, the Blank Check newsletter featuring even more “real nerdy shit” to feed your pop culture obsession. Dossier excerpts, film biz AND burger reports, and even more exclusive content you won’t want to miss out on.
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For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com
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Sun, 20 Sep 2026 - 3h 01min - 789 - Raging Bull with David Krumholtz
Did you pod my cast? DID YOU POD MY CAST?
Martin Scorsese's Raging Bull is often cited as one of the greatest films of all time - one of the greatest boxing films, one of the greatest biopics, one of the greatest screen transformations and lead performances of all time. It's also one of the greatest uses of repetitive dialogue.
The great David Krumholtz joins us to talk about Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, the luminous Cathy Moriarty, and the tonal tightrope this film walks.
Again - DID YOU POD MY CAST??
Check out Krumholtz's De Niro story
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For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com
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Sun, 13 Sep 2026 - 2h 15min - 788 - New York, New Yorkwith Lin-Manuel Miranda
Start spreadin' the news, we're podding today...
Broadway icon (and newly minted Disney Legend!) Lin-Manuel Miranda joins us to talk about what is possibly Scorsese's biggest bounce - 1977's New York, New York.
Cocaine, unchecked ambition, and a misguided attempt to try and get Liza Minnelli to do improv led Marty to some dark places. But hey - at least Robert De Niro learned how to play the saxophone! Expect lots of Broadway talk on this episode - with, of course, much props to the "Homie John Kander."
Check out the Disney Legends alongside Lin
Read Gmorning, Gnight!: Little Pep Talks for Me & You
Watch The Songwriters: An Evening with The Homie John Kander & Fred Ebb
Theme from Blank Check, Blank Check Produced and mixed by “Synth Horn Savant" Kyle Joseph
Sign up for Check Book, the Blank Check newsletter featuring even more “real nerdy shit” to feed your pop culture obsession. Dossier excerpts, film biz AND burger reports, and even more exclusive content you won’t want to miss out on.
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For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com
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Sun, 06 Sep 2026 - 1h 59min - 787 - Taxi Driver with Tracy Letts
You poddin' to me? Well, listener, actually - we are podding to you. For nearly FOUR HOURS.
The great Tracy Letts joins us to talk about Scorsese's monumental Taxi Driver, a film that is both fully ingrained in the American psyche and completely surprising and effective on every rewatch. Of course we're gonna spend our longest episode ever talking about it! This week, we discuss Paul Schrader's "God's Lonely Man" fixation, Ben's uncle's experiences as a New York City cab driver, the 1976 Oscars, Taxi Driver's themes of male loneliness and white supremacy, the incredible performances of Robert De Niro and Jodie Foster, and how totally normal it is to go to a porno theater on your second date. Oh, and there's plenty of physical media talk.
Taxi Driver discussion begins at 46:52
Listen to the 1976 Draft ep of the Big Picture
Check out MVD Marquee / Radiant / Vinegar Syndrom
Buy The Haunting to listen to Tracy and Sean do a commentary
Watch Bette Davis and Robert Wise, Oscars 1987
Read Transcendental Style in Film
Read You'll Never Eat Lunch in This Town Again
Read Drama: An Actor's Education
Read Night-Shifting for the Hip Fleet “By Mark Jacobson
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For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com
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Sun, 30 Aug 2026 - 3h 49min - 786 - Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore with Katey Rich
"Martin Scorsese doesn't make movies about women" - WRONG. "Martin Scorsese doesn't make movies that would work as a long-running workplace sitcom" - ALSO WRONG.
Katey Rich joins us to chat about Scorsese's unexpected follow-up to Mean Streets, 1974's Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore. We're talking diners, Ellen Burstyn, parenting strategies, "women's pictures," and far more Hootie & The Blowfish than you'd expect from this episode. We're also not "trying silence," okay?
Buy the Hootie and the Blowfish shirt Katey (and David) have.
Listen to the Screen Draft eps with Griffin and Katey.
Subscribe to Prestige Junkie at the Ankler and Fighting in the War Room.
Sign up for Check Book, the Blank Check newsletter featuring even more “real nerdy shit” to feed your pop culture obsession. Dossier excerpts, film biz AND burger reports, and even more exclusive content you won’t want to miss out on.
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Connect with other Blankies on our Reddit or Discord
For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com
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Sun, 23 Aug 2026 - 2h 28min - 785 - Mean Streets with Miriam Bale
We're heading to Little Italy's San Gennaro festival this week with Griffy Parm, David Bags, and the great Miriam Bale as we chat about 1973's Mean Streets - a major breakthrough for both Martin Scorsese and Robert DeNiro. Join us as we chat about the seismic impact this film had on American cinema, DeNiro's screen persona, those iconic needledrops, and the ways racism and misogyny permeate the film's atmosphere. Also - did you know this movie was mostly filmed in Los Angeles!?!
Follow @judis.annie on Instagram
Read the Next Scorsese series in Esquire
Listen to SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE
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For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com
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Sun, 16 Aug 2026 - 2h 31min - 784 - Who's That Knocking at My Door / Boxcar Bertha
Knock knock! Who's there? MARTY, THAT'S WHO! Welcome to the first installment in PODCASTFELLAS - our supersized series on the films of short king and Italian-American asthmatic Martin Scorsese. This guy made some pretty good movies, huh.
This week, Griffin, David, and Ben discuss Scorsese's Little Italy upbringing and his two first features - 1967's Who's That Knocking at My Door? and 1972's Boxcar Bertha. One feels like a film school parody of Scorsese movie. The other, a not-scuzzy-enough exploitation picture. Neither really feel like his true debut.
Check out Mostly True: The West's Most Popular Hobo Graffiti Magazine by Bill Daniel Author
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For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com
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Sun, 09 Aug 2026 - 2h 23min - 783 - A Conversation with Andrew Stanton
Surprise! In a first for Blank Check, we’re dropping a bonus main-feed episode featuring a conversation with the Academy Award-winning director of the films we just covered. The great Andrew Stanton joins us for a delightful conversation about Pixar, what happened to scatting, and how Elmo messed everything up for everyone. He answers many questions from Griffin (the Pixar nerd formerly known as FlikLover98), and goes in depth on the ending of WALL-E. Enjoy!
Sign up for Check Book, the Blank Check newsletter featuring even more “real nerdy shit” to feed your pop culture obsession. Dossier excerpts, film biz AND burger reports, and even more exclusive content you won’t want to miss out on.
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Connect with other Blankies on our Reddit or Discord
For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com
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Thu, 06 Aug 2026 - 1h 30min - 782 - Toy Story 5
Woody, Buzz, and Jessie are back - and they're making us freak out about social media! Join Griffin, David, Ben, and Marie as they discuss Andrew Stanton's latest film - this summer's blockbuster hit Toy Story 5.David gets to talk about being a parent. Marie and Ben get to talk about wanting to be parents. And Griffin gets to talk about his special interest - the Toy Story franchise.
Special thanks to Nick “Tiger” Wiger (Doughboys, How Did This Get Played?) and Aiko Tanaka (@aikocomedy) for help with the Japanese translations.
Read Sucker: My year as a degenerate gambler By McKay Coppins
Watch Please take Toy Story 4 away from me by Jenny Nicholson
Read: Toy StoryConfronts a Nightmare of Modern Parenting By David Sims
Sign up for Check Book, the Blank Check newsletter featuring even more “real nerdy shit” to feed your pop culture obsession. Dossier excerpts, film biz AND burger reports, and even more exclusive content you won’t want to miss out on.
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Connect with other Blankies on our Reddit or Discord
For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com
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Sun, 02 Aug 2026 - 2h 29min - 781 - In the Blink of an Eye with Joey Sims
Did you know that Andrew Stanton released TWO movies this year?Toy Story 5, of course, but also the centuries-spanning sci-fi yarn In the Blink of an Eye?! This episode is dedicated to the latter - kind of. Theater critic and brother of the show Joey Sims joins us to chat about a BUNCH of things, not limited to In The Blink of an Eye; Off-Broadway plays, caveman movies, Power Rangers, and the status of the Lost in Space IP. It's a tangent-heavy listen, folks.
Listen to Joey’s Pod: House Closed: Theater We Saw
Check out the Hayden Planetarium at the New York Museum of Natural History
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For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com
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Sun, 26 Jul 2026 - 1h 59min - 780 - The Odyssey
Sing in us, O Muse, and let us tell the story of four cunning podcasters, wanderers who gained entry into three different large format screenings of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey across three cities and two continents.
This week, we defied the gods to record an episode with missing King of Ithaca himself, Griffin Newman, as he continues his own mythical journey of trying to survive this European heat wave. Join us for a sensible two-and-a-half-hours gushing about this incredible cinematic event, breaking down our favorite set pieces and performances, and discussing previous attempts to bring The Odyssey to the screen. That Christopher Nolan really can't seem to bounce a check these days, can he?
Read Richard Nilsen’s review of the 1997 Odyssey miniseries.
Check out the Picture House in the UK if you are there.
Read Bilge’s article about the making of the Odyssey.
Sign up for Check Book, the Blank Check newsletter featuring even more “real nerdy shit” to feed your pop culture obsession. Dossier excerpts, film biz AND burger reports, and even more exclusive content you won’t want to miss out on.
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For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com
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Sun, 19 Jul 2026 - 2h 31min - 779 - Finding Dory with Zach Cherry
Have you seen Dory? We have!
Zach Cherry joins us to talk about 2016's Finding Dory, a film that made a kajillion dollars and set off a run of four Pixar sequels in a row. In this episode, we're talking about Ellen DeGeneres, animating characters without mouths, the success of Modern Family, live action remakes of already live action films, and Zach's proposed future spinoffs for the Nemo franchise. Young Marlin, Old Marlin, Old Nemo - the possibilities are endless!
Watch the trailer for The End of Oak Street.
Watch 72 Hours when it comes out
Check out the last Raaaatscraps show on August 8th
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For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com
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Sun, 12 Jul 2026 - 2h 40min - 778 - John Carter with Matt Singer
We are going to Barsoom with 2012's John Carter - a film that bounced almost as much as the titular hero bounced around on Mars! Matt Singer joins us to talk about this legendary flop - the cursed marketing campaign, the year of Taylor Kitsch, and Disney's acquisition of Marvel and Star Wars, which effectively made John Carter irrelevant almost immediately. Plus, we spend a lot of time talking about X-Men Origins: Wolverine, for some reason.
Read Second-Act Twist By Tad Friend
and
The Untold Story of Disney’s $307 Million Bomb ‘John Carter’: ‘It’s a Disaster’ by Drew Taylor
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Sun, 05 Jul 2026 - 3h 10min - 777 - WALL-E with David Ehrlich
Put on your pod-day clothes, there's lots of world out there! We're joined by David Ehrlich to discuss WALL-E this week - a film many consider to be Stanton's (and Pixar's) crowning achievement, and a film David Ehrlich's son has watched upwards of a million times. Join us for a long-ranging conversation that includes context around Disney's 2006 acquisition of Pixar, discussion about the film's depiction of humans, and speculation about the mental health of robots.
Check out Erlich’s Review of Lee Cornin’s The Mummy
Listen to Griffin on Podcast Like It’s Talking About Monsters Inc.
Read Ehrlich’s Interview with Stanton
Read Ehrlich’s piece on Alamo Drafthouse
Listen to Ben discuss his good friend Johnny5 on The Flop House
Cool Dad Raising Daughter On Media That Will Put Her Entirely Out Of Touch With Her Generation
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Sun, 28 Jun 2026 - 3h 22min - 776 - Finding Nemo with Rebecca Alter
Welcome to PODD-C, our series on the films of Pixar stalwart Andrew Stanton! This week, we're kicking off with 2003's Finding Nemo, a film that ushered in nearly two decades of Ellen DeGeneres supremacy and made millions of children remember the exact address of one "P. Sherman." Writer Rebecca Alter joins us to chat about Nemo's immaculate screenplay, the Finding Nemo attractions within Disney Parks, and the under-the-sea craze that had Nemo, Spongebob, and Shark Tale all hitting at the same time. Pixar obsessives - rejoice! Griffin really gets to nerd out here.
Sign up for Check Book, the Blank Check newsletter featuring even more “real nerdy shit” to feed your pop culture obsession. Dossier excerpts, film biz AND burger reports, and even more exclusive content you won’t want to miss out on.
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For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com
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Sun, 21 Jun 2026 - 3h 18min - 775 - Disclosure Day
This is "Spielberg Face: The Movie." This is radical empathy. This is Emily Blunt Supremacy. This is DISCLOSURE DAY.
Griffin, David, Ben, and Marie break down Steven Spielberg's latest offering, his first sci-fi film and his first contemporary-set film since War of the Worlds in 2005. It's bound to be divisive. We mostly love it. We've got trains, Fableman dynamics, car chases, Janusz Kaminski pools of light, expressions of awe and wonderment - all of Steve's greatest hits! Join us for a wide ranging discussion about aliens, cynicism, and Michael Caine riding a giant bee (completely unrelated to this film).
Listen to Regina Hall on Good Hang with Amy Poehler.
Check out who is getting this year’s Honorary Oscars.Watch the Close Encounters SNL Sketches.
Sign up for Check Book, the Blank Check newsletter featuring even more “real nerdy shit” to feed your pop culture obsession. Dossier excerpts, film biz AND burger reports, and even more exclusive content you won’t want to miss out on.
Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes.
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Connect with other Blankies on our Reddit or Discord
For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sun, 14 Jun 2026 - 2h 19min - 774 - The Way Back with Alex Ross Perry
We're talking about a very long walk this week as Alex Ross Perry joins us to discuss Peter Weir's final film, 2010's gulag escape drama The Way Back. Remember those couple of years when Jim Sturgess was everywhere? Remember when Peter Weir could barely get distribution for his follow-up to Master & Commander? Dire times. As is the case with most ARP episodes, expect some wild takes about everything from the Coen brothers to World War II movies, plus a very detailed rundown of the National Geographic Films slate.
Check out Videoheaven on the Criterion Channel
Buy some Pavements Merch / Blu-Ray
Listen to Critical Darlings discuss Train Dreams
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For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com
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Sun, 07 Jun 2026 - 3h 04min - 773 - Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World with John Hodgman
Beat to quarters, men..and nice Brazilian lady holding an umbrella! We're sailing the high seas with John Hodgman this week as we unpack one of David Sims' favorite films - 2003's Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. We're talking Crowe. We're talking Bettany. We're talking James Cameron's Mexican water tank. We're talking soused hog and we're talking Saluting Day. And yes, we are talking BOATS. Is Ben about to enter his Salty Dog Era? He should!
If you wish to inquire about Ship Happens, shiphappensbrooklin@gmail.com.
Check out the rest of Patrick O’Brian’s work.
Pop over to the Sunken Harbour Club if you’re in NY.
Watch Medieval Barber Theodoric of York - SNL
Read Hodgman’s Books in any format
Subscribe to Hodgman’s Substack
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Sun, 31 May 2026 - 3h 09min - 772 - The Mandalorian and Grogu with Chris Gethard
The Mandalorian and Grogu is the first new Star Wars movie in 7 years. It was also directed by Jon Favreau while he was making grilled cheese sandwiches. What the heck is going on with our favorite franchise? "Bad Boy of Blank Check" Chris Gethard returns to the pod to discuss The State of Star Wars: the deal with Dave Filoni, the Male Loneliness Epidemic, how watching Andor felt like texting your ex, and the complete and utter catastrophe of Rotta the Hutt. It's a cathartic three hours, so grab your Grogu Nilla Nummies and buckle up.
Watch TCGS #28 | Ruin This Show
Watch Chris Gethard: Career Suicide
Read The Bracing Authenticity of Chris Gethard's Career Suicide
Check out Dave Filoni’s “Plan”
Read Star Wars: Thrawn Series by Timothy Zahn
Read The Rise of the Fools by Allison P. Davis
Read the Kathleen Kennedy Exit Interview
Watch The George Lucas Talk Show LIVE From Smodcastle with Kevin Smith and Chris Gethard (2024)
Watch the 2020 Disney Investor Day Presentation
Sign up for Check Book, the Blank Check newsletter featuring even more “real nerdy shit” to feed your pop culture obsession. Dossier excerpts, film biz AND burger reports, and even more exclusive content you won’t want to miss out on.
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For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com
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Sun, 24 May 2026 - 3h 10min - 771 - The Truman Show with J.D. Amato
Good morning! And in case we don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night! JD Amato - often the Christof of Blank Check - joins us for a super-sized episode about Peter Weir's The Truman Show. We're getting into the history of reality entertainment, the implications of Christof's methods, the insanity of this movie's Oscar snubs, Jim Carrey's historic 1990s, and Matt Gaetz's childhood. Did you know that Matt Gaetz grew up in the Truman Show house? Really makes you think. Anyway - we hope you join us for a spirited conversation, but not before you pour yourself a mug of Mococoa Cocoa.
Read David's article with Ed Harris - A New Way of Looking at To Kill a Mockingbird
Buy J.D.'s Book The Endless Game
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Sun, 17 May 2026 - 3h 34min - 770 - Fearless with Timothy Simons
Peter Weir's Fearless is about a man who survives a plane crash and finds that he is no longer allergic to strawberries. It's also a deeply affecting, soulful exploration on what it means to be alive. And, as David Sims says - it's the "final boss" of plane crash movies. "Hitmaker" Timothy Simons joins us to chat about Jeff Bridges, Rosie Perez, "pink cloud syndrome," and aerophobia in this episode, so fasten your seatbelts and brace for impact!
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Sun, 10 May 2026 - 2h 54min - 769 - Green Card with Esther Zuckerman
Most filmmakers dream of making ambitious, big-budget epics once they're able to cash in their "blank check." Peter Weir wanted to make Green Card. Writer and romcom expert Esther Zuckerman joins us to talk about this 1990 oddity, released the same year as Pretty Woman, but centered around the star persona of Gérard Depardieu instead of Julia Roberts. We're talking about the romcom genre, the many attempts to bring international stars to Hollywood, the golden age of Andie MacDowell movies, and the undeniable smokeshow that was early 90s Bebe Neuwirth in this episode. Pardon our French. Literally.
Get Esther's Book Falling In Love at the Movies
Read FILM VIEW; 'Green Card' Apes 'Pretty Woman'
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Sun, 03 May 2026 - 2h 42min - 768 - Dead Poets Society with Nia DaCosta
Boys and girls, please open your textbooks. Rip out the pages. Carpe Diem.
We're seizing the day and talking about 1989's Dead Poets Society with filmmaker Nia DaCosta in this episode, but don't get too wild and change your name to Nuwanda or anything! This week, we discuss House MD, prep schools, the fact that David Sims played Puck in a high school production, and Robin Williams' Oscar legacy. O Podcast, my podcast!
Read about Franny's weirder cut
Check out Jack Black's YouTube
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Sun, 26 Apr 2026 - 2h 31min - 767 - The Mosquito Coast with Sean Fennessey
We all have those moments where we just want to disengage from conventional society. We often yearn to go "off the grid." But, would we ever want to go to the Mosquito Coast? HELL NO. Sean Fennessey joins us to chat about Peter Weir's 1986 film that tests the limits of Harrison Ford's likability to the extent that Ben Hosley would describe it as "anti-smile." Allie Fox is a bad hang. The Mosquito Coast? GOOD MOVIE.
Listen to Griffin and David on the Big Picture
Watch Harrison Ford on Conan spoil Star Wars 7
Read Roger Ebert’s review of Paul Blart Mall Cop
Read Rembert Explains America: Burning Man Forever
Listen to The A24 Podcast: A Bigger Canvas with Martin Scorsese & Joanna Hogg
Dive into the Hogg-verse with Davis piece on Joanna Hogg
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Sun, 19 Apr 2026 - 3h 02min - 766 - Witness with Amanda Dobbins
Strap in, DobMob...we're going to Amish Country! The Big Picture's Amanda Dobbins joins us to talk about Peter Weir's Witness, perhaps the zenith of Harrison Ford's hotness, and the film that garnered him his sole Oscar nomination. We're talking Rumspringa, birds and birdhouses (Amanda is not a fan), Philadelphia's 30th Street Station, and young Viggo (which naturally lends itself to LOTR discussion). Listen up, or else you'll be shunned from the Blankie community!
Listen to Griffin and Ben on The Daily Zeitgeist
Check out the Kyle Chandler Men's Health Cover mentioned
Watch Tracy Letts talk shit about Star Wars
Listen to The Big Picture
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Sun, 12 Apr 2026 - 2h 53min - 765 - The Year of Living Dangerously with Tracy Letts
Tracy Letts - Pulitzer and Tony winner, but most importantly The King of Physical Media - makes his much-anticipated Blank Check debut on an episode about a film that has no legitimate BluRay release. The irony! This week, we're discussing Peter Weir's The Year of Living Dangerously,a romantic drama set against the backdrop of Indonesian political unrest. We're discussing the star-power of Mel Gibson, the improbable performance of Linda Hunt, and, because this is Blank Check - the trench run at the end of Star Wars. Plus, we present the King of Physical Media with some meticulously chosen discs.
Log your physical media using CLZ
Check out Night Owl Video if your are in the Brooklyn area.
Listen to The 1988 Movie Draft, The 1982 Movie Draftand The Legal Draft Episodes of The Big Picture
Listen to Mike Duncan's Revolutions
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Sun, 05 Apr 2026 - 3h 17min - 764 - Gallipoli with Jennifer Kent
This week, we are honored to welcome Australian filmmaker Jennifer Kent to the podcast as we discuss Peter Weir's devastating classic Gallipoli. In addition to bringing much needed context on the history of Australian cinema, this episode also delves into the significance of the Gallipoli Campaign in the Aussie national consciousness, the undersung career of actor Mark Lee, and the genius of Peter Weir's approach to telling this story. Plus, we get to ask Jennifer about her role in Babe: Pig in the City AND we ask her to tell her buddy Justin Kurzel how much Ben loves his Assassin's Creedmovie.
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Sun, 29 Mar 2026 - 2h 02min - 763 - The Last Wave with BenDavid Grabinski
Peter Weir's follow up to Picnic at Hanging Rock - 1978's The Last Wave - deals with similar themes, with colonialism butting against the wild mysticism of Australia's land and people. However, this time...it's WET AS HELL. BenDavid Grabinski - the filmmaker behind the upcoming Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice - joins us to talk about this beguiling film, apocalyptic thinking, Richard Chamberlain's status as the king of TV miniseries, and Tom Shadyac's Dragonfly, weirdly enough.
Watch BenDavid's new movie Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice
If you're in New York, be sure to go to Sunken Harbor Club or Nitehawk Trivia
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Sun, 22 Mar 2026 - 2h 32min - 762 - Picnic at Hanging Rock with Jane Schoenbrun
On St. Valentine's Day in 1900, a group of podcasters set out to record an episode about Peter Weir's Picnic At Hanging Rock.Some were never to return...because they got addicted to the calming sounds of pan flute! Filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun joins us to chat about this 1975 classic of Australian cinema, and we're getting into the eerie qualities that make this film such an enduring mystery. From Rachel Roberts' wig drama to frame rate manipulation...from the Aboriginal concept of "dream time" to the casting of actual private school girls...there's much to unpack. But don't worry, we also spend a lot of time discussing The Grabber from The Black Phone 2.
Check out Jane's Dream Film Syllabus
Watch the Virgin Suicides Zoom Reunion
Read Australian Gothic: Peter Weir’s ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’ at 50 by Tim Pelan
Pre-Order Jane's Book Public Access Afterworld
Pan flute accompaniment composed and performed by Alex Mitchell
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Sun, 15 Mar 2026 - 2h 29min - 761 - The Cars That Ate Paris
Bonjour! Erm...we mean...G'day mates! Our Peter Weir series PODNIC AT HANGING CAST kicks off with Weir's 1974 feature debut The Cars That Ate Paris, a film about the guy who plays Napoleon in the Bill & Ted movies getting stranded in a quirky and murderous Australian town. We're getting into the origins of the Australian New Wave, the various "calling card" projects that Weir made in the beginning of his career, and this film's spiky car which Ben has a lot of affection for, obviously.
Check out the Steve Martin Cold Open - Saturday Night Live
Listen to Griff on Comedy Bang!Bang!
Check out Dirty Laundry on Dropout
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Sun, 08 Mar 2026 - 1h 51min - 760 - The Eleventh Annual Blank Check Awards with Joe Reid
Live from our windowless studio in Downtown Brooklyn, it's the 11th Annual Blankies! Joe Reid joins us once again to give out golden Wattos to our favorite films, performances, and craftspeople of the year. Some of our picks are certainly part of the greater award season conversation. Others are Materialists. Join us as we honor the best Putters and Murmurs, the Wettest flicks of the year, and as Griffin debuts his latest Billy Crystal opening showtune.
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Sun, 01 Mar 2026 - 2h 59min - 759 - Die My Love with Alison Willmore
Our Lynne Ramsay series comes to a close with last year's Die My Love, which brings us to the realization - damn, have we really never talked about Jennifer Lawrence before? Join us and Vulture's Alison Willmore as we do a full career deep-dive on J.Law, and grapple with this film and Mubi's decision to purchase it out of Cannes for a buttload of money.
Read the NY Mag profile of Darren Aronofsky from 2017
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Sun, 22 Feb 2026 - 2h 55min - 758 - You Were Never Really Here with Sean Clements
In 2018, Lynne Ramsay released You Were Never Really Here, a film about a completely implausible scenario...a townhouse on the East side of Manhattan houses a sex trafficking operation that implicates high-level government officials in its web of depravity???? Could you even imagine?!! Hollywood Handbook's Sean Clements joins us to chat about this eerily relevant film, the literary career of Jonathan Ames, Joaquin Phoenix's screen persona, and Joseph Gordon Levitt's recently announced follow-up to Don Jon.
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Sun, 15 Feb 2026 - 2h 39min - 757 - We Need To Talk About Kevin with Jia Tolentino
The time has come for us to talk about Kevin. The New Yorker's Jia Tolentino joins us to talk about Lynne Ramsay's depiction of every parent's worst nightmare - 2011's We Need To Talk About Kevin. We need to talk about how Griffin grew up with Ezra Miller, and even auditioned against them to play Kevin. We need to talk about Lionel Shriver's awful politics. We need to talk about Tilda Swinton comparing her performance here to Buster Keaton. And we need to again explain the whole Fantastic Beasts franchise to another guest who is blissfully unaware of Credence Barebone.
Read Jia's Profile of Jennifer Lawrenceand her other work at the New Yorker.
Check out the r/HowIsLivingThere
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Sun, 08 Feb 2026 - 2h 45min - 756 - Send Help
Almost four years ago, Producer Ben Hosley watched Sam Raimi's "A Simple Plan" and proclaimed that if he'd been in that scenario, everything would have worked out perfectly. With the gleefully satisfying "Send Help," Raimi gives Ben the ending he's always wanted. Join Ben, Griffin, David, and Marie as they chat about the endless likability of Rachel McAdams, the heel turn of Dylan O'Brien, and how the various employees of Blank Check Productions would fare on a deserted island.
Read "Dylan O’Brien Is Ready to Talk About That Accident"
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Sun, 01 Feb 2026 - 2h 22min - 755 - Morvern Callar with Emily Yoshida
Mommy's back! Emily Yoshida joins the gang to talk about 2002's Morvern Callar, a surprisingly tender film about grief, starting over, and taking a Jet2 Holiday. We're chatting about Samantha Morton's unconventional star quality, our personal history with mixtapes, and the Fantastic Beasts franchise for some reason. Plus, Ben reveals his love of seaside snow, Griffin adds some context from the source material (or whatever he could translate from the Scottish dialect), and everyone agrees that Morvern did nothing wrong.
Check out the official Shogun podcast
Listen to the Emily’s Traitors Podcast: First To Breakfast
Watch the Romano Tours SNL Sketch
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Sun, 25 Jan 2026 - 2h 33min - 754 - Ratcatcher
We need to pod about Glasgow. We need to pod about the arresting inner lives of these complicated protagonists. We need to pod about every incredible project Lynne Ramsay has been attached to over the past 25 years that never actually happened. So yeah, WE NEED TO POD ABOUT CASTVIN! Join us as we discuss Ramsay’s debut film Ratcatcher, a striking study of a young boy on the precipice of adolescence in the slums of 1970s Glasgow. Ben discovers that he adores this movie. Griffin discovers that he can make “Lin Manuel Ramsey” a bit. And everyone discovers that Scottish accents are not that easy to imitate.
Watch the Characters Welcome Sketch from Tristan Griffin
Check out Meshes of the Afternoon
Check out Notes on the Cinematograph
Watch Barry Jenkins in the Criterion Closet
Listen to the Top 21 Sports movies of the 21st century episode of the Bill Simmons Podcast
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For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.comHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sun, 18 Jan 2026 - 2h 01min - 753 - No Other Choice
Join Pulp Men (and Woman) of the Year Griffin, David, Ben, and Marie as they discuss Park Chan Wook’s latest offering, the silly and sublime No Other Choice. We’re talking about paper, AI-proof jobs, the handsomeness of Lee Byung-hun, the possibility that Director Park is the Michael Jordan of dissolves, and the fact that this is likely Griffin’s favorite film of 2025. Plus, David breaks down over the finale of Stranger Things, and we all apologize for a bunch of stuff.
Read the Chevy Chase New York Times profile.
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For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.comHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sun, 11 Jan 2026 - 2h 36min - 752 - Is This Thing On?
Testing, testing…does anybody know? Is this thing on? It depends on who you ask, frankly. The Blank Check team are divided on Bradley Cooper’s latest offering, the divorce dramedy Is This Thing On? Can you just walk in off the street to do an open mic at the Comedy Cellar? No. Is Peyton Manning one of our finest athlete actors? Yes. Is Griffin’s opinion of this film possibly strained by his anxiety over the New York City mayoral election? Probably. Join us for an episode that we hope is funnier than Will Arnett’s sad sack stand-up, but also probably not as brilliant as Bradley Cooper’s performance as a guy named “Balls.”
Watch the Vic Mensa ft. Wyclef Jean performance on Colbert
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For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.comHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sun, 04 Jan 2026 - 2h 24min - 751 - Avatar: Fire and Ash
We went back to Pandora and we all fell in love with a very special lady. She’s a bit prickly. A bit unconventional. But boy, is she something! Join us as we chat Avatar: Fire and Ash, aka VARANG: THE AWAKENING, the third installment in Big Jim’s Sully family saga. Yes, this movie’s a bit messier than the previous ones. Yes, it repeats many of the same beats as The Way of Water. No, we do not care. We are too distracted by our new Na’vi queen.
Listen to Big Jim drop Big Lore on The Town with Matt Belloni (Part 1 - Part 2)If you're in the area check out Nitehawk Trivia
Watch the Anaconda Trailer to have 3 Bad Minutes
Sign up for Check Book, the Blank Check newsletter featuring even more “real nerdy shit” to feed your pop culture obsession. Dossier excerpts, film biz AND burger reports, and even more exclusive content you won’t want to miss out on.Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes.
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Sun, 21 Dec 2025 - 2h 40min - 750 - Ella McCay with Richard Lawson
It’s pretty hard being the governor of an unnamed state when you’re a 34-year-old woman with a husband who’s the heir to a local pizza empire and you’ve got a brother who has agoraphobia and your sleazy dad keeps leaving you weird voicemails and Julie Kavner is narrating your entire life story! Wooo, that was a lot. James L. Brooks’ Ella McCay is A LOT. Richard Lawson joins us to chat about this very strange movie that feels like a real outlier at contemporary multiplexes. If anything, Ella McCay is a refreshing throwback. Kind of. Minus a few glaring, mind-boggling missteps. Anyway, join us for a fun conversation about this latest Brooksian offering, and stick around for a very exciting announcement about the expansion of Blank Check Productions!
Subscribe to Richard’s newsletter Premier Party
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Sun, 14 Dec 2025 - 2h 01min - 749 - Honey Don't with Mattie Lubchansky
Honey Don’t? Honey probably shouldn’t have. But that’s okay, because Honey, we’re gonna talk about it anyway! Writer and illustrator Mattie Lubchansky joins us to close out our Coens series with Ethan and Tricia’s latest offering from earlier this year. How do we feel about Margaret Qualley and Aubrey Plaza as performers? How do we feel about Chris Evans’ “year of trying stuff”? How do we feel about the threatened third film in this Lesbian B-Movie trilogy, “Go Beavers!”? Well, honey, you’ll just have to listen to find out.
Plus - stay tuned after this episode to hear our introduction to The Hudsucker Proxy from our screening at Friend of the Fest at the American Cinematheque!
Check out Mattie's Wife Jaya's writing
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Sun, 07 Dec 2025 - 2h 32min - 748 - Drive Away Dolls with mxmtoon
Two gals and a briefcase full of dicks. What more could an 84 minute caper need? mxmtoon joins us to chat about Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke’s lesbian road trip movie Drive Away Dolls, and brings with her the fascinating perspective of someone whose first Coen movie was…Drive Away Dolls! We’re chatting about Ethan and Tricia’s unconventional relationship, the legacy of Cynthia PlasterCaster, and the unlikely leading man trajectory of Pedro Pascal. Plus, we’re mourning the dearth of lesbian bars and Geraldine Viswanathan vehicles in our current cultural climate.
Check out mxmtoon’s YouTube Channel
Read Ethan’s Collection of short stories
Support The Lipstick Lounge if you are in NashvilleOr Sugar and Spice Bar, The Cattyshack, The Cubby Hole, Gingers
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Sun, 30 Nov 2025 - 2h 26min - 747 - The Tragedy of Macbeth with Dana Schwartz
You can’t say “Macbeth” in a theater, but you can certainly say it on a podcast! Dana Schwartz joins us (in her third Blank Check appearance on a witch-centered film) to talk about Joel Coen’s The Tragedy of Macbeth, the first solo-directorial effort from a Coen Brother after their amicable split. We’re debating the success of Frances McDormand and Denzel Washington’s performances, learning about the history of Scottish kings, and discovering Ben Hosley’s family crest in the first Blank Check episode devoted to a work of Shakespeare. Trust us, this isn’t homework. It’s fun!
Watch Jefferson Mays’ A Christmas Carol
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Sun, 23 Nov 2025 - 2h 40min - 746 - The Ballad of Buster Scruggs with Paul Scheer & Jason Mantzoukas
Six segments. Four legendary movie podcasters. Three and a half hours of keeping David Sims away from his family. Welcome to our Ballad of Buster Scruggs episode! How Did This Get Made’s Paul Scheer and Jason Mantzoukas join the Two Friends to talk about the Coens’ final film together (as of this recording), a grab bag of western vignettes that could have been titled “A Million Ways to Die in the West” if Seth MacFarlane hadn’t already claimed it. We’re picking our favorite segments, chatting about the “wild west” of Netflix projects back when Scruggs was greenlit, and ranking the Coens’ filmography before we cover their solo directorial efforts. Oh, and Jason has a few bones to pick with Griffin and David about a certain section of the True Grit episode.
Listen to How Did This Get Made - Grizzly II: Revenge w/ Jake Johnson
Listen to the Coens on Fresh Air
Check out the Darwyn Cook Parker novels graphic novel adaptation
Listen to Telly Savalas’ Album
Listen to Tim Blake Nelson on WTF
Read Joshua Pease piece on Buster Scruggs
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Sun, 16 Nov 2025 - 3h 26min - 745 - Hail, Caesar! with Shirley Li
Would that it twere so simple to lasso that lazy ol’ moon! This week, we’re chatting about all the studio shenanigans in Hail, Caesar! with our pal Shirley Li. Speaking of Shirley, we all knew she was skilled at getting David “The Dog” Sims off the leash, but did you know that she also attended researcher JJ’s wedding?! Lore drop! Join us as we unpack the careers of Channing Tatum and Alden Ehrenreich, gush over the gorgeous near-Technicolor cinematography, and celebrate the love of da moviesh that comes through so clearly in this film.
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Sun, 09 Nov 2025 - 2h 32min - 744 - Inside Llewyn Davis with Rachel Zegler
🎵🎶Puh-pa-please Mr. Kennedy (uhoh!) please won’t you listen to our puh-podcast🎶🎵This week we broadcast, not from a balcony, but from the Blank Check office, with guest Rachel Zegler (she connects with people, JJ’s research confirms)! Coming off of back to back Blank Checks the Coen’s took their time to release Inside Llewyn Davis, a somber comedy following a folk singer stuck in a failure loop. We’ve got two dogs off the leash, two fart detectives, the Coen’s attempting the Armageddon method of casting Llewyn, and the cold reality of pursuing the arts.
Read Jack Antonoff’s slander in print
Watch Carey Mulligan in 2015’s Far From the Madding Crowd
Listen to the penultimate episode of WTF
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Sun, 02 Nov 2025 - 2h 37min - 743 - A House of Dynamite
Kathryn Bigelow is back. But are WE so back? Not quite. The gang discusses the recent release A House of Dynamite, a film in which the president listens to podcasts, Tracy Letts loves the Mets, and the city of Chicago may or may not be completely leveled by an atomic bomb. Do we kind of miss Mark Boal now? Are we praying Kathryn Bigelow directs something a little more in line with Strange Days or Point Break next? Would Ethan Hunt have saved this movie? Yes, yes, and yes.
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Sun, 26 Oct 2025 - 2h 28min - 742 - True Grit with Stavros Halkias
We love to pull the cork. Comedian (and probably the biggest Greek-American entertainer of our time) Stavros Halkias joins us to chat about 2010’s True Grit, the Coens’ true attempt to cash their post-Oscar blank check. We’re talking about Hailee Steinfeld’s incredible performance. We’re talking about Jeff Bridges’ distinctive mumbly delivery. We’re talking about how this film is a considerable upgrade over the John Wayne original in possibly every way. We’re also talking about how everyone probably smells awful in this movie. And we’re talking a lot about the Morris Chestnut network TV show “Watson” for some reason. Join us by the campfire, it’s a fun time!
Read David’s Interview with Yorgos
Check out the profile of the owner of Panathinaikos B.C.
Check out Charles Portis’ other books
Watch Booboo Kills Yogi" ending
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Sun, 19 Oct 2025 - 2h 54min - 741 - A Serious Man with Marc Maron
The time has come for us to lock the gates. On the occasion of the end of WTF, Marc Maron joins us to talk about chaos, God, mathematics, and Jewish identity as we dive into 2009’s A Serious Man. Highlights of this episode include Marc asking, “Is this a bit?” when David opens the dossier, Marc’s discussion of his audition to play Larry Gopnik, and Marc telling Griffin that he’s proud of him. Not a dry eye in the house, folks. This is a special one.
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Sun, 12 Oct 2025 - 1h 48min - 740 - Burn After Reading with Fran Hoepfner
What did we learn, Palmer? That 2008’s Burn After Reading is pretty freakin’ hilarious, sir. Our Fran (Hoepfner, not McDormand) joins us this week to talk about Joel and Ethan Coen’s madcap dark comedy about a bunch of morons living in the DC area. The way John Malkovich says “mem-waah”...George Clooney’s homemade dildo chair…Brad Pitt’s stupid face right before getting murked…it all adds up to a splendid tapestry of silliness. Listen, laugh, and maybe you can fit in a run afterwards.
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Sun, 05 Oct 2025 - 2h 07min - 739 - No Country for Old Men with Leslye Headland
The Two Friendos, plus “Masterpiece” Leslye Headland and “I would have had no problems handling that bag of money” Ben Hosley take on one of the most acclaimed films of the 21st century in this week’s episode. It’s No Country For Old Men week on Blank Check! We’re chatting about Anton Chigurh’s strange physicality, Tommy Lee Jones’ tired resignation, and Josh Brolin’s career breakthrough in this episode, all while lavishing praise on the Coens’ practically perfect film. Now tell us - what’s the most that you’ve ever lost on a coin toss?
Check out the SNL Jumanji Sketch
Check out the Brooklyn Kolache Company
Check out Every Frame a Painting
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Sun, 28 Sep 2025 - 2h 52min - 738 - The Ladykillers with Connor Ratliff
We must have waffles forthwith! We must also have Connor Ratliff on the pod to talk about Tom Hanks for the first time since the completion of his Dead Eyes series! Join us for a spirited discussion about 2004’s The Ladykillers, a film that is universally regarded as the Coens’ worst, and is also the film that ended Hanks’ legendary decade-long boffo box office streak. We’re getting into defining the parameters of the world of “Weird Hanks.” We’re getting into the…uh…uncomfortable racial depictions that mar this movie. We’re getting to the “Root of the Matter,” and we’re getting Connor to softlaunch an incredible new term - “Mooseporting.”
Listen to the Audiobook for The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece
Watch the second David S. Pumpkins
Listen to Connor talk to Bobby Moynihan about David S. Pumpkins
Read the David S. Pumpkins Oral History
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Sun, 21 Sep 2025 - 2h 43min - 737 - Intolerable Cruelty with Katey Rich
We’ve been exposed. You’ve nailed our asses. Of course we’re going to defend this movie! 2004’s Intolerable Cruelty features George Clooney and Catherine Zeta-Jones at the height of their powers, yet failed to connect with contemporary audiences. Guest Katey Rich joins us as we attempt to understand why. Too mean? Too talky? A lack of period trappings? Maybe they were just blinded by George Clooney’s incredible teeth. We’re talking Clooney’s directorial efforts (bad), Richard Jenkins’ 2008 (immaculate), and the name “Rex Rexroth” (difficult to pronounce) in this week’s episode, so sign your Massey pre-nup and join us!
Read David’s Interview with George Clooney
Check out the Prestige Junkie After Party
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Sun, 14 Sep 2025 - 2h 11min - 736 - The Man Who Wasn't There with Jordan Hoffman
This one’s a real enigma - is The Man Who Wasn’t There a film about the alienation of a man who is deeply closeted and searching for connection in a tightly wound post-war world? Is it about a wife guy who doesn’t know how to express his feelings? Is it somehow about how Beethoven was not only deaf but suffered from horrific diarrhea at the end of his life? No? Well, that’s Jordan Hoffman’s theory! Join us for a very silly episode where we go long on Billy Bob, coin a new term for a Shalhoub appearance, and decide that all Austin-based podcasters are just Salacious B. Crumb.
Read Jordan’s Article about the collapse of “The Messenger”
Subscribe to Jordan’s SubStack
Watch the ITYSL Sketch with the great Biff Wiff
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Sun, 07 Sep 2025 - 2h 31min - 735 - O Brother, Where Art Thou? with Emily St. James
Those Soggy Bottom Boys really know how to carry a tune! Emily St. James joins us to talk about O Brother, Where Art Thou?, a wonderful film whose reputation was ultimately eclipsed by its octuple-Platinum soundtrack of “old timey” bops. When we’re on track, we’re talking peak Clooney, digital color correction, T. Bone Burnett, and the history of Southern politics. When we’re off track in this episode? Expect some discussion around Linkin Park’s Hybrid Theory and the Emmy-winning run of The Practice.
“Blank Check Theme (Sirens version)” Performed by:
Amy Irving
Olivia Ellen Lloyd
Maggie Feldman
Recorded and Produced by Gabe Barreto
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Sun, 31 Aug 2025 - 2h 13min - 734 - The Big Lebowski with Seth Rogen
It’s the episode you’ve all been waiting for - Seth Rogen joins us to talk about the Coens’ 1998 stoner classic The Big Lebowski. It should come as no surprise that Lebowski has loomed large over Seth’s work as a writer and director, and we’re going in depth on the influence and lasting impact of The Dude. Make yourself a White Russian (but maybe take a Lactaid first), turn off The Eagles, and settle in for a hilarious three hours of film analysis and Hollywood anecdotes. Oh, and if you were wondering - in this episode, someone is made to answer for his crimes against Sammy Fabelman. Finally.
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Sun, 24 Aug 2025 - 2h 45min - 733 - Fargo with Zach Cregger
Did we get the director of Weapons, another “true story,” on our Fargo episode? You betcha. Zach Cregger joins the Blank Check crew to discuss the Coens’ 1996 masterpiece and we’re going SCENE BY SCENE dissecting this perfect movie. “Minnesota nice,” “Dark Marge,” the Mike Yanagita scene, the origins of Jerry’s overwhelming debt, the inner life of Gaear Grimsrud, and the operatic score are just a few of the topics discussed. Did you know that Ben Hosley’s first car was an Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera? YOOU BETCHA.
Note: This episode was recorded before we saw Weapons, so no spoilers here.
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Sun, 17 Aug 2025 - 2h 48min - 732 - The Hudsucker Proxy with Mike Mitchell & Nick Wiger
(Gestures at a circle) You know, for kids! Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger of the Doughboys join us for a freewheeling, gut-busting episode about the time Joel Silver gave the Coens a bunch of money to make a “commercial film” and then it ended up being 1994’s The Hudsucker Proxy. A sampling of topics discussed: Paul Newman being hot up until the day he died (and possibly after), whether or not this movie has a Sturges protagonist in a Capra film or vice versa, whether or not the previous question even matters, the fact that Griffin has never seen The Wire yet has watched every episode of Greg the Bunny, the amount of baby wipes David has to buy in a month, the extent to which the style of humor in Hudsucker overlaps with that of The Simpsons, and a whole bunch of Yaddle talk for some reason.
Read Caity Weaver’s Mozzarella Sticks piece from 2014
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Sun, 10 Aug 2025 - 3h 37min - 731 - Barton Fink with Chris Weitz
Is John Goodman the devil? Is the studio system good, actually? Is it better to be the director of a bomb than it is to be the director of a film that doesn’t exist? Filmmaker (and part of a DGA-sanctioned directing duo) Chris Weitz joins us to talk about Barton Fink, possibly the greatest film ever made about the “art vs. commerce” divide inherent to the movie business. It’s not easy to make a picture, folks.
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Sun, 03 Aug 2025 - 3h 23min - 730 - Miller's Crossing with Ari Aster
It’s a movie about hats, and a movie about giving folks the high hat. It’s also a movie about how Jon Polito is the greatest actor in the world. It’s Miller’s Crossing! Filmmaker Ari Aster (go see Eddington!) joins Griffin and David to discuss the Coen Brothers’ knotty homage to the gangster genre, a film overloaded with memorable characters and witty lines of dialogue. We’re doing a deep-dive on Gabriel Byrne, litigating Marcia Gay Harden’s surprise Oscar win for Pollock, and once again examining the Coens’ body of work through the lens of Jewish identity.
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Sun, 27 Jul 2025 - 2h 05min - 729 - Raising Arizona with John Hodgman
Jesus Cock, that’s a hot new episode! John Hodgman returns to Blank Check to chat about Raising Arizona, the Coen’s swerve of a follow-up to Blood Simple that trades in the hallmarks of noir for the hallmarks of Looney Tunes. We’re talking about Nic Cage’s sad eyes, Holly Hunter’s year of iconic crying performances, rest stop public pomade, and people we are glad are dead. It’s a fun time. And yes, there’s yodelling.
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Sun, 20 Jul 2025 - 2h 38min - 728 - Blood Simple with Ray Tintori & Jordan Fish
Gather round, folks - it’s time to embark upon a journey through one of the most sterling filmographies in American cinema. Our Coen Brothers series - Pod Country for Old Cast - kicks off with Joel and Ethan’s remarkably assured 1984 debut Blood Simple. Coen experts and hosts of the To The White Sea podcast Ray Tintori and Jordan Fish join us to do some serious tablesetting for the odyssey ahead, offering some context that JJ didn’t even manage to dig up. Speaking of digging - Ben Hosley has some thoughts on the subject.
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Sun, 13 Jul 2025 - 2h 40min - 727 - Vamps with Caroline Framke
Our Amy Heckerling series comes to an end with 2012’s Vamps, a film produced too late to have an appropriate budget, and too early to be a streaming series. However - we find it charming! Caroline Framke returns to the podcast after 6 years (an eternity for us, but probably a blink for a vampire), and we talk about the pitfalls and pleasures of eternal youth, the B in Apartment 23, and how if Heckerling never makes another film, this one would serve as an appropriate career coda.
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Sun, 06 Jul 2025 - 2h 42min - 726 - I Could Never Be Your Woman with Karen Chee
Michelle Pfeiffer stars as Amy Heckerling and Paul Rudd stars as ????? in a totally normal movie that might actually be a voodoo curse made against Amy’s enemies. Oh, also Saorise Ronan makes her FILM DEBUT. What a picture! The incomparable Karen Chee joins us to talk about 2007’s I Could Never Be Your Woman, a movie that was financed by a French scoundrel, released directly to Blockbuster, and features some of the most dated cultural references we’ve ever come across. Is the film good? No. Is it fascinating? We sure think so!
Watch A Man on the Inside on Netflix
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Sun, 29 Jun 2025 - 2h 17min - 725 - 28 Years Later
Blank Check is going back to the British Isles with Danny Boyle, Alex Garland, and one extraordinarily well-endowed zombie this week as they discuss 28 Years Later. This movie has so much to love in it – wet bones, third-act Ralph Fiennes, Jodie Comer doing a thing, the Angel of the North, Teletubbies, the aforementioned well-endowed zombies, mind-bending digital photography, and did we mention THE WET BONES??? Be prepared for David to get REAL British, for Marie to cry on mic, for Griffin to bring up the manosphere, and for Ben to learn about Operation Yewtree. Gosh, we love this movie so much.
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Sun, 22 Jun 2025 - 2h 48min - 724 - Loser with Chandler Levack
The song. The hat. The…casual date rape?!!? In what should have been Amy Heckerling’s “blank check” after the success of Clueless, 2000’s Loser is a real LOSER. Filmmaker Chandler Levack joins us to chat about this technically-not-a-remake-of-The-Apartment “comedy” that gets college surprisingly wrong. Come for the Wheatus talk, stay for the in-depth power ranking of every American Pie cast member’s post-Pie career.
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Sun, 15 Jun 2025 - 2h 29min - 723 - Clueless with Heidi Gardner
Okay, so you’re probably going, “Is this like a Noxzema commercial or what?” But seriously, this is actually a way normal podcast about one of David Sims’ favorite movies! SNL’s Heidi Gardner (a total betty) joins us to talk about Amy Heckerling’s beloved Jane Austen adaptation, and we’re rolling with the homies. Join us for Alicia Silverstone and Paul Rudd career discussion, a lot of local Kansas City lore, and Ben’s takes on Cher’s iconic fits.
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Sun, 08 Jun 2025 - 2h 33min - 722 - Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
Griffin, David, Ben, and Marie accepted the mission. They live and pod in the shadows, for those they hold close, and for those they never meet. They also have a few notes for Tom Cruise and Chris McQuarrie with regards to Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning. Join the crew as they break down all the problems of this latest (and final???) installment of the beloved franchise. Join them as they rave over some of the most incredible sequences ever to grace the silver screen - ALSO in this movie. It’s a mixed bag, folks. But speaking of bags - we still love popcorn. And movies.
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Sun, 01 Jun 2025 - 2h 53min - 721 - Look Who's Talking Too with Max Minghella
The Ubriacco family are back and - can you believe it? - they’re still talking! Actor and filmmaker Max Minghella joins us to talk about Look Who’s Talking Too, the contractually-obligated, quickly produced sequel to Amy Heckerling’s surprise hit. We’re talking about Mr. Toilet Man (he eats your pee pee and poo poo), Elias Koteas’ Mr. Scary Uncle Man (he has a gun), and Mr. English Man (David Sims, who grew up in London). Plus, Ben continues to flesh out his “Look Who Hath Talked” prequel, and Griffin becomes the first person with the courage to ask, “Who was the first baby?”
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Sun, 25 May 2025 - 2h 28min - 720 - Look Who's Talking with Hillary Busis
In perhaps the spermiest film we’ve ever covered, John Travolta and Kirstie Alley hang out with a baby voiced by Bruce Willis and Amy Heckerling gets revenge on Harold Ramis. As David Sims says early in this episode - Look Who’s Talking is a VERY RICH text. Vanity Fair’s Hillary Busis joins us to talk about this 1989 “forgotbuster,” a film that made a bozo amount of money and dared to ask the question, “What if baby talked??” We’re going deep on Travolta lore, grappling with Kirstie Alley’s later career, and following numerous tangents on everything from the rules of the Rugrats universe to advancements in crib safety. Look who’s podcasting!
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Sun, 18 May 2025 - 2h 18min - 719 - National Lampoon's European Vacation with Jon Gabrus
Congratulations! You’ve won an all-expenses-paid vacation with Griffin, David, Ben, and Jon Gabrus to Europe! Only downside is…well, you have to watch this movie. From the strange cultural stereotypes to the unfortunate lack of jokes, Amy Heckerling’s sequel to National Lampoon’s Vacation isn’t the smoothest trip. But, it certainly gives us an excuse to talk about one of the most beloved franchises of the 1980s! Join us for Stonehenge stories, a deep dive into Beverly D’Angelo’s incredible biography, travel talk, and a whole lot of Chevy chat.
Listen to Action Boyz and Staying Alive
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Sun, 11 May 2025 - 2h 39min - 718 - Johnny Dangerously with Josh Gondelman
He’s the nicest bad guy in town. His last name is an adverb. And he’s got some pretty wacky bits! Sweetie pie comedian Josh Gondelman joins us to talk about 1984’s Johnny Dangerously, Amy Heckerling’s loving homage to 1930’s gangster pictures. Things we attempt to understand in this episode: the cultural legacy of Joe Piscopo; the actual joke that’s being told in the “Your Testicles and You” animated reel / is there one?; Marilu Henner’s insane memory thing; if the Danny DeVito bull scene is a parody of anything; why does Richie Rich have cent signs in his name if he’s so rich?; and most crucially - why is this movie so damned hard to see in 2025?!?! Real fans know that Blank Check started off as an investigative podcast. Maybe it’s time to bring that element back!
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If you haven't been able to find the movie maybe watch the Internet Archive version.
Buy Mattie Lubchansky's Book Simplicity
Listen to Griffin on The Michael Keaton Movie Mount Rushmore episode of The Big Picture
Watch the end of Disaster Movie
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Sun, 04 May 2025 - 2h 22min - 717 - Fast Times at Ridgemont High with Lola Kirke
We’re grabbing our Vans slip ons and heading to the mall as we kick off our Amy Heckerling series - Pod Times at Ridgemont Cast - with Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Fresh off her appearance in Sinners, actual high school friend of Griffin Newman Lola Kirke returns to the pod and things get pretty bogus. Like, David Lynch was supposed to direct this movie!!! David Sims has three performances from this on his 1982 Oscar Ballot! We develop sympathy for Mr. Hand! Griffin used to own a pair of fully black Converse sneakers! And, of course - Ben orders a pizza.
Listen to An Evening with Belafonte/Makeba
See Lola in Sinner and check out her other projects
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Sun, 27 Apr 2025 - 2h 21min - 716 - Schindler's List with David Ehrlich
Our Early Spielberg series concludes with a movie that is a super fun time and not at all distressing to watch in our current political climate! David Ehrlich joins us to discuss 1993’s Schindler’s List, the film that defined the visual language of the Holocaust and finally got Spielberg his Oscar. We’re getting into the critical debates about this film’s “watchability,” the fact that this was only Ralph Fiennes’ second screen performance, and our (likely controversial) definitive ranking of Spielberg’s full filmography.
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Sun, 20 Apr 2025 - 3h 43min - 715 - Jurassic Park with Sean Fennessey
God creates dinosaurs. God destroys dinosaurs. God creates Steven Spielberg. Steven Spielberg makes 1993’s Jurassic Park and changes movie history. The Big Picture’s Sean Fennessey joins us to talk about this totemic blockbuster, and we’re spending three hours talking about the bad boys of the Jurassic era (velociraptors), the bad boys of ILM (Steve ‘Spaz’ Williams and Mark Dippe), and the bad boy of movie scientists (Dr. Ian Malcolm).
Note: this episode was recorded last fall, so some of the takes you’ll hear are a bit…frozen in amber. Yup, you guessed it. Hawk Tuah Talk again.
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Sun, 13 Apr 2025 - 3h 17min - 714 - Hook with Lin-Manuel Miranda
Everyone knows Captain Hook got swallowed by the crocodile at the end of Peter Pan. But what this movie presupposes is…maybe he didn’t? Let us go back to a time when the coolest thing a kid could have was a clubhouse that looked like a skatepark…when the worst thing a dad could do was own a cell phone…and when the craziest thing a filmmaker could do was agree to make a movie that started off as a child’s drawing. Lin-Manuel Miranda - most famous for starring as Captain Hook in his sixth grade production of Peter Pan - joins us on a trip to Neverland as we unpack Spielberg’s 1991 fantasia Hook. Bangarang, Blankies! And RIP Rufio.
Check out Lin's Warriors Album and the Hook Ultimate Edition Soundtrack
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Sun, 06 Apr 2025 - 2h 25min - 713 - Always with Richard Lawson
Is it possible for Steven Spielberg to make a movie that doesn’t exist? Well, he sure tried with 1989’s Always, a film where John Goodman plays Monterey Jack of the Rescue Rangers, Richard Dreyfuss riffs to no one as an annoying ghost, and Holly Hunter falls in love with the most dull hottie at the Plane Depot. Our beloved Richard Lawson joins us to talk planes, boy bands, Marlboro merch, and the enduring mystery of what happened between Kathy Bates, Holly Hunter, and Fran McD in that famous apartment.
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Sun, 30 Mar 2025 - 2h 32min - 712 - Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade with Chris Gethard
What if Indiana Jones had a dad who was a “grail scholar" but also his “eskimo brother" and he was played by James Bond and he had a funny little hat? We are so glad Steven Spielberg dared to imagine this scenario because we got Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade out of it! Chris Gethard - The self-proclaimed “Bad Boy of Blank Check Guests” - joins the crew to talk about this delightful film, considered a fulcrum point in Spielberg’s career where he switches perspectives from son to father. We’re talking about daddy issues. We’re asking if Kazim is the Kit Fisto of this film. We’re wondering if Elsa looking hottest when dressed as a Nazi is a weird psychosexual thing Spielberg is exploring. We’re realizing in real time that Indiana Jones might be a terrible archeologist. Basically - you should hand in your blimp tickets and join us on a very fun ride.
Listen to Gethard's Special A Father and the Sun
Checkout That Show monthly at UCB NY LIVE and LIVE STREAMED
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Sun, 23 Mar 2025 - 2h 40min - 711 - Empire of the Sun with Bilge Ebiri
Our Spielbergian journey takes us to new dramatic heights with 1987’s Empire of the Sun, the film that brought us Christian Bale (discovered by Amy Irving!), unexpected Joey Pants and Ben Stiller appearances, and a perfect use of John Malkovich. Bilge Ebiri joins us (and the Five Timers Club) to chat about how underrated this film is within the Spielberg canon, and how this movie evolves Spielberg’s perception as a serious dramatic artist.
Read Bilge's writing at Vulture
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Sun, 16 Mar 2025 - 2h 49min - 710 - The Color Purple with Kenice Mobley
After inventing the Hollywood blockbuster with Jaws, creating the world’s most loveable alien with E.T., and resurrecting the classic adventure serial with the Indiana Jones franchise, of course the next logical step in Steven Spielberg’s career was to…adapt Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel about the survival and strength of queer black women in the American south? Duh! Obviously! Comedian Kenice Mobley joins us to talk about 1985’s truly baffling and seismically important The Color Purple in our latest episode. We want to thank Quincy Jones for discovering Oprah and producing this movie. We want to yell at Quincy Jones for his awful, treacly score.
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Sun, 09 Mar 2025 - 2h 53min - 709 - Blank Check LIVE! at Town Hall (2025)
👑👑 A LIVE SHOW OF MAJESTIC PROPORTIONS 👑👑
Podcasters, cinephiles, and freaks—rejoice! Blank Check will be returning to Town Hall this summer to commemorate our 10th anniversary with a long-promised tribute to one of the greatest films in cinema history.
To honor our “Decade of Dreams,” we cordially invite you to a royal audience with King Ralph, the 1991 John Goodman/Peter O’Toole comedy that dared to ask, “What if there was a King Ralph?”
It will be an evening of reflection, analysis, elaborately produced (and adequately executed) royalty-themed bits, and an entire court of special guests. God save our gracious podcast!
Get your tickets HERE
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Fri, 07 Mar 2025 - 3min - 708 - Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom with Olivia Craighead
“Doom” isn’t just describing a Temple here, folks - it’s kind of the overarching vibe of this film! George Lucas is going through a bitter divorce. Steven Spielberg is dealing with PTSD from Twilight Zone: The Movie. Harrison Ford is suffering from a back injury from falling off an elephant or something. Kate Capshaw is there. A true cloud of doom hanging over this movie! Fortunately for you all, it’s only great vibes for us and Olivia Craighead *podcasting* about Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. It’s the return of the “George Lucas got cucked by the stained glass man” lore, of course we’re gonna have a blast.
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Sun, 02 Mar 2025 - 2h 31min - 707 - The Tenth Annual Blank Check Awards with Joe Reid
It’s a wonderful night for Blankies! Join us and This Had Oscar Buzz’s Joe Reid as we survey the year that was 2024 in cinema. Not to spoil too much, but some things that happen in this episode: Griffy Crystal sings a tribute to The Brutalist to the tune of “Bootylicious,” Nosferatu wins zero awards but shows up to present every category, Griffin is obsessed with Hundreds of Beavers, David hates The Bikeriders, Joe invents an incredible new bespoke category, and as always - Ben ranks his wettest films of the year.
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Sun, 23 Feb 2025 - 2h 52min - 706 - E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
We’re putting out a bit of a throwback episode for the most iconic (literal) blankie in film history - this week’s E.T. episode is guestless, with Griffin going rogue off the dossier, David making fun of Griffin for being an adult who likes toys and animation, and Ben getting emotional over a family film…decade of dreams, baby! Join us as we gush over the child performances, creature creation, and authentic emotionality of Spielberg’s canonical hit. Did you know that the Italian guy who designed E.T. kind of looks like E.T.? Or that Researcher JJ wrote his doctoral dissertation about the Reese’s Pieces product placement in this movie? Open the schools! But please - no frog dissections.
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Sun, 16 Feb 2025 - 2h 49min - 705 - Raiders of the Lost Ark with Brian Michael Bendis
You’re a young movie fan. It’s 1981. STEVEN SPIELBERG is teaming up with FREAKING GEORGE LUCAS (!?!?!) to make a movie with HAN SOLO…can you imagine how hyped you’d be?? Marvel Comics legend Brian Michael Bendis joins us to recount the colossal impact of RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK in this rollicking adventure of an episode. Jewish mysticism and weird Nazi stuff! Alfred Molina getting covered with a bunch of live spiders! Karen Allen coming up with an incredibly detailed backstory for Marion and Spielberg being like, “sure, whatever”! Danny DeVito almost being cast as Saleh?!?! You bet we’re getting into it, snakes and all.
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Sun, 09 Feb 2025 - 3h 22min - 704 - 1941 with Mike Mitchell & Nick Wiger
He invented the summer blockbuster. He inspired millions of people around the world to “watch the skies.” And now, he has sent Griffin Newman into an existential crisis over the question “what is comedy?” Our friends Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger of The Doughboys join us to talk about Steven Spielberg’s infamously unfunny 1941. Why IS this film - loaded with so many comedic superstars - boring as shit? Is the opening scene one of the most embarrassing exercises in hubris ever committed to screen? Would this movie be better if they just inserted the entirety of Dumbo into it? Why does Eddie Deezen keep getting banned from dining establishments? Someone has to ask these things.
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Sun, 02 Feb 2025 - 2h 42min - 703 - Close Encounters of the Third Kind with J.D. Amato
Five curious tones. A mountain of mashed potatoes. Bob Balaban with a beard speaking french. After the industry-changing success of JAWS, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND feels like a classic “blank check.” But it’s a little more nuanced than that! JD Amato returns for his 10th mainfeed appearance this week, and we’re getting into all of the production drama, real nerdy practical effects shit (cloud boxing!), and the complicated feelings we have towards the behavior of the adults in this movie. Seems like young Stevie Spielberg has some divorce trauma he’s working through! Has anyone ever made that observation before?
Decade of Dreams Theme and sound design composed by Alex Mitchell
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Sun, 26 Jan 2025 - 2h 49min - 702 - Jaws with Timothy Simons
Dunnnh dun. Dunnnh dun. Never before had two notes provoked such terror as they did in JAWS, the 1975 classic that invented the summer blockbuster, catapulted Steven Spielberg to Hollywood legend status, and inspired generational trauma about water. Actor and recognizable famous person Timothy Simons joins us to talk about this classic shark tale, and we go long on Scheider, Dreyfuss, Shaw, and the career of journeyman director Joseph Sargent (?). Which member of the Blank Check crew would be least likely to get attacked by a shark? Obviously Ben, because he respects water. What the hell did Chief Brody think he was gonna do when he apprehended the shark - arrest it? Why isn’t Griffin familiar with the concept of a ferry? We dare to ask these questions, just as the citizens of Amity dared to go into the water.
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Sun, 19 Jan 2025 - 2h 51min - 701 - The Sugarland Express with Esther Zuckerman
Young whippersnapper Steven Spielberg continues his run of dusty, road-centric films with 1974’s THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS, and we’re along for the (surprisingly chill) ride. Writer Esther Zuckerman joins us to discuss the cinematic persona of Goldie Hawn, William Atherton’s strange period of leading-man roles, the harmonica stylings of Belgian jazz legend Toots Thielemans, and Spielberg’s brief but fruitful collaboration with cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond. Note - we recorded this episode a few months in advance. We no longer endorse the whole Hawk Tuah thing.
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Sun, 12 Jan 2025 - 2h 17min - 700 - Duel
2025! Blank Check Year 10! Year of Miracles! In honor of our record 10th year of podcasting, we’re doing something we’ve never done before - going back to fill in the gaps on a filmography we’ve previously only partially covered. And what a filmography it is - folks, welcome to PODRASSIC CAST. We’re starting our exploration of the first half of Steven Spielberg’s career with his remarkable 1971 debut feature DUEL, a movie that was originally made for TV but later released with extra footage for a theatrical run. Driving is scary. Being this talented right off the bat is ALSO scary but in a different way. Beep beep, honk honk.
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Sun, 05 Jan 2025 - 2h 02min - 699 - Twin Peaks: The Return (Episodes 14-18) with Jane Schoenbrun
What year is it? Well, it’s 2024 - but not for long. It’s our last episode of the year! Director of this year’s I SAW THE TV GLOW Jane Schoenbrun joins us to talk about the conclusion of Twin Peaks: The Return, and, by default, the conclusion of our David Lynch series. In a show that intentionally defies the very concept of resolution, how do we put a bow on things? Well, we try! Shout out to Freddie and his glove. Oh, and Merry Christmas. Trauma is originary and unending.
Stream I Saw The TV Glow on MAX
Check out The Search for the Zone site
Spotify playlist of music from the films of David Lynch
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Sun, 22 Dec 2024 - 2h 21min - 698 - Twin Peaks: The Return (Episodes 9-13) with Fran Hoepfner
Dougie gets it on (or, more accurately, Naomi Watts gets HER Dougie on), guest Fran Hoepfner pitches her artisanal slime for adults (don’t steal the idea), and we relitigate LOST for the hundredth time in this penultimate episode of our Twin Peaks: The Return coverage. Can adults get mono? Why is it so hard for Lucy and Andy to buy a chair? THAT is the Audrey Horne plot? Will someone please have sympathy for David Sims, who isn’t going gray yet and desperately wants a cool subway-themed videogame?
Listen to Slow Xmas 4 now on Bandcamp!
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Sun, 15 Dec 2024 - 2h 31min - 697 - Twin Peaks: The Return (Episode 8) with Connor Ratliff
This is the podcast. These are the (two) friends. Drink full, and descend. The famous “Atomic Bomb” episode of The Return stands as one of David Lynch’s most defining works, an “origin story” for Twin Peaks, and one of the most experimental hours ever to air on narrative television. In a rare moment of “double dipping,” Twin Peaks S2 guest Connor Ratliff joins us again to discuss this landmark episode, offering a David Lynch impression that is superior to Griffin’s, which you probably thought could not be topped. We’re offering theories and explanations this episode, but we’re also talking about when Charlie died on Two and a Half Men and how to dodge LIRR fares because, of course. Gotta light?
Check out Connor’s one-person show “The Acting Class”
The George Lucas Talk Show, Live and LIVESTREAMED! In NY
The George Lucas Talk Show at SF Sketchfest
Try and find Connor’s cuts of Twin Peaks: The Return and Sully (Secret Videos) on the Blank Check Website, Sully knows the password.
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Sun, 08 Dec 2024 - 2h 19min - 696 - Twin Peaks: The Return (Episodes 1-7)
It is happening again - we’re covering TV! Or is it an 18-part movie? Much to ponder. We’re heading back to the Pacific Northwest (and Vegas…and New York…and the Red Room…and outer space?) in our first of four episodes covering Showtime’s 2017 series “Twin Peaks: The Return.” So far, we’ve got tulpas, Caleb Laundry Bag, three distinct versions of Dale Cooper, Dr. Jacobi’s gold shovels, Michael Cera doing a bad Marlon Brando impression, creamed corn barf, Matthew Lillard, a cryptic final message from the Log Lady, and a whole slew of David Lynch’s favorite contemporary indie bands. Suffice it to say - we’re hooked!
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Sign up for Check Book, the Blank Check newsletter featuring even more “real nerdy shit” to feed your pop culture obsession. Dossier excerpts, film biz AND burger reports, and even more exclusive content you won’t want to miss out on.
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Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter, Instagram, Threads and Facebook!
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For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com
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Sun, 01 Dec 2024 - 2h 15min - 695 - Inland Empire with David Rees
Only on Blank Check would an episode about David Lynch’s deeply destabilizing INLAND EMPIRE turn into a heartfelt celebration of creativity and the human experience. David Rees joins us and brings receipts - including literal receipts for every movie ticket he purchased in 2007 and his high school newspaper review of Twin Peaks (a pan) - as we gush about David Lynch’s singular position in American culture. Plus, we delve into tons of Laura Dern context, discuss dreams where you inhabit a different person, and spend an inordinate amount of time talking about the Snuffy Smith comic strip.
Listen to Election Profit Makers
Watch Going Deep with David Rees on YouTube
The Box Office Game is Sponsored by Regal Cinemas:
Sign up for Regal Unlimited today and get 10% off your 3 month subscription when using code BLANKCHECK
Sign up for Check Book, the Blank Check newsletter featuring even more “real nerdy shit” to feed your pop culture obsession. Dossier excerpts, film biz AND burger reports, and even more exclusive content you won’t want to miss out on.
Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes.
Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter, Instagram, Threads and Facebook!
Connect with other Blankies on our Reddit or Discord
For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sun, 24 Nov 2024 - 3h 01min
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