Best Riley Lewis Podcasts (2026)

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The Empire Podcast Preview Of The Films Of 2026 1:36:41

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2d ago1:36:41

1:36:41

With the Empire Podcast team still in hibernation until the first show of 2026 (our live show at Kings Place, London, on Jan 9 — check kingsplace.co.uk for last-minute tickets), we're plugging the gap where the regular podcast would usually be with something a little different: a look ahead to the films of 2026, in which Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara,…

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How Alyson Richman Turns History into Heartfelt Fiction 50:45

4d ago50:45

50:45

Send us a text Nerds, this episode is truly something special. 🤍 Today on Fiction Fanatics, we’re joined by New York Times bestselling author Alyson Richman, and from the very first question, we were captivated by her warmth, depth, and singular way of storytelling. Alyson has a remarkable ability to weave history, love, grief, and art into narrati…

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O HOLY NIGHT & MILTON BERLE & JACK BENNY. 1:23:09

6d ago1:23:09

1:23:09

"This is Jay Lewis.. Tell us how you liked the show!" Jay celebrates Christmas by talking about another Christmas Carol. Learn all about the Christmas song, "O Holy Night." Learn all about who wrote it and some interesting facts of how it became the beloved Christmas song we have today. Enjoy double feature Christmas shows. Our first Christmas old …

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The Empire Podcast Review Of The Year 2025 2:41:08

8d ago2:41:08

2:41:08

And so, as 2025 disappears off into the distance, it's the most wonderful time of what's left of the year, as the Empire Podcast team get together in the podbooth for their marathon deep dive/look back at the cinematic year that was. Join Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, and James Dyer for this near-three-hour behemoth in which they go through the year …

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B-Legit Gets REAL: (Part 2) From Daryl Hall to Dark Days, E-40’s Genius & a Life-Changing Weight Loss. 1:15:18

11d ago1:15:18

1:15:18

Part 2 goes deeper. 🔥 B-Legit pulls back the curtain on working with Daryl Hall, surviving depression in an industry that doesn’t show mercy, and why E-40 is one of the sharpest minds hip-hop ever produced. Then he breaks down his weight loss journey, mindset shift, and what it took to reclaim his health and focus. This ain’t a highlight reel — thi…

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Cozy Reads & Comfort Characters with Laurie Gilmore 41:51

11d ago41:51

41:51

Send us a text We are absolutely smitten with this episode. 💖 This week on Fiction Fanatics, we’re joined by the wonderful Laurie Gilmore, and from the very first minute, it felt like chatting with a longtime friend. We talk about her writing journey, the heart behind her stories, and the magic of creating characters that feel like home. Laurie sha…

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Best and Worst Films of the Year 1:21:45

12d ago1:21:45

1:21:45

It’s that time of year on the Take when Mark runs down his best and worst films of the year—so get ready for a reminder of 2025’s biggest raves and rants from I’m Still Here to Tron: Ares. It’s all new content as he ranks the big-screen bangers and clangers of the last 12 months and picks the Take’s best picture. We’ll also look at the year’s best …

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Good Kate Winslet (lass) Looks Back on her Feats of Acting 1:02:23

14d ago1:02:23

1:02:23

Some exciting news—The Take is now on Patreon: www.patreon.com/kermodeandmayo. Become a Vanguardista or an Ultra Vanguardista to get video episodes of Take Two every week, plus member‑only chat rooms, polls and submissions to influence the show, behind‑the‑scenes photos and videos, the monthly Redactor’s Roundup newsletter, and access to a new fort…

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Farewell, Rob (ft. guests Glenn Close; Stephen Lang; Josh Safdie) 2:13:59

15d ago2:13:59

2:13:59

The final Empire Podcast of the year is here, folks, and it's a bumper-sized jamboree, longer than usual and hopefully fit to tide you over until we return with Episode 700 (live from Kings Place) on January 11th. For the first time ever, the revolving fourth chair revolves wildly during the pod itself, so Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, and James Dyer…

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It: Welcome To Derry — An Empire Podcast Special, In Association With Warner Bros. 46:38

15d ago46:38

46:38

They all float down here. Now that It: Welcome To Derry, the prequel to Andy Muschietti's It Chapter One and It Chapter Two, has finished its eight-episode run, the Empire Podcast has teamed up with Warner Bros. to bring you a special episode in which Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, and James Dyer conquer their fears of clowns, spiders, and spider-clow…

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AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH: “like some nightmare furries convention” 1:32:40

16d ago1:32:40

1:32:40

Some exciting news—The Take is now on Patreon: www.patreon.com/kermodeandmayo. Become a Vanguardista or an Ultra Vanguardista to get video episodes of Take Two every week, plus member‑only chat rooms, polls and submissions to influence the show, behind‑the‑scenes photos and videos, the monthly Redactor’s Roundup newsletter, and access to a new fort…

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Riley S. Quinn: More Fun, More Heart, More Magic 54:08

18d ago54:08

54:08

Send us a text In this week’s episode of Fiction Fanatics, the crew sit down with the brilliantly atmospheric storyteller, Riley S. Quinn. Known for her rich folklore influences, emotionally charged plots, and hauntingly beautiful prose, Riley opens up about her creative process, the origins of her most beloved characters, and how she weaves myth, …

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B-Legit (Part 1) Talks Growing Up In Vallejo, Early Days With E-40 and The Click and Their Rise To Success. 1:10:39

18d ago1:10:39

1:10:39

Legendary Bay Area rapper B-Legit sits down for one of his realest conversations yet, breaking down his journey from the streets of Vallejo, California to becoming hip-hop icons alongside his cousins and groupmates E-40, D-Shot, and Suga-T as The Click. In this episode, B-Legit opens up about the early grind, family ties, Vallejo’s influence on the…

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Paul Thomas Anderson & Boogie Nights: An Empire Podcast Special, In Association With Warner Bros. 44:55

22d ago44:55

44:55

Boogie Nights wasn't Paul Thomas Anderson's first movie (that was Hard Eight), but it's the film that put him firmly on the map, and served notice that here was a serious filmmaking force. And with the release of a remastered 4K UHD version of Boogie Nights on Monday, December 15, it's the perfect time for the Empire Podcast team — Chris Hewitt, He…

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There's Magic In The Air (ft. guests Shih-Ching Tsou & Sean Baker; Daryl McCormack & Cailee Spaeny; James L. Brooks) 1:56:11

22d ago1:56:11

1:56:11

The penultimate regular Empire Podcast of the year is here, folks (don't worry, there are specials galore on the way), and it's a belter. Guest-wise, we have more goodies under the tree, as Jamie Graham talks to longtime collaborators Shih-Ching Tsou and Sean Baker (the director of Anora) about Tsou's directorial debut, Left-Handed Girl, which can …

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F1: An Empire Podcast Interview Special ft. Jerry Bruckheimer, Damson Idris & Kerry Condon 1:04:35

22d ago1:04:35

1:04:35

"Yer man's in the pits, boss!" Joseph Kosinski's crowd-pleasingly kinetic F1 was one of the success stories of the year at the box office, displaying impressive legs (or wheels) to take the chequered flag with over $600 million in the global bank, making it the biggest hit of Brad Pitt's career. And now that the film is making its debut on Apple TV…

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Live Christmas Spectacular with Nia DaCosta and Jason Isaacs 1:24:18

23d ago1:24:18

1:24:18

Some exciting news—The Take is now on Patreon: www.patreon.com/kermodeandmayo. Become a Vanguardista or an Ultra Vanguardista to get video episodes of Take Two every week, plus member‑only chat rooms, polls and submissions to influence the show, behind‑the‑scenes photos and videos, the monthly Redactor’s Roundup newsletter, and access to a new fort…

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The Gilded Butterfly Effect: A Deep Dive with Heather Colley 29:28

25d ago29:28

29:28

Send us a text This week, we sit down with the brilliant Heather Colley, author of The Gilded Butterfly Effect, a darkly compelling and unflinchingly honest campus novel that digs into the pressures, performances, and hidden struggles of modern college life. We talk about what inspired this story, why today’s young women are navigating more pressur…

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JINGLE BELLS & MY FRIEND IRMA 48:36

26d ago48:36

48:36

"This is Jay Lewis.. Tell us how you liked the show!" Jay talks about the origins of that famous Christmas song, Jingle bells! Who wrote it? And learn some more interesting facts. The Christmas old radio show is from My Friend Irma. It's titled, " Irma's Christmas Party." It originally aired December 20th 1948. MERRY CHRISTMAS and ENJOY THE SHOW! S…

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QT's Making A List, We're Checking It Twice (ft. guests Taron Egerton; George Clooney & Adam Sandler; Jon M. Chu) 1:58:26

29d ago1:58:26

1:58:26

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees Christmas on our mind as we enter December, and accordingly we deliver a sackful of great guests to you, our loyal and loving listeners. First off, Chris Hewitt goes to Taron Egerton's actual flat (smells divine... and the flat wasn't bad either) to sit down with him for a candid chat about his career,…

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FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S 2: “I was struggling to stay awake” + Legendary James L Brooks 1:28:55

30d ago1:28:55

1:28:55

Some exciting news—The Take is now on Patreon: www.patreon.com/kermodeandmayo. Become a Vanguardista or an Ultra Vanguardista to get video episodes of Take Two every week, plus member‑only chat rooms, polls and submissions to influence the show, behind‑the‑scenes photos and videos, the monthly Redactor’s Roundup newsletter, and access to a new fort…

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The Shameless Plug #10: The Odyssey Odyssey 42:36

30d ago42:36

42:36

The new episode of The Shameless Plug is here, folks, and this month sees Chris Hewitt sit down with freshly-minted award winner, Empire editor Nick de Semlyen, to delve into one of the most special issues of Empire magazine in many a moon: our world exclusive first look at Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, for which Nick went on something of an ody…

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B2K Clears the Air: Betrayal, Growth & The Reunion Nobody Saw Coming 1:22:43

1M ago1:22:43

1:22:43

B2K pulls up for a powerful and emotional conversation about brotherhood, healing, and what it really took to overcome years of infighting, pride, and public pressure. For the first time, all four members open up about the journey from conflict to forgiveness — and how personal growth made space for a new era of unity. From child stars to global R&…

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Behind Blood Moon: A Fun & Inspiring Chat with Britney S. Lewis 58:50

1M ago58:50

58:50

Send us a text This week, we’re joined by the incredible Britney S. Lewis, author of The Undead Truth of Us and her newest YA novel Blood Moon — and we had the best time with her. Britney is one of those rare authors who instantly feels like a friend. She’s warm, hilarious, thoughtful, and endlessly inspiring. In this conversation, we dive into the…

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There Can Be Only Dozens (ft. guests Simu Liu; Ke Huy Quan; Richard Linklater & Ethan Hawke) 1:51:41

1M ago1:51:41

1:51:41

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt sit down with two actors who star in animated movies (and ask them both about their favourite things to do in London). First, Simu Liu Zooms in to talk about new Netflix family flick, In Your Dreams, plus his own dreams, and the return of Shang-Chi to the MCU. [21:38 - 38:30 approx] Then, …

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Is CHRISTY a knockout? + Noah Baumbach on JAY KELLY 1:25:22

1M ago1:25:22

1:25:22

Some exciting news—The Take is now on Patreon: www.patreon.com/kermodeandmayo. Become a Vanguardista or an Ultra Vanguardista to get video episodes of Take Two every week, plus member‑only chat rooms, polls and submissions to influence the show, behind‑the‑scenes photos and videos, the monthly Redactor’s Roundup newsletter, and access to a new fort…

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The Art of Honesty: A Conversation with Maxine Rosaler 48:43

1M ago48:43

48:43

Send us a text This week we’re joined by the incredible Maxine Rosaler — a writer whose work blends sharp observation, emotional honesty, and the quiet beauty of everyday life. In this heartfelt conversation, Maxine opens up about her writing journey, the themes that shape her stories, how motherhood and identity influence her work, and the art of …

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Damizza Breaks Down Shady Industry Moves & His Journey Helping The Careers Of Jay-Z, Ja Rule, Irv Gotti & Mariah Carey. 1:38:11

1M ago1:38:11

1:38:11

Damion Young, also known as Damizza, is an American radio executive, record producer, artist and author.Young began his career as a studio assistant at the age of 12, where Young went on to popularize numerous artists while working at Santa Barbara’s KHTY station, including Fiona Apple, Garbage and Hootie & the Blowfish, and later served as the hea…

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TURKEY TALK & GEORGE BURNS & GRACIE ALLEN 52:44

1M ago52:44

52:44

"This is Jay Lewis.. Tell us how you liked the show!" Jay opens up the Thanksgiving season by talking about that very important food centerpiece and that is the turkey. Learn all about how this big bird got into our Thanksgiving celebrations. Also enjoy our radio show from The George Burns and Gracie Allen show. It's the Thanksgiving show from Nove…

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Now & Ben: Benedict Cumberbatch on THE THING WITH FEATHERS 15:56

1M ago15:56

15:56

Howdy Take listeners—it's about time for another Now & Ben, don’t you think? This time it’s Benedict Cumberbatch—who chats to our Ben about his new film ‘The Thing With Feathers’, alongside director Dylan Southern. Based on the bestselling Max Porter novel, the movie follows Cumberbatch’s character ‘Dad’ through his grief at the sudden death of his…

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Escape From Malcatraz (ft. guests Benedict Cumberbatch & Dylan Southern; Joel Edgerton & Clint Bentley; Ariana Greenblatt) 1:57:43

1M ago1:57:43

1:57:43

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees the podteam — Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, and James Dyer — play themselves as they discuss great 'as themselves' performances in the movies. They also run their collective eye over the week's movie news, including heartening Star Trek developments, review Train Dreams, Wicked: For Good, Playdate, and S…

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WICKED: Which Witch Wins - Is the Sequel/Prequel Equal? 1:23:29

1M ago1:23:29

1:23:29

Some exciting news—The Take is now on Patreon: www.patreon.com/kermodeandmayo. Become a Vanguardista or an Ultra Vanguardista to get video episodes of Take Two every week, plus member‑only chat rooms, polls and submissions to influence the show, behind‑the‑scenes photos and videos, the monthly Redactor’s Roundup newsletter, and access to a new fort…

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Until the Heart Stops… and the Fangirling Starts with Gillian Eliza West 🖤 50:54

2M ago50:54

50:54

Send us a text She’s back! 🩸 This week on Fiction Fanatics, we’re welcoming Gillian Eliza West for her second visit — and we couldn’t be more excited to talk about her newest release, Until the Heart Stops. Set in the darkly enchanting city of Oylen, Until the Heart Stops is a lush, emotional vampire romance filled with forbidden love, power, and d…

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All The Information Is On The Task (ft. guests Edgar Wright, Rosamund Pike & Isla Fisher, Michael Shannon) 1:58:03

2M ago1:58:03

1:58:03

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast would surely deserve to get a full fat five points from Greg Davies, the Taskmaster himself, as Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and John Nugent apply themselves wholeheartedly (some more wholeheartedly than others, it must be said) to deciding which Taskmaster contestant has appeared in the best fil…

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Julia Ducournau & Tahar Rahim On Alpha: An Empire Podcast Interview Special 24:35

2M ago24:35

24:35

Alpha is the third film from the brilliant French filmmaker, Julia Ducournau, following on from her titanic debut, Raw, and her raw follow-up, Titane (which won the Palme D'Or, no less!). A tale of an unusual epidemic and generational trauma, there's much going on above and below the surface, which we get into in this interview special, as Jamie Gr…

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Edgar Wright on THE RUNNING MAN 1:21:18

2M ago1:21:18

1:21:18

Some exciting news—The Take is now on Patreon: www.patreon.com/kermodeandmayo. Become a Vanguardista or an Ultra Vanguardista to get video episodes of Take Two every week, plus member‑only chat rooms, polls and submissions to influence the show, behind‑the‑scenes photos and videos, the monthly Redactor’s Roundup newsletter, and access to a new fort…

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Jenny Beavan: An Empire Podcast Interview Special 45:41

2M ago45:41

45:41

Nicholas Hytner's The Choral, a delightful drama set in 1916 Yorkshire, is in cinemas now, folks. It features costumes designed by the legendary Jenny Beavan, who is one of the best costume designers in the business. Nominated for 12 Oscars, winner of three, Beavan has worked with directors like Robert Altman, James Ivory, and George Miller across …

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Good Books & Great Vibes with A.A. Barton 37:23

2M ago37:23

37:23

Send us a text This week on Fiction Fanatics, we’re joined by the incredible A.A. Barton — author, storyteller, and all-around force of creativity. 💫 We talk all things A.A. Barton: her newest book, navigating grief through writing, the heart behind her stories, and the exciting new projects she has on the horizon. It’s an honest, funny, and deeply…

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Isaac Hayes lll Talks Managing Legendary Fathers Estate, Creating The Social App Fanbase, And Redefining The Creator Economy. 1:31:07

2M ago1:31:07

1:31:07

Isaac Hayes III is a trailblazing music producer, entrepreneur, and digital visionary carrying forward the legacy of his legendary father, soul icon Isaac Hayes. As the founder and CEO of Fanbase, a groundbreaking social media platform empowering creators to monetize their content directly, Hayes is redefining ownership and influence in the creator…

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Daniel Day-Lewis, Sean Bean, & Ronan Day-Lewis On Anemone: An Empire Podcast Interview Special 50:02

2M ago50:02

50:02

Every year at the London Film Festival, Empire hosts a gala screening for a film that we particularly admire. This year's choice was Ronan Day-Lewis' Anemone, a drama that we called 'sad, absurdist, brooding, tender, and intense', and which marks the return to acting of the great Daniel Day-Lewis, father of Ronan and co-writer of the movie, after e…

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The Sound Of Burning Felt (ft. guests Jennifer Lawrence & Lynne Ramsay; Elle Fanning & Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi; Sean Bean & Daniel Day-Lewis) 1:51:46

2M ago1:51:46

1:51:46

Blimey, this week's episode of the Empire Podcast is star-studded, and then some. First, Chris Hewitt chats with Die, My Love star, Jennifer Lawrence, and director Lynne Ramsay, about unpredictability on set and receiving an email from Martin Scorsese; then, he has a crash course in Yautja from Predator: Badlands stars Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatan…

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Daniel Day-Lewis and Ronan Day-Lewis on ANEMONE 1:26:37

2M ago1:26:37

1:26:37

Some exciting news — The Take is now on Patreon: www.patreon.com/kermodeandmayo. Become a Vanguardista or an Ultra Vanguardista to get video episodes of Take Two every week, plus member‑only chat rooms, polls and submissions to influence the show, behind‑the‑scenes photos and videos, the monthly Redactor’s Roundup newsletter, and access to a new fo…

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The Shameless Plug #9: Stranger Things Has Happened 43:20

2M ago43:20

43:20

Another month, another issue of Empire, another episode of The Shameless Plug. This time, Chris Hewitt and Nick de Semlyen sit down to talk about how Stranger Things ended up on the cover of the world's biggest movie magazine, and nearly did so upside down. And they also talk about less strange things, including the stories behind the stories of th…

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Master P on No Limit vs Cash Money: The Verzuz That Shook Hip Hop! Talks No Limit Brotherhood. 1:18:15

2M ago1:18:15

1:18:15

Hip-hop legend Master P breaks down one of the most anticipated moments in Southern rap history — the long-awaited Cash Money vs No Limit Verzuz. From the street politics that once divided the two powerhouse labels to the brotherhood that finally brought them to the same stage, Master P shares raw insight into how this cultural moment came together…

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Breaking the Mold: Nikki Payne on Inclusive Love Stories 53:22

2M ago53:22

53:22

Send us a text We’re diving deep into the heart of modern rom-coms, Nerds! ✨ The brilliant Nikki Payne joins us to talk about her newest release, The Princess and the P.I., along with Pride and Protest and Sex, Lies and Sensibility. We chat all things love, laughter, and representation — from Jane Austen inspirations to why diversity and fresh pers…

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Now It's Time For Halloween (ft. guests Edward Berger, Yorgos Lanthimos, Mary Elizabeth Winstead & Maika Monroe) 1:56:15

2M ago1:56:15

1:56:15

It's Halloween, folks, so this week's episode of the Empire Podcast is extra-spooky, with Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Beth Webb get way too invested in a listener question about the horror movie death that they would want for themselves. Just keep repeating: it's only a podcast, it's only a podcast, it's only a podcast. Elsewhere, o…

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Is BUGONIA out of this world? + Ruth Wilson on DOWN CEMETERY ROAD 1:24:35

2M ago1:24:35

1:24:35

Some exciting news — The Take is now on Patreon: www.patreon.com/kermodeandmayo. Become a Vanguardista or an Ultra Vanguardista to get video episodes of Take Two every week, plus member‑only chat rooms, polls and submissions to influence the show, behind‑the‑scenes photos and videos, the monthly Redactor’s Roundup newsletter, and access to a new fo…

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Kenny Dalglish & Asif Kapadia on Kenny Dalglish: An Empire Podcast Interview Special 33:11

2M ago33:11

33:11

If you can hear a high-pitched squealing noise in the background of our latest interview special, that's just Chris Hewitt vibrating with excitement. For this podcast puts him in the room with one of his all-time heroes, Liverpool FC icon Kenny Dalglish, who is the eponymous subject of Asif Kapadia's latest documentary, which is out today (October …

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Books, Belonging & Big Feelings with ShonnaReads 49:44

2M ago49:44

49:44

Send us a text This week, we’re joined by the one and only @ShonnaReads — the radiant, book-loving powerhouse who’s making the reading world brighter and more inclusive. 🌈📚 Shonna opens up about her passion for highlighting diverse stories, celebrating underrepresented voices, and creating a book community that feels like home for everyone. We chat…

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MC Eiht (Part 1) Opens Up About His Years Gang Banging In Compton, Early Music Career, Meeting John Singleton, And Being On The Boyz N The Hood Soundtrack. 1:03:13

2M ago1:03:13

1:03:13

West Coast legend MC Eiht sits down for a raw and unfiltered interview about his early life growing up in Compton, the realities of gang culture, his rise in hip-hop, and his past beef with DJ Quik. MC Eiht also shares stories from his storied music career, his role in shaping West Coast rap, and what it was like working with Kendrick Lamar on Good…