Christine Baranski – This Had Oscar Buzz

With Meryl currently on her first film set in years, what better time than to dance, jive, and generally speaking have the time of our lives. We’ve invited our friend, writer and programmer Jorge Molina to discuss the Meryl movie that didn’t get her an Oscar nomination in 2008. A post 9/11 hit on the stage, Mamma Mia! tells the story of a bride who invites three men to her wedding who might be her father, all set to the music of ABBA. The film showed off against Batman himself to become a global smash (if not one with critics), and it remains a rewatch classic.

This episode, we discuss our origins with the musical and Meryl’s other 2008 performance. We also talk about the film’s ensemble including the divine Amanda Seyfried, our favorite numbers from the film, and whose voice fares the worst when singing.

Topics also include Chris Klein’s bad audition, Tom and Rita, and downloading Oscar medleys to an iPhone.

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We’re back again with another episode chosen by one of our sponsor-tier subscribers from Patreon, this time with a bit of 1990s gay cinema! Thank you Lance for bringing us all to 1995’s Jeffrey! Adapted from Paul Rudnick’s Off-Broadway smash play, the concept of an “AIDS comedy” made it difficult to get produced, but ultimately unique once it reached theatre audiences. Despite playing to a limited audience on film and taking a broad comedic approach to the culture surrounding gay life in the 1990s, Patrick Stewart’s performance as an interior designer diagnosed with AIDS earned some bit of buzz.

This episode, we talk about the career of Paul Rudnick and the types of gay cinema that emerged in this moment of American independent filmmaking. We also talk about Stewart’s surprising lack of awards history, Bryan Batt’s performance as Stewart’s lover, and Christine Baranski hosting a “hoedown for AIDS.”

Topics also include TikTok smash videos, “start my orange for me,” and Debra Monk talking gay stuff.

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Tag: Christine Baranski

353 – Mamma Mia! (w/ Jorge Molina!)

309 – Jeffrey (Patreon Selects)