229 – Magic Mike XXL (with Pamela Ribon!)

Listeners, are you ready to be exalted?! This week, we welcome back author, screenwriter, Listen to Sassy co-host, and now OSCAR NOMINEE Pamela Ribon. And to welcome her back we’re going on a road trip with some exotic male dancers for Magic Mike XXL. The somewhat surprising sequel to the 2012 original (previously discussed on this podcast) dispensed with the commentary on capitalism and gave us everything we wanted from Mike and the boys: more dancing, more skin, and more guys being dudes. But softer box office and softer reviews kept this totally-not-directed-by-Soderbergh-not-at-all sequel out of serious awards contention, excluding some late-year critical reassessment.

This episode, we celebrate Pam’s success with her animated short My Year of Dicks and our high hopes for Mike’s swan song, Magic Mike’s Last Dance. We also discuss Roxanne Gay’s recap, Magic Mike Live, and the film’s genius film ensemble including Jada Pinkett Smith, Andie MacDowell, and Elizabeth Banks.

Topics also include campaign rules, “going to nationals” as a concept, and Joe Manganiello causing your pants to rip.

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@Had_Oscar_Buzz
Joe: @joereid
Chris: @chrisvfeil
Pamela: @pamelaribon

090 – Magic Mike

Based loosely on star Channing Tatum’s experience as an exotic dancer, 2012’s Magic Mike lured director Steven Soderbergh out of his ongoing “retirement” and became a summer smash. Women loved it, men loved, the critics loved it – except the Academy did not. Though released during the full swing of the McConnaissance, it would take another year for Oscar to honor Matthew McConaughey, overlooking his charming, thong-clad villain performance here, despite love from some major precursors.

This episode, we fire up the Ginuwine to discuss Tatum’s rising movie star career from beefcake to surprising comedic talent to his current downshift in visibility. We also look at Soderbergh’s career post-Oscar, including his reticence to play the Oscar game that might leave films like this (and Contagion) out of the running.

Topics also include the 2012 Best Supporting Actor field of all previous nominees (and who we think might have had sixth place), the forgotten Alex Pettyfer, and the multiple onscreen appearances of Channing Tatum’s bumbum.

Follow Us on Twitter!
@Had_Oscar_Buzz
Joe: @joereid
Chris: @chrisvfeil