Mase & Sue review MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - THE FINAL RECKONING, and THE LAST OF US Season 2 finale. Plus, Tony Award winning actor Joe Mantegna talks about his role in the original Broadway production of GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS, David Mamet’s distinctive writing style, 19 seasons portraying David Rossi in CRIMINAL MINDS, and his fellow Chicagoan, Pope Leo.

00:00 Introduction and Jacob Emrani Message

00:39 Welcome to the Culture Pop Podcast

04:00 Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning Review

09:36 The Last of Us Season 2 Recap

20:03 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐨𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐧𝐚

25:55 Show Evolution and Network Restrictions

28:48 David Rossi's Character Development

45:37 House of Games and Critical Acclaim

48:10 David Mamet's Unique Writing Style

51:56 Criminal Minds Evolution and Cultural Fears

Luigi: The musical. What??? And Jamie Lee Curtis’ big cosmetic surgery regret. Plus, 30 ROCK alums Lang Fisher and Tracey Wigfield talk about showrunning with Tina Fey on their new Netflix series THE FOUR SEASONS, the stellar cast, writing staff and why an homage to the original Alan Alda film.

00:00 Introduction and Jacob Emrani Message

00:39 Welcome to the Culture Pop Podcast

01:38 Luigi Mangione Musical Discussion

09:06 Jamie Lee Curtis and Plastic Surgery Regrets

15:20 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐲 𝐖𝐢𝐠𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝

15:44 Origins of 'The Four Seasons'

20:12 Generational Gaps in the Writers' Room

22:06 Audience Reactions and Relatability

24:33 Challenges of Personal Storytelling

30:55 Exploring Emotional Depth in Acting

32:58 Alan Alda's Cameo and Legacy

36:57 Hopes for a Second Season

Mase & Sue talk about Ryan Coogler’s musical horror film SINNERS plus the finale of HBO’S hilarious THE RIGHTEOUS GEMSTONES. Then, comedian/writer Carol Leifer talks comedy condos, HACKS, SEINFELD, CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, and her new book, HOW TO WRITE A FUNNY SPEECH.

00:00 Introduction and Jacob Emrani Message

00:39 Welcome to the Culture Pop Podcast

02:17 Discussion on 'Sinners' Movie

12:21 Review of 'Righteous Gemstones' Finale

18:06 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐫

21:50 Challenges and Support in Comedy

27:43 Favorite Seinfeld Episode: The Marble Rye

32:16 The Writer's Room Dynamics

34:13 How to Write a Funny Speech...

45:46 Writing for Award Shows

47:47 On-the-Fly Jokes During Live Shows

Mase and Sue talk about some of the buzziest shows on TV. They talk about Episode 3 of THE LAST OF US, the Netflix series ADOLESCENCE and Seth Rogen in THE STUDIO. Also, Carrie Preston talks about her latest project ELSBETH, featuring the character she created 16 years ago on THE GOOD WIFE. They discuss the inside skinny of her quirky character, the iconic villainous guest cast, her first film, her Broadway debut, and being cast in HBO’s vampire hit, TRUE BLOOD.

00:00 Introduction and Jacob Emrani Message00:39 Sue's San Francisco Trip03:01 TV Show Discussion: The Last of Us07:13 TV Show Discussion: Adolescence13:46 TV Show Discussion: The Studio20:37 𝐆𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧23:49 The Evolution of Elsbeth's Style30:16 Guest Stars and Iconic Collaborations35:15 The Journey to Julliard38:19 Hollywood Breakthrough: My Best Friend's Wedding40:59 Landing True Blood45:32 Broadway Debut with Patrick Stewart51:34 Elsbeth's Unique Approach

Mase & Sue discuss some must see Broadway shows, The Eagles at The Sphere, a wedding in St. Petersburg, Salvatore Dali, and an incident in a LYFT. Plus, Paul Guilfoyle chats about his new oddball art heist film, ANY DAY NOW, The Actor’s Studio, working with Al Pacino, Curtis Hanson’s directing style, and his long run on CSI.

00:00 Introduction and Jacob Emrani Message

00:40 Vacation Stories and Wedding Fun

08:17 Saturday Night Live Experience

12:32 Broadway Musicals Review

18:04 Vegas Trip and The Sphere Experience

25:44 𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐥 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐟𝐨𝐲𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐧 '𝐀𝐧𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐍𝐨𝐰'

29:23 Fictionalizing the Real Story

37:44 Challenges of Making Movies Today

43:33 Theater vs. Film

50:19 Memories of LA Confidential

54:39 CSI: Behind the Scenes

01:00:55 The Golden Age of Movies

Mase & Sue chat about Mase’s 60th Birthday Bash, the latest episode of THE WHITE LOTUS, and Jennifer Lopez’s odd new crush. Plus, Jesse L Martin discusses the science behind his gig on HULU’S hit crime drama, THE IRRATIONAL, how its bled into his real life, and landing a career defining role in the original cast of Jonathan Larson’s iconic Broadway musical RENT.

00:00 Introduction and Jacob Emrani Message

00:39 Steve's Birthday Party Highlights

15:44 Pop Culture Talk: White Lotus

23:54 Celebrity Dating Rumors

28:17 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞 𝐋. 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧

28:52 The Science Behind 'The Irrational'

31:33 Micro Expressions and Poker Tells

37:45 Detective Tropes and Real-Life Observations

40:35 Memories from 'Rent'

52:46 Working with Jonathan Larson

Mase & Sue honor 𝐖𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐍’𝐒 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐇 by discussing their top five performances by a female actor in film history. Plus, Jon Beavers chats about the twists and turns of HULU’s hit political thriller, 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐄, working alongside Kevin Costner in the epic western 𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐙𝐎𝐍: 𝐀𝐍 𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐒𝐀𝐆𝐀, and his unique approach to locking into his character. Also, if you’re looking for good eats in Pittsburgh two words - 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐈 𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐒.

00:00 Introduction and Jacob Emrani Message

00:40 Sue's Triathlon Experience

05:54 Preparing for a Big Party

07:34 Top Female Performances in Cinema

23:15 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬

29:03 The Complexity of Uncle Billy's Character

32:09 Parallels Between Characters' Lives

33:47 Sterling K. Brown's Impact on Set

42:30 The Mamba Mentality and Its Influence

01:02:44 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Mase & Sue discuss the OSCARS – Conan’s performance, favorite moments, and Mikey Madison’s bracket busting best actress win over Hollywood legend, Demi Moore. Plus, Krys Marshall talks about her role as agent Robinson in HULU’s hit political thriller, PARADISE, embracing a polarizing character, the depth of creator Dan Fogelman’s writing, and would you want to be one of 25,000 people to live if the world were coming to an end?

00:00 Introduction and Jacob Emrani Message

00:37 Academy Awards Recap

06:20 Oscar Winners and Surprises

12:53 Conan O'Brien Anecdote

15:33 𝐊𝐫𝐲𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰

23:34 The Realism of 'Paradise' and Climate Change

27:50 Xavier's Moral Dilemma in Paradise

31:50 Influences and Inspirations

33:04 Space Exploration and 'For All Mankind'

44:12 Behind the Scenes of 'Paradise'

54:23 Conspiracy Theories and Final Thoughts