Television shows and movies that touch on religious themes can have an enthusiastic and built-in audience, so it’s no wonder that filmmakers are eager to produce them when the opportunity arises.

“Daniel and the Fiery Furnace” is the latest in a recent surge of religious-themed programming retelling biblical tales. In this week’s episode, co-host Bruce Miller talks with stars Mena Massoud and Elijah Alexander. For Alexander in particular, the film marks another opportunity to tackle a faith-based project, having already starred in the series “The Chosen.”

In addition to those interviews, Miller catches up with Grammy and Tony-winning performer Leslie Odom Jr., who recently returned to one of his most notable roles as Aaron Burr in the Broadway show “Hamilton.”

About the show

Streamed & Screened is a podcast about movies and TV hosted by Bruce Miller, a longtime entertainment reporter who is the retired editor of the Sioux City Journal in Iowa and Terry Lipshetz, managing editor of the National Newsroom for Lee Enterprises based in Madison, Wisconsin. The show was named Best Podcast in the 2025 Iowa Better Newspaper Contest.

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Would you do anything for your child? That’s at the heart of “The Weight,” a new movie from Padraic McKinley starring Ethan Hawke, Russell Crowe and Julia Jones.

In this episode, co-host Bruce Miller talks with McKinley about his first big directing opportunity, working with Hawke, whose film company is producing the movie, and Crowe. Miller then speaks with Hawke and Jones.

Co-host Terry Lipshetz also discusses the end of the third season of the Hulu post-apocalyptic drama series “Silo,” as well as the new Netflix documentary “Untold Mr. T: I Pity the Fool” on 1980s icon Mr. T.

About the show

Streamed & Screened is a podcast about movies and TV hosted by Bruce Miller, a longtime entertainment reporter who is the retired editor of the Sioux City Journal in Iowa and Terry Lipshetz, managing editor of the National Newsroom for Lee Enterprises based in Madison, Wisconsin. The show was named Best Podcast in the 2025 Iowa Better Newspaper Contest.

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With summer largely over, it’s time to turn our attention back to the start of awards season, which kicks off with the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 14.

Which shows will lead the way? Season 2 of “The Pitt” seems destined to dominate the drama category. The other categories appear to be a little more wide open. Will “Hacks” get rewarded in its final season, or will a newcomer like “Widow’s Bay” play spoiler?

And while “DTF St. Louis” turned into one of the most buzzworthy shows of the past year, the limited series category feels a bit more wide open.

In this episode of Streamed & Screened, co-hosts Bruce Miller and Terry Lipshetz break down the main categories and discuss whether this might finally be the year where Harrison Ford is honored for a strong performance on “Shrinking.”

About the show

Streamed & Screened is a podcast about movies and TV hosted by Bruce Miller, a longtime entertainment reporter who is the retired editor of the Sioux City Journal in Iowa and Terry Lipshetz, managing editor of the National Newsroom for Lee Enterprises based in Madison, Wisconsin. The show was named Best Podcast in the 2025 Iowa Better Newspaper Contest.

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Thunder City by Lunareh, used under license from Soundstripe. YouTube clearance: FV694ULMCJQDG0IY

The latest show from Ryan Murphy, “The Shards,” has placed the spotlight on several young actors with celebrity connections, such as Kaia Gerber, daughter of Cindy Crawford, and Homer Gere, son of Richard Gere.

The show has also allowed for well-known Broadway producer Jordan Roth to finally break through in an acting role. Roth, who plays Steven Reinhardt, an assistant to Hollywood film producer Terry Schaffer (Wes Bentley), emerges from the fringes in early episodes to a more central role as the series unfolds.

In this episode, co-host Bruce Miller talks with Roth about finally getting an opportunity to act after years of Tony award-winning work as producer and creative director for hits such as “Hair,” “Kinky Boots,” and “Hadestown,” among others.

Miller and co-host Terry Lipshetz then discuss the life and legacy of Dolly Parton and Tim Curry, who both died at age 80 on Aug. 25.

About the show

Streamed & Screened is a podcast about movies and TV hosted by Bruce Miller, a longtime entertainment reporter who is the retired editor of the Sioux City Journal in Iowa and Terry Lipshetz, managing editor of the National Newsroom for Lee Enterprises based in Madison, Wisconsin. The show was named Best Podcast in the 2025 Iowa Better Newspaper Contest.

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Thunder City by Lunareh, used under license from Soundstripe. YouTube clearance: FV694ULMCJQDG0IY

Getting a movie made can cost a lot of money, so studios may be apprehensive about greenlighting certain projects.

But for some directors, that's not a problem. Christopher Nolan, whose credits include "Oppenheimer" and "The Odyssey," is among those who can get just about anything produced.

Which other directors make the list? On this episode, co-hosts Bruce Miller and Terry Lipshetz go through lists of directors who have become safe bets in Hollywood.

About the show

Streamed & Screened is a podcast about movies and TV hosted by Bruce Miller, a longtime entertainment reporter who is the retired editor of the Sioux City Journal in Iowa and Terry Lipshetz, managing editor of the National Newsroom for Lee Enterprises based in Madison, Wisconsin. The show was named Best Podcast in the 2025 Iowa Better Newspaper Contest.

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Thunder City by Lunareh, used under license from Soundstripe. YouTube clearance: FV694ULMCJQDG0IY

"Ted Lasso" is hardly the only show to reboot after calling it quits, but after starting the fourth season, we're wondering if a return to Richmond was necessary.

Co-host Terry Lipshetz is a longtime fan of the show and shares his thoughts on the new season and how it stacks up with other shows that have tried to make a comeback. He also talks about the end of Season 3 of "House of the Dragon," the first spinoff of the HBO classic "Game of Thrones," and an adventure to the IMAX theater to see "The Odyssey."

Bruce Miller talks about some of what he's been watching, including the latest installment in the "Camp Rock" film series and what is scheduled from NBC this fall after getting a preview from the studio.

About the show

Streamed & Screened is a podcast about movies and TV hosted by Bruce Miller, a longtime entertainment reporter who is the retired editor of the Sioux City Journal in Iowa and Terry Lipshetz, managing editor of the National Newsroom for Lee Enterprises based in Madison, Wisconsin. The show was named Best Podcast in the 2025 Iowa Better Newspaper Contest.

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Thunder City by Lunareh, used under license from Soundstripe. YouTube clearance: FV694ULMCJQDG0IY

His latest is "The Shards," co-created with Bret Easton, who is the author of the novel by the same name. The program is set in Los Angeles in 1981 and follows a group of friends (and a teen serial killer) at a prep school.

Following a discussion of the show, the hosts discuss Murphy's journalism background and the success others have had crossing from reporting into entertainment, including Cameron Crowe and David Simon.

About the show

Streamed & Screened is a podcast about movies and TV hosted by Bruce Miller, a longtime entertainment reporter who is the retired editor of the Sioux City Journal in Iowa and Terry Lipshetz, managing editor of the National Newsroom for Lee Enterprises based in Madison, Wisconsin. The show was named Best Podcast in the 2025 Iowa Better Newspaper Contest.

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Thunder City by Lunareh, used under license from Soundstripe. YouTube clearance: FV694ULMCJQDG0IY

The summer is for blockbusters and big budget movies, but in between there are plenty of smaller, independent films to be found.

One to keep an eye out for is "Westhampton," a film from director and Emmywinner Christian Nilsson that stars Finn Wittrock ("American Horror Story," "The Big Short") and RJ Mitte, best know as Walter White Jr. in "Breaking Bad."

In this episode, co-host Bruce Miller talks to all three about the film before he and co-host Terry Lipshetz talk about the new HBO docuseries "The Man Will Burn," which looks at the evolution of Burning Man.

About the show

Streamed & Screened is a podcast about movies and TV hosted by Bruce Miller, a longtime entertainment reporter who is the retired editor of the Sioux City Journal in Iowa and Terry Lipshetz, managing editor of the National Newsroom for Lee Enterprises based in Madison, Wisconsin. The show was named Best Podcast in the 2025 Iowa Better Newspaper Contest.

Theme music

Thunder City by Lunareh, used under license from Soundstripe. YouTube clearance: FV694ULMCJQDG0IY