Little Gold Men by Vanity Fair

Winning an Oscar takes a whole lot more than putting on a great performance – it also takes a great campaign. This week, VF Features Editor Hillary Busis joins Rebecca and John to trace the evolution of the modern Oscar campaign, from the cutthroat tactics of the ‘90s to the multimillion-dollar operations of today. The group also revisits their favorite moments from Oscar campaign history before offering some unsolicited advice to this year’s contenders.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Christopher Nolan looking like a lock for a Best Director Oscar nomination, who will claim the other four spots? This week, Vanity Fair Features Editor Hillary Busis joins Rebecca and John to size up the contenders, from Denis Villeneuve and Martin McDonagh to Los Javis and Olivia Wilde. The group also shares their picks for the November movies you won't want to miss.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Hollywood’s legacy studios struggle to adapt to a changing industry, independent film distributors are gaining ground. This week, Vanity Fair staff writer Savannah Walsh joins Rebecca and John to look at how A24, NEON, and Mubi became major players in the movie business. They also discuss the next wave of indie companies, including Black Bear and Sumerian Pictures, and debate what their growth means for the future of moviegoing.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Little Gold Men inbox is overflowing! This week, Vanity Fair Staff Writer Chris Murphy joins Rebecca and John to answer your questions about The Odyssey's Oscar prospects, the ins and outs of awards campaigning, and Tom Holland's future beyond Spider-Man. Plus, the group shares their predictions for next year’s Sundance lineup.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The films generating the most buzz right now aren’t big-budget blockbusters – they’re documentaries. To understand why, Rebecca, John, and VF Features Editor Hillary Busis discuss three provocative new docs: NAZA, an investigation into Israel's war in Gaza; Alex Gibney's four-hour Elon Musk exposé; and Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim's mind-bending Elizabeth Holmes documentary, You Can See Everything. They also reflect on how the nonfiction film business has changed and whether the Academy will embrace this year's most talked-about docs.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s been a whirlwind week in Hollywood, from the Emmys’ move to streaming and major premieres at the New York Film Festival to the newly official Warner Bros.–Paramount merger. Rebecca and John break down what it all means before turning to Digger, Tom Cruise’s first non-action movie in 15 years. VF Features Editor Hillary Busis joins them to unpack Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s critically savaged, box-office-challenged new film and debate whether Cruise’s performance is still strong enough to keep him in the Oscar race.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices...

Sixteen years after The Social Network introduced moviegoers to the dark side of Facebook’s founding, Aaron Sorkin is taking on the company again—this time as both writer and director—with The Social Reckoning. The film follows whistleblower Frances Haugen (played by Mikey Madison) as she exposes what Facebook knew about its own role in the spread of misinformation and political polarization. Rebecca and John discuss Jeremy Strong’s uncanny transformation into Mark Zuckerberg, debate whether the new film can escape the very long shadow of its predecessor, and ask what makes The Social Network hold up so well. Pl...

The fall film festivals are officially behind us, which means it’s time to start making some Oscar predictions we may or may not regret. Vanity Fair Features Editor Hillary Busis joins Rebecca and John to recap the biggest takeaways from TIFF, including La Bola Negra’s big win and whether I Play Rocky can actually go the distance. Then, the group compares their Best Picture prediction lists, revealing plenty of overlap and a few surprising disagreements.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 2026 Emmys happened Monday night, so Little Gold Men is coming to you early this week to break down the biggest wins, losses, and surprises of the evening. Rebecca, Hillary, and Vanity Fair executive editor Maggie Coughlan dig into Widow’s Bay’s massive sweep, celebrate Rhea Seehorn’s long-awaited Emmy win, and consider what this year’s results tell us about the Television Academy’s evolving tastes. They also weigh in on the best (and most baffling) looks of the night.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rebecca and John are back from the Colorado mountains and Chris Murphy is fresh off the Lido, so it’s time to take stock of the first two major stops in fall festival season. The group discusses the films that soared, the docs that shocked, and the performances that could be headed all the way to the Oscars. Plus, Rebecca reveals just how far she went to uncover Telluride’s top-secret screening.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Emmys are almost here, which means it’s time to put our predictions – and our reputations – on the line. Vanity Fair features editor Hillary Busis joins Rebecca and John to break down the toughest races of the night, from the crowded comedy categories to a showdown in Lead Actress in a Drama. Then, the group makes the case for the long-shot contenders they’d most like to see take home a trophy.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A bonus episode from our friends at WIRED's Uncanny Valley.

The hit HBO Max comedy series Hacks follows the tumultuous relationship between a young comedy writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) and legacy comedian Deborah Vance (Jean Smart). The show has also had a lot to say about the business of show business. Creators Paul W.  Downs and Lucia Aniello join Katie to talk about writing the series, corporate censorship, and why they find AI “deeply disturbing.”

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Rebecca and John discuss the behind-the-scenes drama surrounding the film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone and the long, complicated history of authors clashing with Hollywood over adaptations of their books. Then, Rebecca catches up with Wonder Man star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II about the surprise cancellation of the series after its first season. They also discuss Abdul-Mateen’s theater background and evolving relationship to watching his own work.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The mailbag is open! This week, Rebecca and John answer your questions about this year’s Best Actress race, how to make the most of Telluride, and so much more. Then, John talks to Widow’s Bay creator and showrunner Katie Dippold about the inspiration behind the Emmy-nominated horror-comedy series. Stick around till the end for a special round of FMK: Horror Movie edition.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jason Bateman has spent much of his career playing the calmest person in the room. But this year, his Emmy-nominated performances in Black Rabbit and DTF St. Louis flip that persona on its head. Rebecca talks with Bateman about embracing more emotionally exposed roles, how he decides which creative hats to wear on a project, and and why hosting SmartLess is the “easiest yet most lucrative” job of his career.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, ​Rebecca, John, and Vanity Fair features editor Hillary Busis each make the case for one television trend they’d happily banish forever, from the airport novel adaptation to the fictionalized true-crime miniseries. Then, after adequate complaining, they discuss the kinds of shows they’d like to see more of, including lower-stakes storytelling and the return of great episodic television.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Rebecca and John are joined by Vanity Fair features editor Hillary Busis to discuss the recently announced Toronto and Venice Film Festival lineups. They spotlight the movies generating the most buzz and speculate about which might still be headed to Telluride. Plus, a spirited debate over which festival matters most and whether festivals still have the power to launch an Oscar campaign.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apple TV netted a personal best 89 nominations and is the third-most-nominated network at this year's Emmy Awards (behind awards behemoths Netflix and HBO). But when the service first launched in 2019, with eight original series and zero back catalog, few would've predicted its current success. VF Special Correspondent Joy Press joins Rebecca and John to dig into the streamer's early fumbles and current hits, and make sense of why a huge tech company is willing to lose so much money making prestige television. Plus, they dig into the Emmys' controversial decision to bump 5 categories from the primetime telecast and the...

This week, Rebecca and John are joined by Vanity Fair Features Editor (and resident classicist) Hillary Busis to dive in to Christopher Nolan's excellent new film, The Odyssey. First, on the off-chance you don't remember everything about Homer's original from your high school English class, Hillary gives a refresher on the plot points and themes of the epic poem. Then, the group digs in to the new adaptation, the controversies surrounding it, and what the film's quality and reception will mean for its box office and awards future.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

This morning, the Television Academy announced its nominations for this year's Emmy Awards, so Rebecca and John sat down with VF Staff Writer Chris Murphy and Special Correspondent Joy Press to dig into the snubs and surprises of the day. Plus, they chat about the film news that's been percolating over the holiday break, from Luca Guadagnino's Artificial drama to the Obsession box office that keeps on climbing.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This year’s Emmy nominations won’t be announced until July 8, but that isn’t stopping Little Gold Men from making some bold predictions. Rebecca and John are joined by Hillary Busis and Savannah Walsh for a category-by-category breakdown of the upcoming races. They discuss whether The Pitt will sweep in drama (again), if Widow’s Bay is this year’s sleeper hit, and whether The Bear’s reign may finally be ending. Plus, the under-the-radar contenders Emmy voters shouldn’t ignore.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Disclosure Day," Steven Spielberg's latest extraterrestrial-inflected adventure, is drawing his biggest box office in years — all the more impressive given its originality. Critical reception has been largely positive, but is this film a return to form? Rebecca, John, and VF Staff Writer Chris Murphy debate the merits of the film, share their favorite Spielberg titles, and ask whether there's any filmmaker who might take up the mantle of "the next Steven Spielberg."

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Charles Melton plays a lovable (but none too bright) hottie in season two of the Netflix anthology series Beef. But beneath his character’s good natured surface is a man struggling to make sense of his identity and place in society. Rebecca sat down with Melton to discuss his character’s transformation, what it was like collaborating with series creator Lee Sung Jin, and how he interprets the show’s controversial season two ending. Melton also opens up about his evolving relationship to his Korean heritage and how becoming a father has changed his perspective on work and time.

Summer movie season is officially here, so Rebecca, John, and Hillary are breaking down the biggest studio blockbusters and under-the-radar gems on the horizon. From Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day to a slew of raunchy indie comedies, this season is shaping up to be a crucial test for Hollywood’s recovery. Then, Vanity Fair staff writer Chris Murphy talks with The Gilded Age stars Carrie Coon and Morgan Spector about the show’s passionate fan base, the real-life relationship experiences they bring to their characters’ marriage, and what comes next for one of television...

Everyone and their mother has an opinion about Sydney Sweeney, but according to the actress herself, most people have no clue who she actually is. Rebecca caught up with Sweeney shortly after the Euphoria finale aired to talk about saying goodbye to Cassie Howard, filming the series’ long-awaited final season, and the deleted pole-dancing scenes she hopes fans eventually get to see. Plus: anime, internet rumors, and finding freedom as an actor.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FX's Love Story: John F. Kennedy, Jr. & Carolyn Bessette swept up audiences after it burst onto our TV's earlier this year. It also launched the careers of its two stars, Paul Anthony Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon, after their mesmerizing performances as the couple who became a national obsession. But it was a long road to get there, as they physically transformed into the iconic characters and dealt with audience blowback before the show had even come out. At a special live event presented by FX, Rebecca and John sat down with Paul Anthony Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon to discuss...

John and Rebecca discuss the scary-good box office for two recent horror debuts and the ups and downs of the Hacks and Euphoria series finales. Then, they pass the mic over to a NYC-based panel of theater lovers to talk about the awards show that puts the T in EGOT, this weekend's Tony Awards. Senior Editor Hillary Busis, Staff Writer Chris Murphy, Entertainment Director Caitlin Brody, and LGM Senior Producer Michele O'Brien make a case for why the Tonys are the most fun awards show to watch (even if you know nothing about the nominees), and make their predictions...

Noah Wyle didn’t expect The Pitt to become one of television’s biggest dramas, or for viewers to once again see him as their doctor. But after an Emmys-sweeping first season and decades spent playing physicians on screen, Wyle has learned to embrace both realities. Rebecca caught up with the actor, writer, producer, and director to talk about why he resisted going “bigger and bloodier” after season one, what it’s like making one of TV’s most medically accurate dramas, and why some fans are so mad about Dr. Robby’s emotional unraveling. Plus, who is America’s doctor’s favor...

Stephen Colbert has officially signed off, CBS is exiting the late night game, and the future of the format feels more uncertain than ever. This week, Rebecca and John are joined by VF special correspondent Joy Press to discuss the final episode of The Late Show, the politics and economics behind CBS’s decision, and the social media stars redefining the genre. They also share their top picks for what to watch this month.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In their final Cannes dispatch, Rebecca and John dish about some of the buzziest films of the week and attempt to predict the hard-to-pin-down Palme d'Or. They also discuss the reasons why the festival has seemed quieter this year, and debate which films we'll be talking about come Oscar season.

Follow along on Vanity Fair's Cannes liveblog, and send your festival questions to [email protected].

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a party- and screening-filled weekend on the Croisette, Rebecca and John report back from the Cannes Film Festival, including a peek inside Vanity Fair's casually elegant event at Tetou. They discuss the couple of great films and the larger number of disappointing ones, and give a preview of the premieres to come. Plus, did Rebecca help Jordan Firstman decide which studio to go with for Club Kid? Did the cast of the new White Lotus season spill any juicy secrets to John? There's one way to find out!

Follow along on Vanity Fair's Cannes liveblog, and...

Rebecca and John have had an eventful first few days at Cannes, from getting lost in the Palais, to a glamorous luncheon at the Carlton, to a surprisingly emotional The Fast and the Furious anniversary screening. In this first special episode from the festival, they talk about the films they've seen so far, the AI chatter on the ground, and the red carpet's most-discussed moments.

Follow along on Vanity Fair's Cannes liveblog, and send your festival questions to [email protected].

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, as Rebecca and John prepare to head overseas to cover the Cannes Film Festival, they're joined by BFF Hillary Busis to answer listener questions all about the storied event, from survival tips to what each programming category means, and whether the much-discussed La Pizza is actually any good. Then, the three intrepid co-hosts bravely offer some early predictions for Best Picture and more.

Tune in over the next 2 weeks for Little Gold Men's special Cannes coverage, and send your questions about the festival to [email protected]! 

Learn more about your a...

When Sam Levinson's vibey, drug-inflected high school show Euphoria premiered in 2019, it took the Internet by storm and quickly became the most-watched show on HBO Max — and most-memed show on social media — despite mixed reviews. But in the four years since the show's second season, rumors of off-screen chaos, as well as confirmed exits from cast and creatives, have made fans nervous. So, how does the long-awaited Season 3 hold up to expectations? Rebecca and John are joined by VF Senior Staff Writer Max Adler to discuss the high highs and weird lows.

Learn more about your...

This week, Rebecca, John, and VF Staff Writer Savannah Walsh dive deep into the world of The Devil Wears Prada, looking back at what made the 2006 film so indelible and discussing how the sequel, set in the very different media landscape of 2026, gets it right. Then, Rebecca sits down with the writer behind both films, Aline Brosh McKenna, to talk about how the long-awaited sequel came to be and which of the films' four main characters feels most like her. That's all.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In an age of handwringing about the lack of "real movie stars," Zendaya has entered the chat in style. The multi-hyphenate star is having a packed 2026, with the already-released Euphoria and The Drama — not to mention her high-profile collab with stylist Law Roach and sportswear brand On — and three of the year's most-anticipated blockbusters (Spider-Man: Brand New Day, The Odyssey, and Dune: Part Three). And we're still excited to see her every time, both on screen and on the red carpet. So what makes Zendaya such a star of the moment? Rebecca and John are joined by Staff Writer Chri...

We tune in to our favorite reality shows for the onscreen drama, but lately the scandals have started to spill off the screen and into the real world, from Taylor Frankie Paul to the Bravoverse. This week, VF Contributing Editor Anna Peele joins Rebecca and John to break down this chaotic moment in unscripted television, from the shows that are still on the air decades after they first premiered to the upstarts coming for the crown. Plus, a first look at the Cannes lineup.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Oscars? We don’t know her. This week, Rebecca and John are joined by VF Special Correspondent Joy Press to dive back into the wonderful world of television. They preview the dramas, comedies, and limited series we'll be talking about when the Emmy Awards roll around in September, so you can catch up now. They also catch up on The Drama, the Euphoria premiere, and the decision to move the Oscars to a decidedly less special home.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Oscars have come and gone, but Little Gold Men still has some superlatives to hand out. Rebecca, John, and Hillary gather to discuss the 2025-2026 awards season one last time. Who ran the best campaigns? Whose campaigns flopped? What were the best fashion moments and stunts we saw along the way? And whose career was changed for the better by this season?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a long awards season, this year’s Oscars results were… kinda great! The winners came from a host of different deserving films, and no one movie or person felt robbed. Rebecca, John, and Chris woke up bright and early to dish about the ceremony’s highs and lows — and share some highlights from inside VF’s dinner and afterparty at LACMA. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices