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The celebrated music supervisor also sought off-the-beaten-path tracks for FX’s ‘Mrs. America.’

When episode five of Hulu’s Little Fires Everywhere hit the air, fans took to social media to rave about the episode’s instrumental version of Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know.” As performed in the show by wayward Izzy (Megan Stott), the song immediately registered in the collective subconscious of Fires viewers. “Did I just hear that?” “Was that Alanis?” “On the violin?” A truly brilliant and memorable rendition, the song that served multiple roles within the narrative. It was a legitimate 1990s-era smash that would be at the forefront of a 90s-era moody teen. It also provided thematic underlining to the increasingly angry tone of the series.

You can thank music supervisor Mary Ramos for that.

Ramos and I spoke at length about her process in integrating music with her projects’ themes. She talked about working with Tarantino and about Little Fires Everywhere and Mrs. America. In fact, although she wasn’t prepared to record an official podcast, I’m sharing this audio with our listeners because the conversation flows so beautifully. It’s just two people talking about the great music they both love. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I did recording it.

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Music from https://filmmusic.io

“Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)

License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Emmy-winner Niecy Nash joins the Water Cooler Podcast to talk about her dramatic performance in Lifetime’s Stolen By My Mother: The Kamiyah Mobley Story.

Niecy Nash knows how to build a robust career. She balances the demands of comedy and drama projects with grace and style. Just look at her 2020 projects alone: A Million Little Things, Claws, Reno 911!, Mrs. America, Never Have I Ever, and Lifetime’s Stolen By My Mother: The Kamiyah Mobley Story. The diverse resume of comedic and dramatic roles highlight Nash’s ability to transcend genre. As a result, audiences and critics alike celebrate her acting as some of the best in modern television.

But the enviable ability to span both genres is not a surprise to Niecy Nash.

“You know what they say, ‘People who make you laugh can make you cry, but it’s not true in reverse.”

Niecy Nash joins the Water Cooler Podcast to discuss her recent Emmy-worthy roles, including the ripped-from-the-headlines drama Stolen By My Mother: The Kamiyah Mobley Story. She also talks about the heavy emotion she experienced during the recent George Floyd-inspired activism. She along with fellow cast members from Reno 911! donated funds to support Floyd’s family during their time of need.

She also talks about her biggest surprise from the Mrs. America set: that co-star Sarah Paulson is funny. Really funny. So funny, in fact, that she and Nash are exploring a buddy comedy project.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy my podcast interview with Niecy Nash, star of many great 2020 projects including Lifetime’s Stolen By My Mother: The Kamiyah Mobley Story.

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Music from https://filmmusic.io

“Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)

License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

This week, the Water Cooler gang starts their state of the state Emmy analysis as we (finally) head into Phase 1 Emmy voting in July.

Believe it or not, we’re finally here. It’s almost time for the Television Academy to start breaking out their nomination ballots and vote for Phase 1 of the 2020 Emmys. Now, what will happen to the 2020 Emmy ceremony? Who knows. But today, we’re looking at the major contenders in the Comedy and Drama Series races. Which shows are ahead? Which shows could surprise? And what will dominance in the Series races mean for the acting, directing, and writing races? Joey, Megan, and Clarence cuddle up around the Water Cooler to spill some Emmy tea.

But first, we continue the weekly Corona(virus) Corner. As always, we share what we’ve been watching since we’ve been sheltering at home.

We close our podcast, as always, with the Flash Forward to the media we’re most anticipating in the upcoming week.

Thanks for listening and thank you, in advance, for subscribing and rating us on Apple Podcasts!

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Music from https://filmmusic.io

“Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)

License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Before Joey Moser spoke with the visual effects supervisor of Stranger Things, he had no idea that Paul Graff and his team have yet to win an Emmy for their work on the sci-fi/horror series. When you think of all of the supernatural things that go down in Hawkins, it’s staggering that they haven’t been recognized for their creepy, crawly creations. Hopefully that will change for their work on Stranger Things 3.

There is something slimy and sticky in the bowels of Hawkins. A monster inhabits Dacre Montgomery’s Billy, and it’s making rats explode all over town. Graff had to give the monster a weight to it and he was invested in how it moves and left residue everywhere it went. He also talked about how there are visual effects all through the show that we don’t expect them to be visual effects. Susie, do you copy?

So, sit back, relax, and enjoy our conversation with Paul Graff, visual effects supervisor for Netflix’s Stranger Things. Make sure you subscribe to the Water Cooler Podcast if you don’t already. As we head into the heart of the 2020 Emmy season, we’ll be featuring more interviews with high-profile Emmy contenders.

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Music from https://filmmusic.io

“Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)

License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

This week, the Water Cooler gang surveys the offerings on HBO Max. The HBO streaming service offeres new content including Anna Kendrick’s Love Life.

The three M’s are back together again to discuss HBO Max. HBO’s new streaming service is most notable for bringing Friends back to the streaming world in addition to the other bevy of HBO historic content. It also offers some new series including Anna Kendrick’s Love Life and the drag competition show Legendary. But do these series plus Succession, Game of Thrones, and other content native to HBO justify another streaming service. We review the new series, including Love Life, and see what Emmy prospects exist for HBO Max. Is Anna Kendrick a dark horse for an Emmy nomination for Comedy Actress? We also talk about how HBO Max can remain competitive in the abundant streaming world.

But first, we continue the weekly Corona(virus) Corner. As always, we share what we’ve been watching since we’ve been sheltering at home.

We close our podcast, as always, with the Flash Forward to the media we’re most anticipating in the upcoming week.

Thanks for listening and thank you, in advance, for subscribing and rating us on Apple Podcasts!

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Music from https://filmmusic.io

“Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)

License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

The Water Cooler Gang continues their Most Iconic Directors series with a look at Pedro Almodóvar’s Oscar-winning All About My Mother.

This week, we’ve approached a milestone in our Most Iconic Directors series with The Almodóvar Series. This is, of course, our monthly look at the films and legacy of Spain’s Pedro Almodóvar. May’s title is his 1999 Oscar-winning drama All About My Mother. The film brought Almodóvar his first Oscar after over a decade of success in his native Spain. All About My Mother stars Cecelia Roth (Labyrinth of Passion) as a mother embarking on a healing journey after her teenage son dies suddenly. The film marks one of Almodóvar’s biggest critical and box office successes up to that point. It is beloved for its empathy and deep compassion for its characters which run the gamut from actresses, prostitutes, transgendered women, and of course mothers. We talk about the brilliance of the film and its resonant themes with AwardsWatch‘s Erik Anderson.

Next month’s entry (June 28) will be Almodóvar’s first Oscar-winner for Best Screenplay Talk to Her with special guest Brian Susbielles.

But first, we continue our weekly therapy session, Corona(virus) Corner. Here, as always, we share what we’ve been watching since we’ve been sheltering at home.

We close our podcast, as always, with the Flash Forward to the media we’re most anticipating in the upcoming week.

Thanks for listening and thank you, in advance, for subscribing and rating us on Apple Podcasts!

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Music from https://filmmusic.io

“Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)

License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

The Water Cooler Gang welcomes Kevin Dillon to chat about 3 premieres, including TNT’s Snowpiercer adaptation.

With Clarence off this week, Megan and Joey are joined by fellow ADTV contributor, Kevin Dillon, to talk about this weekend’s big premieres. Bong Joon-Ho’s 2013 Snowpiercer has been adapted (sans American’s ass) by TNT for a long-form series. Does it capture the same intensity of the original film? How are Jennifer Connelly and Daveed Diggs? Will we throw this mamma from the train after our initial viewing?

Sam Esmail’s Homecoming was underrepresented in last season’s Emmy race (it only nabbed cinematography), but how does this second outing fare? This could be a huge turn for star Janelle Monae, but is the story as captivating without Julia Roberts?

Lastly, we talk about the Issa Rae-Kumail Nanjiani Netflix comedy, The Lovebirds. Originally scheduled for an early April release, the film transferred to the streaming service after…you know. Megan, Joey, and Kevin are all big Rae fans, so we talk about the chemistry between the two leads.

Next week we will return with the latest entry in our Almodovar Series by welcoming AwardsWatch’s Erik Anderson will join us to discuss All About My Mother. You can rent the film over at Amazon.

We close our podcast, as always, with the Flash Forward to the media we’re most anticipating in the upcoming week.

Thanks for listening and thank you, in advance, for subscribing and rating us on Apple Podcasts!

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Music from https://filmmusic.io

“Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)

License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

The Water Cooler Gang again welcomes Jordan Walker to discuss some recent mildly controversial Emmy predictions. Plus, we review the Kimmy Schmidt movie!

This week, TV Talk With JWalk’s Jordan Walker returns to the Water Cooler to dish some recent Emmy predictions. The Emmy season is still early, so many of these predictions are typically left field. Everyone wants to be the one to grab that early Fleabag-level surprise prediction, true. But sometimes, early predictions steer Emmy watchers in very wrong directions. In our opinion, of course. We talk about one set of early Emmy predictions with Jordan and start breaking down the 2020 Emmy race. We also review Netflix’s Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy Versus the Reverend. Does this interactive special fare better than Black Mirror? Can it save the format?

But first, we return to Corona(virus) Corner to discuss the latest television and movies we’ve seen during the quarantine. We also talk about the series finale to Viola Davis’s How To Get Away With Murder.

Remember to join us next week for the latest entry in our Almodovar Series. AwardsWatch’s Erik Anderson will join us to discuss All About My Mother.

Remember to join in two weeks for the latest entry in our Almodovar Series. AwardsWatch’s Erik Anderson will join us to discuss All About My Mother.

Thanks for listening and thank you, in advance, for subscribing and rating us on Apple Podcasts!

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Music from https://filmmusic.io

“Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)

License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Archie Panjabi, the co-star of I Know This Much Is True and Run, talks to Awards Daily about stepping into such diverse roles.

One of the many highlights of HBO’s new limited series I Know This Much Is True is co-star Archie Panjabi. Playing therapist Dr. Patel, Panjabi shares most of her scenes with star Mark Ruffalo as Dominick, one of two twin brothers struggling to overcome a difficult childhood and a legacy of toxic men. Panjabi’s Patel challenges Dominick to confront his inner demons and attend to himself as strenuously as he does his twin brother Thomas.

Panjabi’s performance as Dr. Patel makes her a challenger in this year’s Emmy conversation, but Panjabi isn’t a stranger to the Emmy race. She already has three nominations, winning her first time out for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for The Good Wife. It was a surreal experience that changed the world’s outlook on Archie Panjabi.

“It was very exciting and so unexpected. I often tell the story of how when I walked down the red carpet, no one knew who I was and no one wanted to take my picture,” Panjabi laughs. “It was such a dream to be invited to the Emmys and then suddenly to just go completely unnoticed. I was convinced that was a sign that I hadn’t a hope in hell of winning, so when I won it was a wonderful surprise.”

Perhaps it’s a dream that she’ll get to relive with her two major projects this season. In addition to I Know This Much Is True, Panjabi will contend in HBO’s comedy series Run. There, she plays completely against her role as Dr. Patel. In Run, she plays Fiona, long-time assistant to Billy (Domhnall Gleeson). Her role shows a playfully unhinged and devious side of Panjabi, and she’ll contend in the Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series race.

Here, Archie Panjabi talks to me about both performances and the differences between the two characters. She talks about her experience working with director Derek Cianfrance on his actor-friendly set for I Know This Much Is True and jumping into a highly dramatic scene on Day 1 of the shoot. She also talks about Dr. Patel’s motivations and tactics working with the troubled Dominick. She then closes by describing the great fun she had working on Run.

So, sit back, relax, and enjoy our conversation with Archie Panjabi, co-star of HBO’s limited series I Know This Much Is True and comedy series Run, which both continue Sunday night. Make sure you subscribe to the Water Cooler Podcast if you don’t already. As we head into the heart of the 2020 Emmy season, we’ll be featuring more interviews with high-profile Emmy contenders. That includes many cast members from I Know This Much Is True.

So stay safe and enjoy this Water Cooler Podcast exclusive!

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Music from https://filmmusic.io

“Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)

License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

In a special Emmy edition of the Water Cooler Podcast, Clarence talks to Derek Cianfrance, the director of HBO’s acclaimed limited series I Know This Much Is True, starring Mark Ruffalo.

Welcome to another Emmy contender edition of the Water Cooler Podcast! Today, we bring you Clarence’s interview with acclaimed director Derek Cianfrance. Derek broke out in a big way with 2010’s indie smash Blue Valentine which starred Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling. Following that, he continues to pursue emotionally raw and challenging projects. Projects that aren’t afraid to highlight the darker side of the human experience.

His latest work continues in that tradition. Based on the celebrated novel by Wally Lamb, HBO’s I Know This Much Is True stars Mark Ruffalo, Rosie O’Donnell, and more. Ruffalo plays twin brothers Dominick and Thomas struggling in their own ways to cope with a difficult family legacy. Derek produces and directs all six episodes from his own screenplay. The limited series perfectly captures the spirit of the novel along with a career-best performance from Ruffalo.

Here, Derek talks to Clarence about what attracted him to the project and how it allowed him to explore personal tragedy through his art. He talks about guiding his actors through such challenging material and the tremendous work from his accomplished cast. He also reveals what within the 90’s-era series resonates with our modern culture.

So, sit back, relax, and enjoy our conversation with Derek Cianfrance, director of HBO’s limited series I Know This Much Is True, which premieres Sunday night. Make sure you subscribe to the Water Cooler Podcast if you don’t already. As we head into the heart of the 2020 Emmy season, we’ll be featuring more interviews with high-profile Emmy contenders. That includes many cast members from I Know This Much Is True.

So stay safe and enjoy this Water Cooler Podcast exclusive!

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Music from https://filmmusic.io

“Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)

License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)