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 twin Odysseys of Christopher Nolan's blockbuster box office and the WBD/Paramount merger. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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