Granted, I’ve only listened to the Tim McGraw / Faith Hill interview because I LOVED 1883. The host does not listen well, asking Tim repeatedly about Season 2 and about Broadway, after Tim has already answered the questions. Tim was very nice about it, but I lost patience. And then the host obnoxiously fixates on how badly they must have smelled while shooting the show, with both of them. I crave depth. If you’re gonna keep it light, like Graham Norton, then be funny. This host did neither. And makes me never want to listen to another one of his interviews. If you want to hear an ace professional interviewer who’s also very human and strikes a compelling rhythm with his guests, check out THR’s Scott Feinberg. He is world class. The only reason I’m giving this 2 stars is because of the quality of guests.

...ever not mention his husband? LOL Seriously, though, this competent celebrity journalism. If I’m interested in the guest I tune in.

The Big Ticket has been one of my favorite series to listen to during the pandemic. Marc’s childlike wonder and genuine interest in each of the interviewees is wonderful. Thanks for spreading a little positivity.

Great guests but two problems: sometimes can’t hear the interviewer’s questions OR the interviewer is too loud and can’t hear guest’s responses . Also, and this is a bit snarky, but Interviewer also sounds so much like The Cookie Monster from Sesame Street that at first I thought he was doing an impression and then I realized it’s his regular voice. Fix the sound quality and I’ll start listening again.

The new host of this show seems more interested in tabloid-bait questions (“which avenger was a stripper?”) than actual thoughtful questions. Additionally, he has a quieter voice which alone is fine, but get the man a microphone that will pick up his voice! I had been ok with ignoring this new, extremely subpar show until I started seeing comments that this may have replaced Kris Tapley’s excellent show, which was one of my favorites. Where is Kris Tapley???

Playback with Kris Tapley was amazing. Whatever this is.....isn’t.

This is supposedly a professional podcast with an industry view. Yet that’s no longer the case with the new host. See that good rating? (4 stars at the time of my review). That’s due to the previous host. If you look at the recent reviews, you will see this podcast rates 1-2 stars at best. Marc conducts his interviews like a prepubescent fanboy. He was infatuated with the thought of Ant Man crawling in Thanos’ anus, he resorts to repetitive questions for his guests in his first 3 episodes, and cannot stop giggling. I gave this podcast another shot with the 2 John Wick interviews. Marc again repeats the same exact questions over the 2 interviews interspersed with squealing giggles. And he ruins John Wick 3 by asking one of the two interviewees if they are coming back for a sequel. Sad to see what has become of the Playback.

Would have loved to listen to the rest of the Keanu episode but turned it off after a spoiler in the first 5 min

I loved Kris Tapley's podcasts. His in-depth knowledge and questions for his guests were a film lovers dream. Marc Malkin who seems to have replaced Kris Tapley is an enormous let down. His star struck childish giggling, his tabloid superficial repetitive questions are a wasted opportunity to get some real information from the talent he nterviews. Unbearable. Please bring Kris Tapley back!!!!!!!!

Malkin is a good host I enjoy his interviews and can’t wait for more!

Playback had: a professional host with real opinions and sometimes challenging questions for guests; interesting interviews with filmmakers that spotlighted sometimes mostly-ignored movies; amazing, funky theme music. Big Ticket has: a host with intolerable giggling that asks weak surface-level questions; so far almost entirely comic book movie guests (which I like, but that’s not all there is in filmworld); the most generic pre-trailers sunshiney theme music; and god-awful “Gold Bond Powder” AM radio style commercials. What the hell happened to Kris Tapley and the quality of this podcast?! Marc, step up your game, buddy, because you are thus far not filling those shoes.

Nothing personal, I just want to have Kris Tapley back or at least a reason for the change.

Nothing personal to Malkin just stating my belief

If you can’t bring Tapley back, then y’all need get this new interviewer to stop asking STUPID QUESTIONS! Scarlett Johansson is a grown woman who’s been acting for 15-20 years and he’s going to ask her a childish, immature question about having sex with the Hulk?! How old is this spaz?! How dare he ask a stupid question like that?! If this new interviewer can’t ask legitimate questions like Tapley, either find a new host, or I’m unsubscribing. This is ridiculous! RESPECT WOMEN, STUPID!

It’s only the first episode with the new host/format, but the first Endgame conversations feels much more guarded and commercial than past Playback episodes. This feels much more like sponsored content that I access at arm’s length as opposed to the intimate conversations that would make me feel like I was in the room. I place this more so on the host than the interviewee.

I listened to multiple episodes & really enjoyed hearing the interviews as well as the awards conversations that happened in earlier episodes. All of that enjoyment ended when I went back & listened to the episode where they discussed the then upcoming release of the film Birth of a Nation. Not only did they slide right past the rape accusations of the director and main star, referring to it in passing as a “controversy”, they then went on to discuss the film’s Oscar hopes & box office prospects, insisting that people should go ahead & see the movie despite the fact the 2 writers of the story raped a woman that eventually committed suicide. First of all, I hope all the pretend progressive white critics that fawned over Birth of a Nation have seen the overwhelmingly negative response to the film from African Americans & have realized that all the crawling all over themselves they did to praise the film in an effort to prove their wokeness was not only completely ridiculous, but also now serves as a running joke in black film critic circles. Secondly, are Hollywood critics really this out of touch? I’m sure in the wake of the Metoo movement & kavanaugh hearings these “liberal” writers all present themselves as allies to women that have been assaulted, but people like Kris Tapley, who not only embraced but PRAISED an accused rapist simply because he decided to go to bat for a film that was eventually universally panned, & because he thought doing so would make him seem less racist, have really proven that the men in Hollywood truly don’t care about women, and it takes an entire global movement of women standing up & speaking out for them to realize “hey, maybe a women’s worth, dignity & humanity really do matter more than the art of filmmaking.” Pathetic.

I stumbled upon this podcast after the Jonah Hill episode was released. I think I was linked here from Twitter. After I listened to the great conversation lead by great questions from Kris Tapley, I went and download all of the past episodes. This podcast should be way more popular than it is. Kris is the film journalist for the filmmaker. He clearly understands the filmmaker and the process, and appreciates it. He loves it. It's very evident in the topics he chooses to bring up in the interview. While A LOT of film critics and journalist tend to harp on the negative for a sound bite, or some film critics constantaly gripe on the storyline of a film as if that is the ONLY element of filmmaking that matters. Mr. Tapley dives into discussions about shooting, editing, music, and all other parts of the filmmaking craft that make the movie going experience such a treasued passtime for the fellow cinefile. His guests seem to be very relaxed during the conversations. If you want a podcast that celebrates the cast & crew of film as much as it explores the critical topics that are necessary and current, subscribe immediately to PLAYBACK. The other day I drove around Los Angeles looking at movie billboards for half the day while listening to these conversations. It really was a great day in the LA LA Land of filmmaking. Thanks Kris! Keep up the great work!

After seeing Blackkklansman made me curious to learn more about the cast. Fantastic find. Keep up the great work—and thanks!

Is a wet blanket personified.

The interviews are solid. Kris does a nice job of getting them relaxed and talking honestly about their work. His questions could be more challenging and focused, and better-prepared, but the interviews are interesting, nonetheless. When the hosts start talking about the Oscars it’s almost embarrassing how little they know about the whole thing. They are also a bit obnoxious about the movies they’re “stan”ning for.

I’d give it 5 stars if the audio levels were paid attention to. Kris is a great interviewer and has a very laid back sense about him.

In light of the womens movement sweeping Hollywood and culture at large, I am extremely disappointed to see that out of the 60 or so podcasts listed, less than 10 are with women. Bummer. Especially since it is hosted by a woman.Just another example of how our culture is still overwhelmingly dominated by men.

I enjoy these talks between artists discussing their projects, career, and other artists. All spearheaded by knowledgeable & passionate artists at Variety.

This is hands down one of the most professional interview podcasts that covers filmmakers and the like in Hollywood. Smart, insightful, and very entertaining stuff.

I only listen to episodes with guests I'm interested in, but the ones I've listened to I've enjoyed. Overall, a solid podcast.