Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas, and Steven Spielberg are the most influential directors of their generation with iconic films including 'The Godfather,' 'Star Wars: A New Hope,' and 'Jaws.' Their catalog runs deep.   Author Paul Fischer’s book 'The Last Kings of Hollywood: Coppola, Lucas, Spielberg—and the Battle for the Soul of American Cinema' tells the story of how the directors became giants in filmmaking. In the book, Fischer describes each man’s brilliance and shortcomings, presenting a human story behind their abundant talent and prolific output. Fischer tells Elvis the story behind how 'Apocalypse Now' came to Coppola, how a nearly fatal accident set Lucas on a path toward becoming a filmmaker, and how the idea of family informed each director’s approach to filmmaking. Note: This episode originally aired on April 17, 2026  

Oscar-winning actor Tim Robbins wants to be a lifelong student. He has demonstrated that through never repeating a role as actor, his ambitious films as director, and as the founder of the nonprofit theater troupe The Actors’ Gang. His treat is a learning experience as well. Robbins gives an appreciation of what he learned nature can provide with just a few ingredients.  

Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali knows how to say a lot through his characters, even those of few words. He has been rewarded for his soulful performances with two Best Supporting Actor Oscars for his roles in 'Moonlight' (2016) and 'The Green Book' (2018) and has been nominated for Emmys for roles in several series including Ramy and House of Cards.  His latest role is as the deeply religious hitman Latif in the crime drama 'Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother.' Following the death of his wife, Latif embarks on a journey to protect his children as forces around him threaten his beliefs. Ali talks to Elvis about Latif's difficulty communicating with his family, Latif’s struggle between the violence he commits and his religious beliefs, and why he thinks the story continues beyond the end credits.  

In the film 'Union County,' director Adam Meeks takes an unflinching and empathetic look at the opioid crisis in rural Ohio. Meeks and his star Will Poulter did a grassroots tour of independent theaters in that state around the film’s release. For his treat, Meeks makes an impassioned plea for independent cinema that doesn’t fly over the states between the coasts.  

Screenwriter Dustin Lance Black’s work often looks at real people struggling to find their place. He won the Oscar for the 2007 biopic 'Milk' starring Sean Penn as the openly gay activist and politician Harvey Milk. His other projects include the films 'Rustin and J. Edgar,' as well as the limited series 'Under The Banner of Heaven.' His newest project is the four-part docuseries 'Rock Out.' The series looks at the powerful impact the LGBTQ community has had on rock and heavy metal. Black tells Elvis how being an outsider can ultimately be a gift, why he doesn't like his work to feel comfortable, and why this is such a personal project for him.

Writer and professor Elizabeth Stordeur Pryor has grappled with her father Richard Pryor’s legacy through her teaching and her recent book 'Something We Said: Richard Pryor, a Notorious Word, and Me.' For her treat, she celebrates an early comedy special that demonstrated her father’s command of language and the stage.

First time director Adam Meeks’ new film 'Union County' takes on addiction with empathy and hope. The film, which stars actor Will Poulter, who was also a producer on the project, looks at the opioid crisis in rural Ohio through a real-life rehabilitation program that has had promising results. Poulter plays a recovering addict going through the program alongside many non-professional actors who are on their own sobriety journeys. Meeks and Poulter talk to Elvis about documenting real recovery stories, what Poulter's conditions were before taking on the part, and why he often plays characters wrestling with their own pride.  

Sir Christopher Frayling is a film scholar who has written extensively about Italian director Sergio Leone, most notably in the biography Sergio Leone by Himself. For his treat, Frayling reveals the early so-called children’s films he watched that horrified and thrilled him.

Tony-nominated playwright Jeremy O. Harris and director Pete Ohs are frequent collaborators. Ohs worked on a documentary about Harris’ acclaimed and controversial Slave Play, and Harris starred in Ohs’ film The True Beauty of Being Bitten by a Tick. Their latest collaboration is the film Erupcja, starring pop star Charli XCX in a role far removed from her on-stage persona. Erupcja was filmed in Poland without a traditional script, and the actors all brought their own ideas to the project. Ohs and Harris tell Elvis how they got Charli XCX to be in the film, why Ohs likes to work without a script, and the origin of the film's Polish title. Note: This episode originally aired on May 15, 2026  

Actor Edward Norton seemingly reinvents himself with every role he takes on, from his breakout roles as someone who is more than meets the eye in 'Primal Fear' and 'Fight Club' to his take on folk singer Pete Seeger in 'A Complete Unknown' to his most recent role as a sexually adventurous neighbor in 'The Invite.' For his treat, he recommends a jazz album recorded by a friend who doesn’t want to rest on his laurels.