Beyond the Fame with Jason Fraley
by Hosted by Jason Fraley
Host Jason Fraley picks the brains of the most influential filmmakers, musicians and artists of our time in the new podcast “Beyond the Fame with Jason Fraley!” Based in the nation's capital, Jason has interviewed just about every famous figure you can imagine: Aretha Franklin, Carol Burnett, Jon Stewart, Barry Jenkins, Lin-Manuel Miranda, the list is endless! Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. (Royalty-Free Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion")
Episodes
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Election Day with Paula Poundstone
Jason Fraley catches up with comedian Paula Poundstone, who returns to The Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia this Friday and Saturday to perform political comedy near the nation’s capital just days after the midterm elections. (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion")
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Eva Cassidy
Jason Fraley marks the 30th anniversary of Eva Cassidy's untimely death at age 33 on this date in 1996. Jason spoke with Blix Street Records Owner Bill Straw in 2021 about the re-release of Cassidy's album “Live at Blues Alley,” recorded at the legendary jazz supper club in Georgetown just months...
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'The Omen'
Jason Fraley hosts a special Halloween convo with "The Omen" screenwriter David Seltzer to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his 1976 horror classic. He describes working with director Richard Donner, composer Jerry Goldsmith and a killer cast of Gregory Peck, Lee Remick and Harvey Stephens. They...
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Radford Sechrist
Jason Fraley celebrates International Animation Day with Radford Sechrist, who served as a story artist on “Kung Fu Panda 2,” “Madagascar 3” and “How to Train Your Dragon 2” before working on “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” the reigning Oscar champ for Best Animated Feature. They spoke when he gave a...
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Dweezil Zappa
Jason Fraley interviews Frank Zappa's son Dweezil Zappa, who brings his “Like Father Like Son” tour to The Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia on Nov. 1. They spoke when Dweezil previously played The Birchmere in 2016 to raise money for his charity Guitars Not Guns. (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's...
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Freddie Highmore
Jason Fraley celebrates Hitchcocktober by revisiting his 2016 chat with Freddie Highmore, who played young Norman Bates across Vera Farmiga in the A&E series “Bates Motel." They discuss the thrill of creating a hit prequel to Alfred Hitchcock's iconic 1960 horror masterpiece "Psycho." (Theme…
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Kelli O'Hara (Part 2)
Jason Fraley interviews Broadway icon Kelli O'Hara as her Tony-winning Broadway show “Fallen Angels” hits the big screen tomorrow in movie theaters nationwide. She called in to rave about co-star Rose Byrne and explain why Noël Coward’s play still rocks in 2026. (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's...
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Ann Hornaday
Jason Fraley mourns the loss of longtime Washington Post film critic Ann Hornaday, dead at age 66. Ann joined Jason in studio to discuss the release of her 2017 book "Talking Pictures: How to Watch Movies," so we're replaying that extended conversation in tribute to one of the greatest film…
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Rodrigo y Gabriela
Jason Fraley interviews Rodrigo Sanchez of the Grammy-winning guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela, which rocks The Anthem in Washington D.C. tomorrow night. They preview the show and chronicle the duo’s journey from Mexico to Ireland to Japan where they recorded their latest album "Our Home" in honor…
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Rita Moreno (Part 2)
Jason Fraley celebrates the 65th anniversary of the iconic movie musical “West Side Story" by flashing back to his convo with the legendary Rita Moreno from her “Profiles in Creativity” event at the Kennedy Center in 2017. They chronicle her journey from Puerto Rico to New York to eventually star...
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'Willy Wonka'
Jason Fraley chats with the original cast of the 1971 film "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" as Peter Ostrum (Charlie Bucket), Julie Dawn Cole (Veruca Salt), Paris Themmen (Mike Teavee) and Rusty Goffe (Oompa Loompa) reunite for The Chocolate Expo at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in...
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The Moody Blues (Part 2)
Jason Fraley celebrates the 80th birthday of The Moody Blues frontman Justin Hayward, who was born on this date in 1946. The progressive rock genius called in to promote his show at The Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia in 2018, just months after band’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of…
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Chuck Todd
Jason Fraley welcomes Chuck Todd to predict the midterm elections where a potential “blue wave” might be fueled by a “red undertow.” They also riff on the state of journalism, the history of the news business, and Todd's own career highlights, culminating with hosting NBC’s “Meet the Press" and…
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'Phantom of the Opera'
Jason Fraley celebrates the 40th anniversary of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera,” which made its world premiere on the West End in London on this date in 1986 before setting the record as the longest-running show in Broadway history with nearly 14,000 performances. Jason spoke…
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Lewis Black (Part 4)
Jason Fraley interviews comedian Lewis Black, who cracks up the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore, Maryland this Saturday, Oct. 10. They spoke when Black previously performed at the Warner Theatre in Washington D.C. in 2018. (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion")
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Margaret Cho
Jason Fraley interviews comedian Margaret Cho, who cracks up the Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races in West Virginia this Saturday. She reflects on her career and current events, explaining how she would run her own country under a system she calls “The Choligarchy.” (Theme Music: Scott...
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James Caverly
Jason Fraley celebrates the 5th anniversary of "Only Murders in the Building" airing its Season 1 episode "The Boy from 6B," which earned Nathan Lane an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series as murder suspect Teddy Dimas, swapping sign-language clues with deaf son Theo, played by...
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Russell Williams (Part 2)
Jason Fraley wishes a happy 10th birthday to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture, which opened on this date in 2016. He spoke that week with two-time Oscar-winning sound mixer Russell Williams about donating the Academy Awards that he won for “Glory” and “Dances...
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Colin Mochrie (Part 3)
Jason Fraley interviews Colin Mochrie, who reunites with Brad Sherwood of “Whose Line is it Anyway” at Strathmore in North Bethesda, Maryland on Oct. 4. They spoke when Colin visited the Kennedy Center in 2016, reflecting on his favorite improv games from "Scenes from a Hat" to "Greatest Hits"…
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Demián Bichir
Jason Fraley interviews Demián Bichir about Angelina Jolie's new movie "Without Blood," which opens in movie theaters nationwide today. He praises co-star Salma Hayek and breaks down Angelina's directing techniques. He also chronicles his own journey from growing up in Mexico to becoming an Oscar...
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The Cure
Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Lol Tolhurst, founding drummer of The Cure, visits the Crossroads Music Festival at the Tally Ho Theater in Leesburg, Virginia this Saturday.He called in to reflect on his life and career, from growing up in England with his future bandmates to attending a life-changing...
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Corbin Bernsen
Jason Fraley salutes the Emmy dominance of “L.A. Law,” which celebrates its 40th anniversary tomorrow and remains one of only 5 shows to win the top prize 4 times. He spoke about the show's legacy with star Corbin Bernsen when he called in to promote his political rom-com “First Lady” in 2020.…
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William Shatner (Part 3)
Jason Fraley celebrates the 60th birthday of “Star Trek" by revisiting his chat with William Shatner when he visited the Washington Convention Center for Awesome Con in 2015, just months after the death of his co-star Leonard Nimoy a.k.a. Mr. Spock. They discuss the franchise from its humble...
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Nate Smith
Jason Fraley interviews Nate Smith, the reigning Grammy champion of Best Alternative Jazz Album, who headlines the D.C. Jazz Festival (Sept. 2-6). They preview the event and reflect on his journey from Chesapeake, Virginia to worldwide music greatness. (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion")
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John Bradshaw Layfield
Jason Fraley interviews WWE Hall of Famer John “Bradshaw” Layfield who visits the Frederick Keys game today at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium in Frederick, Maryland. Bradshaw also reflects on his career, famously joining Ron Simmons as the tag team The Acolytes, which evolved into the A-P-A,...
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Kathleen Turner (Part 2)
Jason Fraley celebrates the 45th anniversary of the neo-noir classic “Body Heat" by flashing back to his convo with Kathleen Turner for the 2019 Arena Stage Gala in Washington D.C. Turner shares what it was like to work with director Lawrence Kasdan on “Body Heat,” John Huston on “Prizzi’s…
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Corbin Bleu
20 years ago today, Disney Channel’s original “High School Musical” won three Teen Choice Awards, including Best Comedy/Musical Show, so we're flashing back to the time Corbin Bleu stopped by to promote "Anything Goes" at Arena Stage with the high-energy Soara-Joye Ross in 2016. It might just be...
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Musiq Soulchild
Jason Fraley interviews R&B/soul icon Musiq Soulchild, who performs tonight at the historic Warner Theatre in Washington D.C. He called in to preview the show and reflect on his journey to land over a dozen Grammy nominations. Stay tuned until the end to hear all about his love of "Star Wars."...
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Ledisi (Part 2)
Jason Fraley interviews Grammy-winning R&B star Ledisi, who salutes blues legend Dinah Washington at Strathmore in North Bethesda, Maryland this Friday and Saturday. She called in to preview the shows, discuss Dinah's legacy, and reflect on her own career hits like "Pieces of Me” and “Anything…
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Andy Pollin
Jason Fraley chats with sports talk radio legend Andy Pollin, who left the D.C. airwaves this week after nearly 5 decades. Andy generously called in for THREE HOURS to reflect on his career, from pioneering the 24-7 sports talk radio format at WFAN in New York., to chronicling the Dan Snyder era…
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Eli Roth
Jason Fraley interviews horror filmmaker Eli Roth, who delivers his newest scary movie “Ice Cream Man" in theaters nationwide today. He called in to preview the film, discuss some of his inspirations, and explain why it’s even scarier now that he’s become a father. (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's...
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Lewis Black (Part 3)
Jason Fraley marks the 30th anniversary of Lewis Black hosting his very first “Back in Black” segment on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” on July 3, 1996. They spoke when Black brought his “Let Freedom Laugh” tour to Warner Theatre in Washington D.C. in 2015 on a triple bill with the legendary...
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Gillian Anderson
Jason Fraley marks the 20th anniversary of Jeffrey Epstein's first mugshot by revisiting this chat with “X-Files” star Gillian Anderson about her sex-trafficking film “Sold” when it made its D.C. premiere at the Angelika Pop Up at Union Market in 2016. Stay tuned after the interview to hear a...
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Rose Royce
The classic soul, funk and R&B group Rose Royce rocks Bethesda Theater in Bethesda, Maryland this Friday. Founding members Kenny Copeland & Michael Nash join Jason to break down their biggest hits, including “Car Wash,” ”I Wanna Get Next to You,” “I’m Going Down,” “Wishing on a Star” and “Love...
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Gretchen Mol
Gretchen Mol stars in the new heartwarming indie "Horsegirls," which opens in movie theaters today. She called in to preview the film and reflect to her career, from movies like "Rounders" and "Manchester By the Sea" to TV hits like "Boardwalk Empire" and "Tulsa King." (Theme Music: Scott…
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'Making a Murderer'
Jason Fraley marks the 10th anniversary of Netflix's “Making a Murderer” earning six Emmy nominations for chronicling the conviction of Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey in the 2005 murder of Teresa Halbach. Jason examined the docuseries with longtime Washington Post crime reporter Tom Jackman in...
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Lauren Gunderson
Jason Fraley chats with America's most-produced living playwright as tickets go on sale tonight for a free virtual masterclass with Lauren Gunderson. She has topped the list by American Theatre Magazine four times, including the most recent 2025-2026 season. We spoke when she brought her original...
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Auli'i Cravalho (Part 2)
Jason Fraley celebrates today's release of Disney’s live-action “Moana” by flashing back to his chat with the original voice of the animated "Moana." Auli’i Cravalho called in to promote the National Memorial Day Concert in 2017, sharing behind-the-scenes gold about songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda...
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Alex Gibney
Jason Fraley marks the 10th anniversary of Alex Gibney’s acclaimed documentary “Zero Days,” which remains just as timely today in chronicling America’s development of the Stuxnet virus to secretly attack Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Gibney called in to preview the 2016 AFI Docs Film Festival and...
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Lou Diamond Phillips
Jason Fraley interviews Lou Diamond Phillips, star of the new crime drama “Gangland,” which opens in movie theaters and streaming today. He called in to preview the film and reflect on his career, from his breakthrough role in the Ritchie Valens biopic “La Bamba” to his Golden Globe nomination…
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America 250: George Washington
Jason Fraley celebrates the 250th birthday of the United States of America, which was founded on July 4, 1776 with a Declaration of Independence from the British crown. He spoke with author David O. Stewart in 2021 about his biography “George Washington: The Political Rise of America's Founding...
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Christopher Ferguson
Jason Fraley celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum by flashing back to his 2015 chat with astronaut Christopher Ferguson when the museum screened his 3D/IMAX film “Journey to Space," narrated by Patrick Stewart. Ferguson famously commanded the final…
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Kool & The Gang (Part 2)
Jason Fraley chats with Robert "Kool" Bell as Kool & The Gang rocks “A Capitol Fourth” this Friday, July 3rd to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. They break down the band’s biggest hits, including “Jungle Boogie,” “Hollywood Swinging,” “Ladies Night,” “Celebration,” “Get Down On It,” “Fresh”…
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Walter Bobbie & Carmen Cusack
Jason Fraley marks the 10th anniversary of the musical “Bright Star” closing on Broadway in 2016. He sat down with acclaimed director Walter Bobbie and original actress Carmen Cusack backstage at the Kennedy Center when “Bright Star” made its pre-Broadway premiere in Washington D.C. in 2015.…
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Melissa Etheridge (Part 2)
Jason Fraley interviews Grammy and Oscar winner Melissa Etheridge, who rocks Wolf Trap tomorrow night, sharing a bill with Wynonna Judd & Maggie Rose. They spoke during her previous visit to Virginia when she played The Birchmere in Alexandria in 2018. (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion")
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DeNeen Brown
Jason Fraley celebrates Juneteeth by flashing back to his conversation with DeNeen Brown, narrator of Dawn Porter's powerful documentary “Rise Again: Tulsa and the Red Summer,” which premiered on National Geographic in 2021 for the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. (Theme…
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Eileen Collins
Jason Fraley marks Flag Day by honoring a real American hero in NASA astronaut Eileen Collins, who made history as both the first woman to pilot a space shuttle and the first woman to command a space shuttle mission. They discuss her new documentary “Spacewoman,” now streaming on Apple, Amazon,...
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Thomas Kail
Jason Fraley celebrates the 10th anniversary of "Hamilton" sweeping the Tony Awards by flashing back to a trio of chats with Director Thomas Kail. First, you'll hear their 2016 phone interview about growing up in Alexandria, Virginia. You'll then hear them at the 2016 Records of Achievement…
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Ken Davenport
Jason Fraley previews tonight's Tony Awards by chatting with Ken Davenport, one of the producers of Broadway's “Titanique,” which competes for the top prize of Best Musical. Ken knows a thing or two about the Tonys, having previously won for “Kinky Boots” and “Once On This Island.” (Theme Music:...
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Valerie Simpson
Jason Fraley marks the 10th anniversary of the Kennedy Center's Spring Gala tribute to Marvin Gaye. Jason spoke with several of the performers backstage before the show, including Valerie Simpson, Babybace, BJ The Chicago Kid, and Leslie Odom Jr. (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion")
About this show
Host Jason Fraley picks the brains of the most influential filmmakers, musicians and artists of our time in the new podcast “Beyond the Fame with Jason Fraley!” Based in the nation's capital, Jason has interviewed just about every famous figure you can imagine: Aretha Franklin, Carol Burnett, Jon Stewart, Barry Jenkins, Lin-Manuel Miranda, the list is endless! Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. (Royalty-Free Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion")
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Hosted by Jason Fraley
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