The Parting Shot with H. Alan Scott

Crystal Methyd just became the first Drag Race winner out of Missouri, and she is not slowing down. She sits down with Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott to unpack her All Stars run, why she waited to return after a pandemic-era original season, and the tour she just announced: the Enchanted Forest Tour, a full stage production with dancers, puppets and chaos hitting the road soon. Then runner-up Joey Jay talks through one of the wildest arcs the franchise has ever produced: eliminated in the third bracket, brought back for the final round, then storming all the way to the top two. Joey gets honest about playing the game on RuPaul's orders, taking improv classes to sharpen the comedy, and why drag is camp first and glory second. Two friends, two very different paths to the finale, one very good conversation. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

 In the 1970s, Tony Powell was a star defender for Norwich City. Then he vanished. Decades later, filmmakers Ramiel Petros and Nicholas Freeman found him living as the manager and sole resident of a fading West Hollywood motel, a gay man who walked away from everything at the height of his career rather than live a lie. Petros and Freeman join H. Alan to discuss their documentary 'The Last Guest of the Holloway Motel,' how a chance encounter on Santa Monica Boulevard became their directorial debut, why Tony's story matters now and his hope that it inspires other athletes to come out. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscottSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Golf has never been the loudest sport, but Netflix's The Hawk is making the case that it should be. Will Ferrell stars as Lonnie Hawkins, a pro golfer chasing the fame he had at his 2004 peak, complete with a signature drink, a colorful camper and outfits that could stop traffic on the back nine. In this two-part conversation, Ferrell and Molly Shannon, reuniting on screen for the first time since Talladega Nights, tell me why golf is such an infuriating game and what makes Lonnie so fun to play. Then Luke Wilson, Jimmy Tatro and Fortune Feimster join to debate whether golf is actually boring, share stories from the course and explain why Lonnie is the kind of guy you root for. The Hawk is streaming now on Netflix. Watch the full conversation on YouTube for more from the cast of the year's funniest new sports comedy. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscottSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Reality TV is having a moment and Gibson Johns is here to break it all down. The podcast host and pop culture expert joins Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott to unpack the Zach and Bryce bromance that took over Love Island USA this season, a friendship so beloved it arguably outshined every actual couple in the villa. Then it's on to Summer House, which just landed its first ever Emmy nomination after a season of scandal that gripped the Bravoverse. And finally, the two celebrate 20 years of The Real Housewives, a franchise so dominant it just spawned an entirely new show, The Golden Life, reuniting the RHONY legends in Palm Beach. Grab a martini glass. She's startin'. Follow Gibson Johns at https://www.instagram.com/gibsonomaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott sits down with Julie Klausner to talk New York's chaotic summer, the meaning of "cool" across generations and why Hulu’s Difficult People is finally getting a physical release on Blu-ray. They dig into chosen family on screen, from The Golden Girls to Will & Grace, and how friendship, not romance, has always been Julie's favorite story to tell. Julie reflects on the show's legacy, the shift from peak TV to algorithm-driven content and why she still believes in creating for its own sake. As she puts it, "my obligation as an artist" is "to make things and connect with people." Subscribe to the For the Culture newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow @HAlanScott: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Comedian Anna Roisman joins me for a packed episode covering the biggest stories in pop culture right now. First, the Emmy race for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, which is already a two-woman fight: Lisa Kudrow for The Comeback and Jean Smart for Hacks. Nobody is debating whether they get nominated, only who takes it home.  Then, a win for movie-loving millennials. Mike Myers is returning as Austin Powers, and Jim Carrey is coming back as the Grinch with director Ron Howard. We get into why millennial nostalgia keeps working at the box office, and why more of both feels less like a cash grab and more like a gift. Finally, Madonna. Her shelved biopic wasn't exactly a ray of light for Universal, but she has turned it into a holiday for Apple TV on the next season of The Studio.  Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It is America's 250th birthday and what better way to celebrate than talking George Washington. Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott sits down with William Franklyn-Miller, the British actor stepping into his first leading role as a 21-year-old Washington in the new film Young Washington. They get into the irony of a Brit playing the father of our nation, the wooden teeth he thankfully dodged and what we still do not know about our first president. Plus bonus chats with director Jon Erwin, Kelsey Grammer and Sir Ben Kingsley (yes, you have to say Sir). Then head to Newsweek.com for H. Alan's list of the 10 best presidential performances in film and TV. Now go eat a hot dog. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscottSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tristan Schukraft is one of the most influential figures in queer life right now, and chances are you already know his work. He's the founder of MISTR, the free online platform that has become the largest prescriber of PrEP in the U.S., representing 20% of all prescriptions nationwide. He's the owner of the Abbey, the legendary West Hollywood gay bar in Los Angeles. And he's the man behind Tryst Hotels, a growing collection of boutique properties built specifically for queer travelers, with locations open and in development from Puerto Vallarta to Provincetown to Rio de Janeiro. This week, Newsweek's H. Alan Scott sits down with Schukraft to talk about why he started MISTR, how it works for both insured and uninsured patients, and why eliminating new HIV infections in the U.S. is closer to reality than most people realize. They also get into the Sister platform, National PrEP Day with Cardi B, bringing the Real Housewives to Capitol Hill and what it actually takes to preserve queer institutions at a moment when so many are disappearing. Plus, Schukraft opens up about his six boyfriends, his Razor scooter hustle and why he built his dream hotel after one too many mojitos on a Puerto Rican beach. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscottSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Zoey Deutch and Nick Robinson join us to talk about their new Netflix film Voicemails for Isabelle, a rom-com about grief, love and the most tech-friendly meet-cute in film history. They break down with Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott why Netflix has become the new home for the romantic comedy, what it's like to film a rain scene in actual rain and why, despite starring in a movie about voicemails, neither of them can stand getting one. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscottSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Three conversations, one big picture. Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott is talking rom-com representation with comedian Naomi Ekperigan, making the argument for an unapologetic Office reboot with Newsweek Senior Reporter Lauren Giella, and trying to figure out exactly how Tom Holland accidentally confirmed his own wedding to the entire internet. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscottSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brooke Shields isn't just the star of Acorn TV's new cozy mystery series You're Killing Me. She's the engine behind it. As both lead actress and executive producer, Shields plays Allie, a bestselling novelist in a quaint New England town who teams up with a young writer and podcaster to solve murders in their community. "I had something to say about everything," she tells Newsweek, from casting and dialog to the DP fighting for closeups on an emotional scene. The show became a hit and was renewed for a second season. It also arrives at a pivotal moment in Shields' public life. Since the 2023 documentary Pretty Baby reframed the conversation around her early career and the sexualization of young women in Hollywood, she's operated with a new confidence. "My proactivity has been met with much more opportunity," she says. "It's amazing what happens if you just ask for it."See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Geena Davis is redefining what it means to age on your own terms. Steven Spielberg is reminding everyone why his name above the title is enough. And Justin Trudeau just became one half of the summer's most talked-about couples with Katy Perry. Because if it's the conversation everyone's having, it's for the culture. Newsweek's H. Alan Scott and Senior Reporter Lauren Giella break down the biggest cultural moments of the week: from The Boroughs to Disclosure Day to the Trudeau-Perry red carpet debut that had everyone talking. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ginger Minj and Jujubee stop by to talk about their new film Stop! That! Train!, the World of Wonder and Bleecker Street comedy that casts them as the leads of a drag-fueled disaster movie parody. They get into what it was like carrying a film for the first time, working alongside RuPaul as a colleague rather than a judge, and why Adam Shankman told them to play it completely straight. Plus: JuJu's most challenging line read, the skirt that never came back and why you need to see this one in a theater. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscottSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

 Kristen Kish has had one of the most exciting years in food television, and she's not slowing down. The ‘Top Chef’ host sat down with Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott to talk about what makes the long-running competition series still feel so fresh, why there's no higher drama than watching world-class chefs compete and how the show authentically celebrates diversity in food and people. She also opens up about competing on ‘Traitors,’ her book ‘Accidentally on Purpose’ and how battling deep insecurity before ‘Top Chef’ season 10, which she won, led her to finding her purpose. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With The Comeback's 20-year journey now complete, Laura Silverman joined Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott to reflect on what it meant to play Jane, the documentarian who became the audience's eyes and ears into Valerie Cherish's world. Silverman opens up about her bond with Lisa Kudrow, what it was like to act with her every single day and how she found her way into a character that was never overanalyzed, just felt. Plus, the story behind that final scene — and why neither she nor Kudrow could get through it. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Andrew Scott sat down with Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott to talk ‘Pressure,’ the WWII film where he plays James Stagg, the meteorologist who convinced Eisenhower to delay D-Day. We talk about his approach to complicated characters, why he's never interested in being liked on screen, his career and the kinds of projects he can't say no to. Plus he defends British people and their weather obsession and honestly? He's not wrong. And yes, the question was asked about his appearance on the final season of ‘The Comeback.’ Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oscar-winner Allison Janney, Andrew Rannells and writer-director Jim Rash sit down with Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott to talk about HBO's ‘Miss You, Love You,’ a dark comedy about grief, estrangement and the unlikely bond between two strangers at a funeral. Janney and Rannells break down how they prepared for the role, why they memorized the entire script before day one and what made this one of the most satisfying projects of their careers. Rash opens up about the personal loss that inspired the story and the delicate balance of making audiences laugh and cry at the same time. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Writer and producer Our Lady J, also known as Yona Speidel, talks The Burroughs, queer storytelling, career pivots and why she's done chasing one lane. This is a great chat if you’ve ever been interested in pursuing a career in the entertainment industry.  Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Judith Light talks The Terror: Devil in Silver on AMC+/Shudder, career reinvention and why there's nothing to get in life — only what you can give. If you grew up with her on Who’s the Boss? or were moved by her performance in Transparent, then this chat is for you.  Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Luke Gulbranson went from Summer House to the campaign trail. Now he's running for Congress in Minnesota and making his case. "Congress doesn't work for the people. It works for the party, it works for the president, it works with private and special interests. I'm sick of it,” Gulbranson told Newsweek.  Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscottSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey on World of Wonder, Stop! That! Train! and why RuPaul was born to lead a disaster movie. In a media landscape that Bailey describes as its own disaster movie, "tectonic, seismic change" and all, Stop! That! Train! is their answer: an hour and a half of joyful, unapologetic stupidity at a moment when joy feels like its own act of resistance. "There is power in that," Barbato said. "It's a reason to leave the house for crying out loud." Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Director Adam Shankman on Stop! That! Train!, bringing comedy back to theaters and why stupidity is exactly what we need. "I hope I did my part to drag that into our current time," he told Newsweek. "It's unapologetically queer, but I made it for everybody." Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscottSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Will Sharpe has been on a roll since White Lotus, and now he's taking on one of fiction's most iconic roles — Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in the Starz original series ‘Amadeus.’ Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott chats with Sharpe about keeping Mozart grounded, the chemistry with co-star Paul Bettany and what it's like to navigate a career that just keeps getting bigger. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscottSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tony and Emmy winner Laurie Metcalf reflects on her remarkable Broadway season, Death of a Salesman, co-star Nathan Lane and the enduring legacy of Roseanne’s Aunt Jackie. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sally Field opens up about playing Tova in Netflix's Remarkably Bright Creatures, based on the bestselling book—a story about loneliness, loss and an unlikely bond with an octopus. (Yes, an octopus.) “It has always been hard for me to find roles that I wanted to do, even in supposedly the prime of my motion picture career,” Field told Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Michelle Pfeiffer and Nick Offerman talk Apple TV’s Margo's Got Money Troubles, working with David E. Kelley and that infamous Catwoman Oscars snub for Batman Returns. (She was robbed!) This is one you’re not going to want to miss.  Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Richard Gadd follows Baby Reindeer with Half Man, an HBO limited series about two repressed ‘brothers’ in Glasgow. “I came up with the two characters ,and I couldn't shake them.” Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscottSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica Vosk on stepping into Bette Midler's legacy with the Broadway musical ‘Beaches’ and why she's not your typical Broadway girl. "There's a lot of C.C. [Bloom] in Jessica," Vosk said. "A person who is so focused, blinders on, true grit, willing to just crawl through the mud by yourself to get to where you want to go. I also base a lot of my life on self-deprecating comedy. I'm gonna make fun of myself before you get a chance to. And that's a very C.C. Bloom thing." Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Before Friday's MTV finale, the top three queens of RuPaul's Drag Race season 18 join H. Alan Scott to reflect on their path to the crown. Darlene Mitchell, Nini Coco and Myki Meeks talk about Snatch Game wins, lip sync battles, the now-iconic banana bag of tricks and the sensible shoes that became a season-long talking point. They open up about the friendships forged in the workroom, the breakout moments that surprised even them and what they each hope to do with the title if they win. Plus, the queens get candid about drag's role in a chaotic political moment, why joy matters and why, as Nini puts it, we should never fully disconnect drag from the world around us. A funny, warm and thoughtful conversation with three queens about to step into their spotlight. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lisa Rinna has made a career out of saying yes, and it's working. The actress, author and reality television icon joins us to talk about her New York Times bestselling memoir, ‘You Better Believe I'm Gonna Talk About It,’ her reinvention on ‘The Traitors,’ why COVID dance videos changed everything, and how she knew it was time to walk away from ‘Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.’ Plus: what's next. Spoiler, she's open. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Billy Magnussen has spent the past twenty years adding diverse roles to his resume, and ‘The Audacity’ is emblematic of an actor coming into his own. Magnussen joins H. Alan Scott to talk about playing tech CEO Duncan Park in AMC's buzzy new series: why no character is a villain in their own story, how he built a man whose good intentions curdled into greed, and what it feels like to finally be number one on a TV call sheet. The fear hasn't gone away, and he's counting on it making him better.  Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What’s going on with reality TV? Why is it so... bad right now? Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott is joined by Newsweek colleagues (and reality TV fanatics) Jenni Fink and Lauren Giella to break down the state of reality television. From oversaturation and the YouTube disruption to the kumbaya effect killing our favorite franchises, they get into why reality TV is at a turning point and what it's going to take to save it. Also: a personal plea for Lisa Rinna. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, the internet handed conservatives two gifts wrapped in irony, and they opened both boxes with a press release and a cease-and-desist threat that didn't even exist. Druski's two-minute sketch about "conservative women" racked up over 160 million views on X alone — and the right responded with outrage instead of self-awareness. Then the Daily Mail dropped a report claiming Kristi Noem's husband Bryon leads a secret double life that includes wearing fake breasts and chatting with fetish models online — and again, the response was pearl-clutching rather than perspective. Both moments had the DNA of great satire. Both moments were real. So why can't conservatives laugh? I'm joined by Newsweek Politics and Culture editor Carlo Versano to talk about what happens when the joke is about you and you refuse to get it — and whether the inability to take a punch might be one of the right's biggest political liabilities right now. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

CBS News journalist David Begnaud has spent decades telling other people's stories. Now he's building something of his own. Begnaud joins the Parting Shot Podcast to talk about launching Do Good Crew, his new media company anchored by the podcast The Person Who Believed in Me, which has already featured Oprah Winfrey, Barry Diller and Ava DuVernay. He breaks down how he landed Oprah as his debut guest, what it took to get Barry Diller to say yes at a cocktail party and why he believes emotion is not the enemy of good journalism. It's an honest, wide-open conversation about storytelling, identity and what it means to finally do the work on your own terms. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Riz Ahmed wants to make "category killers" — and ‘Bait,’ his new Prime Video series about a London actor faking a James Bond audition, is exactly that. He sits down with Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott to talk about the show's wild tonal range, why being brown in the West can feel like living in a spy thriller, and whether ‘Bait’ is, as he puts it, his James Bond audition. Not saying it is, not saying it isn't. Watch our chat: https://www.newsweek.com/entertainment/is-riz-ahmeds-bait-not-so-subtle-james-bond-audition-maybe-11743633 Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Comeback is back, and Michael Patrick King is here to talk about it. The co-creator and director joins Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott to break down how he and Lisa Kudrow arrived at the idea of Valerie Cherish being cast in the first sitcom written by AI, what it means to finally see Valerie in the real world without cameras, and why they only return to the show when there's a seismic cultural shift worth exploring. He also gets into the origin of his creative partnership with Lisa, what makes her performance genuinely one of a kind, and why, after 21 years, this feels like the right moment to say goodbye to Valerie Cherish. Spoiler: it's a party, and you're invited. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dan Bucatinsky has been in Valerie Cherish's corner since the very beginning, and he's here to make the case for why she's always been a heroine, not a punchline. The actor and producer behind Billy, Valerie’s manager, joins Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott to talk about what makes this final season of The Comeback so emotionally satisfying, how the show manages to tackle AI without an agenda, and what it really means that Valerie is finally going head-to-head with the one person who knows her best. He also opens up about his decades-long creative partnership with Lisa Kudrow, the beautiful way season three honors the legacy of Robert Michael Morris (Mickey), and why, even as the cameras stop rolling on Valerie Cherish, he's not entirely ready to call it goodbye. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

She's back, and she needs to be heard. Lisa Kudrow joins the Newsweek's H. Alan Scott to talk about The Comeback season three, the one we didn't know we were waiting for but absolutely needed. We get into an evolved Valerie Cherish navigating AI, a gut-punch tribute to Robert Michael Morris and what it means that Val is suddenly the one in the room who has it most together. As Kudrow puts it, "everybody is in that place that Val was 20 years ago"—and she's not wrong. Plus: that ‘Friends’ moment, and why Stage 24 will finally have its hit TV show. This one is heartfelt, funny and essential listening for any fan of the show. Read the feature: https://www.newsweek.com/entertainment/the-comeback-returns-lisa-kudrow-on-why-valerie-was-always-right-11687203 Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

South by Southwest is celebrating its 40th anniversary, and it looks different than it ever has. Greg Rosenbaum, the festival's head of programming, joins me to talk about the creative reset forced by the demolition of the Austin Convention Center, the new neighborhood clubhouse model that's embedding communities throughout the city, and what it actually means to run all of SXSW simultaneously for the first time. Plus, the story of how the Daniels went from screening music videos at SXSW in 2012 to sweeping the Oscars with Everything Everywhere All at Once, and what that journey says about what the festival has always been trying to do. Newsweek will be at SXSW this year, covering it all. In fact, I'll be on stage with Jamie Lee Curtis on March 14 for what is sure to be a conversation worth the trip alone. Also, Newsweek’s Editor-In-Chief Jennifer Cunningham will be there on March 16 for the panel on the future of news. If you see us there, make sure to say hi. And make sure you watch this space and subscribe to my newsletter for all the latest.  Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Outlander audience is massive, and I learned that firsthand when I chatted with Caitríona Balfe, who plays Claire in the beloved, long-running Starz series. The response to that conversation, and to the show itself, was overwhelming. So I started wondering: who is the person who truly understands this fandom from the inside out? Turns out, she exists, and her name is Reshma Gopaldas. Reshma is a writer and podcaster who has been covering Outlander for years. If you haven't read her interviews with Caitríona and Sam Heughan in Vogue, do yourself a favor and click the link below. She joined me to talk about the series, its fandom and why the show connects with people in such a singular way. With the final season coming to Starz, there's no better time to listen. Listen to my chat with Caitríona Balfe: https://www.newsweek.com/entertainment/outlanders-caitriona-balfe-bids-farewell-a-quarter-of-our-lives-11537618 Follow Reshma on Substack: https://substack.com/@reshmago Follow Reshma on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReshmaGo Read her Vogue feature: https://www.vogue.com/article/caitriona-balfe-sam-heughan-outlander-season-8-interview Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Some stories don't have clean endings. A.J. Daulerio published Hulk Hogan's sex tape, watched Gawker collapse under the weight of a $140 million lawsuit, and spent years wondering if he'd ever work again. He was somewhere between 90 and 100 days sober when he sat in that courtroom. He didn't know yet that all of it, the public humiliation, the professional exile, the long uncomfortable crawl back to himself, would eventually become the foundation for something genuinely good. Daulerio joined me to talk about that journey. We got into the Hulk Hogan trial, what sobriety actually looks like a decade in, and how The Small Bow podcast became a community for people who needed somewhere to land. He also talks about writing Hogan a letter in 2018 without telling his lawyers. It's a conversation worth sitting with. Visit thesmallbow.com to listen and watch the podcast.  Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I love weird. I especially love weird when it incorporates my favorite moments in pop culture. So when I recently saw Linus Karp and Joseph Martin's live show "Gwyneth Goes Skiing," a sort of musical retelling of Gwyneth Paltrow's 2023 ski crash trial, I knew I needed to chat with them. Turns out Karp and Martin are a pop culture nerd's favorite duo, because they've done tons of shows that scratch that weird, nostalgic itch: shows like "Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story," about Princess Diana, and "Fit Prince," a spoof on Hallmark made-for-TV movies. I chatted with this comedy duo and couple about pop culture, where they come up with ideas for their shows, and whether Paltrow herself has ever come to see it. For more on their work, follow their production company: https://www.instagram.com/awkwardprods For their live shows, visit https://linktr.ee/awkwardprods Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jenna Lewis-Dougherty and Kyle Fraser join Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott to break down their Survivor 50 exits, shocking game moves and who they're rooting for to win it all. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tom Ellis is ready for his next chapter. The actor talks CBS’ CIA, the new Dick Wolf drama he couldn't turn down. It’s a character who won't be naked like Lucifer but could still “put you on the floor with one move.” Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gabriel Basso is back as Peter Sutherland in season three of Netflix’s The Night Agent, and he's thinking big. "Relatability breeds success and success kills relatability.” It's a juxtaposition that shapes both his character and his outlook on his career. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Caitriona Balfe reflects on the final season of the STARZ epic historical drama Outlander, bidding farewell to Claire, and to Sam Heughan’s Jamie Fraser after spending a “quarter of our lives” on the show.   Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Daniel Radcliffe on starring with Tracy Morgan in The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, his Broadway journey and Harry Potter: “I love that people love those movies.” Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Stephanie and Ashley from Plus Size Park Hoppers join Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott to discuss how their viral Instagram and TikTok accounts help plus-size Disney fans navigate theme parks with confidence. "We've all had those experiences where we go to get on a ride and we aren't able to fit and it doesn't feel good," Stephanie shares. The duo opens up about handling online hate, the loneliness epidemic driving parasocial relationships, and defending Disney adults. "Walt did not build Disney World for children," Ashley notes. "The whole message behind it was so adults can go and feel like children again." They also discuss Universal's restrictive policies and their mission to show that "you don't have to wait until you fit a certain mold to go enjoy yourself." Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Molly Sims joins Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott to talk about building YSE Beauty from the ground up. The model-turned-entrepreneur opens up about her skin struggles after having her first baby at 41, why she started formulating products in her basement, and how she refused to slap her famous name on the brand. Sims discusses the nerve-wracking pitch to get into Sephora, raising $15 million in six and a half weeks, and creating clinical skincare specifically for the 35-plus woman who felt forgotten by the beauty industry. She also shares why her eye cream became the number two bestseller at Sephora and her philosophy on product development. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Real Housewives of Potomac’s Candiace Dillard Bassett came to play when she walked into the The Traitors castle. After her shocking banishment, she quickly became a fan favorite. The reality star, who has dedicated “almost my entire third decade of life to reality television,” found herself at the center of controversy after voting for fellow traitor Robert Rausch, a move that many believe put a target on her back. However, Candiace stands firm in her decision, calling it “a very strategic move that I do not regret.” She explains that after watching Rob betray Lisa Rinna, another traitor, despite promising he wouldn't, she had no choice but to act. “If you are standing next to someone who has said to you, 'I'm sorry, I won't do this again,' and then they go do it again with glee in their heart, what else are you to think? You're coming for me next.” Despite her exit, Candiace isn't done playing the game, reminding fans, “I'm still a traitor, okay?” Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.