The Treatment

Kent Jones has worn many hats in the film world. He has written film criticism, collaborated with Martin Scorsese on several of his documentaries, and he served as director of the New York Film Festival. As a director, his work includes the documentary 'Hitchcock/Truffault' and his feature film debut 'Diane.'   His latest film is 'Late Fame,' starring Willem Dafoe and Greta Lee and adapted from an 1895 Arthur Schnitzler novella. Dafoe plays a poet who is rediscovered and celebrated by a younger generation. Jones tells Elvis how the film diverges from the novella; why he's glad he didn't direct films until later in life, and he shares why he believes the “beat” of a film should not be set in the editing.   

Actress and author Julia Fox hasn’t shied away from addressing the painful parts of her life. Her 2023 memoir Down the Drain is an unflinching look at her struggles with drugs and mental illness. For her treat, she recommends another raw memoir from a friend who also dealt with addiction, which inspired her to be open about her own experience.  

Oscar-winning actor Tim Robbins is always doing something new. He has appeared in acclaimed movies, including 'The Shawshank Redemption' and 'Mystic River,' for which he received the Academy Award. He has directed the films 'Cradle Will Rock,' 'Bob Roberts,' and 'Dead Man Walking,' which garnered him an Oscar nod for Best Director. He is the founder of the nonprofit theater troupe The Actors’ Gang. And he’s currently starring in the Apple TV sci-fi series 'Silo' as Bernard Holland, the Head of IT.   Robbins talks to Elvis about his character's dramatic change in the show’s third season; how he is in a “constant state of learning,” and why he is making an archive of his work public.  

This episode of 'The Treatment' is sponsored by Apple TV.  Actress Rhea Seehorn’s dramatic range has been on display for years.   Her breakout role on 'Better Call Saul,' created by Vince Gilligan, earned her two Emmy nominations for her role as attorney Kim Wexler. Seehorn teamed up with Gilligan again for the Apple TV sci-fi series 'Pluribus.' Her performance as Carol Sturka, a bitter novelist who tries to figure out why most of the world is now controlled by a hive mind, landed Seehorn her first Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Seehorn talks to Elvis about the double standard around Carol’s anger; she explains why creator Vince Gilligan said she had a face like a billboard and meant it as a compliment, and she reveals what Kim Wexler and Carol Sturka have in common.  

Jerrod Carmichael’s confessional comedic work stands apart. In the last five years, he has created two ground-breaking works: the intimate and revealing 'Rothaniel' and the HBO documentary series 'Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show,' which was not without controversy. For his treat, he recommends an acclaimed HBO series that he considers to be its own documentary.  

Mary Beth Barone has been carving out her comedic persona for more than a decade. A seasoned stand up, she also co-hosts the comedy podcast Ride with Benito Skinner, and is featured in the Prime Video comedy Overcompensating, which Skinner created and stars in. Her newest comedy triumph is the Netflix special Galaxy Brain. Barone tells The Treatment why she enjoys bringing the audience into her stand up, how her punchlines are often in the middle of the joke, and whether her delivery is actually deadpan.

Writer, director, and actor Mario Van Peebles is perhaps best known for his 1991 breakthrough film 'New Jack City,' which he directed and starred in. Since then he has frequently been on both sides of the camera, which has taken him all over the world. For his treat, he explains why travel has been life changing for him and what it has taught him about humanity.   

For historian and professor Elizabeth Stordeur Pryor, wrestling with  language is part of her job. However, she admits she was left speechless the day a student in one of her classes used the N-word. That moment was the impetus for her new book 'Something We Said: Richard Pryor, a Notorious Word, and Me.'   Stordeur Pryor is the daughter of the late comedian, who often used the word in his comedy. The book is an examination of her complicated relationship to the word and to her father. Stordeur Pryor talks to Elvis about what her father was like off stage, how the N-word led to a rift between her father and her white mother, and how she feels now about that day in class.   

Jordan Peele’s films tackle uncomfortable truths about race in this country through humor, horror and many homages to classic films. Peele won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay in 2017 for his hit directorial debut, 'Get Out.' For his treat, he talks about the film whose technical wizardry and problematic take on race inspired his 2022 film 'Nope.'

Actress Mariska Hargitay has played Captain Olivia Benson on 'Law & Order: SVU' for more than two decades keeping audiences rapt with her ability to balance her character’s vulnerability and strength through wrenching situations.  Her latest project, 'My Mom Jayne,' put her in the director’s chair for the first time as she delved into the complicated and tragically short life of her mother Jayne Mansfield. The documentary is nominated for three Emmys and Hargitay will host the awards show in September, a first for her. Hargitay tells Elvis that making the film was a cathartic experience for her. Plus, she shares her hope that people see themselves and their families in her story, and insists that forgiveness is the only way forward. Note: This episode originally aired on June 27, 2025  

Emmy-winning actor and writer Richard Gadd purposely puts his characters under great tension. He wrote and starred in the 2024 Netflix series 'Baby Reindeer,' which won three Emmys, and most recently created and starred in the HBO series 'Half Man.' He’s up for another Emmy in September for his performance. For his treat, Gadd celebrates an iconic duo, who also often found themselves under great tension, which led to classic comedy.  

For actor and director Mario Van Peebles, talent runs in the family. Mario, the son of the late director Melvin Van Peebles, is perhaps best known for his groundbreaking 1991 film 'New Jack City,' which he directed and starred in. He also wrote, directed and starred in the 2003 film 'Baadasssss!' playing his father during the making of his breakthrough film 'Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song.'    Mario Van Peebles has kept himself busy since then and his latest project is as producer and director of the Netflix crime drama 'Nemesis.' He talks to Elvis about his improvisational directing style, what he learned from working with Clint Eastwood on the film 'Heartbreak Ridge,' and he explains the 'New Jack City' callbacks in 'Nemesis.'  

Chelsea Peretti’s work as a comedian and as an actress on shows such as 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' demonstrates how her gift for deadpan can highlight the humor in the material. In 2023, she directed her first film aptly titled 'First Time Female Director.' For her treat, she cites a 1957 absurdist play that got plenty of laughs in spite of its bleak story.

Writer-director Wes Anderson has been talking film on The Treatment since his directorial debut, 1996’s 'Bottle Rocket.' Since then he has spoken with Elvis about making 'The Grand Budapest Hotel,' 'Asteroid City,' and his most recent project, 'The Phoenician Scheme.' His films are beloved for their visual aesthetics, but fans know the scores and soundtracks are just as unique.   The Hollywood Bowl will be celebrating the music from his 30-year filmography with a special concert series from June 10-12, hosted by Bill Murray. Beck, Jackson Browne, Karen O, and even some actors will perform their favorite music selections from across Anderson’s films.  Anderson tells Elvis about the countless collaborators who have informed his scores and soundtracks, how a certain musician brought another dimension to his 2004 film 'The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou,' and he reveals what piece of music both he and director William Friedkin used in their soundtracks.

Among other things, director Wes Anderson is famous for his particular aesthetic taste, which runs through his films such as 'The Royal Tenenbaums,' 'The Darjeeling Limited,' and 'The Grand Budapest Hotel.' He is also known for the distinctive music scores and soundtracks that set the tone. That music will be celebrated in a three-concert event at the Hollywood Bowl on July 10-12. For his treat, however, he focuses on the visual: an architectural wonder in France whose ingenious design makes one wonder how it holds itself up.

At 83-years-old, Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese’s excitement for creating moving images is as palpable as ever. This quality shines throughout actor/filmmaker Rebecca Miller’s new Apple TV+ documentary 'Mr. Scorsese' and she’s here to tell us all about her process, including the key to getting her subject to open up on camera. Note: This episode aired previously on October 17, 2025  

Comedy writer Spike Feresten has written for some of the most influential shows of the ‘80s and ‘90s: 'SNL,' 'The Simpsons,' and 'Seinfeld.' His latest writing project was another collaboration with Jerry Seinfeld — the screenplay for the 2024 film 'Unfrosted.' For his treat, he cites a late night maverick who showed him that a career in the kind of comedy he loved might be possible.  

Actor Edward Norton has been a favorite guest on The Treatment since his breakout performance in the 1996 thriller 'Primal Fear.' Since then he has steadily surprised audiences in films including 'American History X,' 'The Incredible Hulk,' and 'Fight Club.' He has four Oscar nominations, a Golden Globe win for 'Primal Fear,' and has also directed the films 'Keeping the Faith' and 'Motherless Brooklyn.'    His latest role is in the Olivia Wilde directed comedy 'The Invite,' which co-stars Wilde, Penelope Cruz, and Seth Rogen. Norton talks about why his characters often have a secret, how Wilde set herself apart as a director, and why 'The Invite' is the best double date film of the summer.  

Writer-director David Siegel has collaborated on films with Scott McGehee for more than three decades. Their most recent feature is 2025’s 'The Friend,' starring Naomi Watts with a very large and well behaved co-star. But for The Treat, Siegel goes solo. He celebrates a polarizing style of architecture recently featured in an epic film directed by a friend.  

Emmy-winning writer and actor Richard Gadd knows he puts his characters under great tension in his work. Gadd wrote and starred in the 2024 Netflix series 'Baby Reindeer,' which was inspired by experiences Gadd had as a stand up comic dealing with a stalker. That series garnered six Emmys, including for Gadd’s performance, and for Outstanding Limited Series. Gadd has followed up Reindeer with the HBO series 'Half Man,' which stars Gadd and Jamie Bell as “brothers” whose shared history spirals them into explosive consequences. Gadd tells The Treatment why he creates characters who are larger than life, how those characters have resonated with people, and why he often sets his series in a metaphorical “oven.”  

Actor Simon Helberg is likely best known for his 12 seasons as the brilliant but awkward engineer on the CBS sitcom 'The Big Bang Theory.' But he’s made quite the impression with his newest role as a tech genius who can’t connect with his family on the AMC dramedy 'The Audacity.' For Helberg’s treat, he cites a deceptively simple 1938 Pulitzer prize winning play whose ending is on his mind pretty much every day.

You may know journalist Geoff Bennett as co-anchor of the 'PBS Newshour,' or as a contributor to NPR and NBC. He is also the author of the new book 'Black Out Loud: The Revolutionary History of Black Comedy from Vaudeville to ‘90s Sitcoms.' Bennett tells The Treatment why the '90s was a ‘golden age’ for Black TV, how the 'Cosby Show' spinoff 'A Different World' evolved, and why many people got Steve Urkel wrong. 

The new film Erupcja, which stars pop star Charli XCX and takes place in Poland, marks the third collaboration between director Pete Ohs and playwright and actor Jeremy O. Harris. Their latest collaboration is another international venture. It’s a joint treat about a surprisingly moving Korean reality show and a stark and shocking piece of auto-fiction from a Japanese Nobel prize winner.  

Jordan Firstman’s directorial debut 'Club Kid' was one of the breakout hits of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. The film, which follows an aging party promoter as his life takes an unexpected turn, was snapped up for $17 million by A24 after a bidding war. Firstman stars in the film along with Diego Calva and Cara Delevingne. The trio spoke to Elvis last month at Cannes about the cinematic references for the film, how they reacted the first time they saw the movie, and how the club scene serves as a safe space and second family for many people.   

Filmmaker Tadashi Nakamura’s newest film 'Third Act' follows his father, lauded director Robert A. Nakamura, as he looks back over his life and career while dealing with a recent diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. For his treat, SoCal native Tadashi celebrates a documentary that looked at the birth of a local culture and did it with style.  

RZA may be the ultimate multi-hyphenate. He’s a founding member of the groundbreaking hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan and is considered one of the greatest hip hop producers ever. He’s also a versatile actor, having appeared in films including 'Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai,' 'Coffee and Cigarettes,' and 'Minions: The Rise of Gru.' And he is a director of films including 'The Man with the Iron Fists' and 'Cut Throat City.'  His latest film as director is 'One Spoon of Chocolate,' starring Shameik Moore and presented by Quentin Tarantino. The film follows a veteran and ex-convict looking for a fresh start in a small town.   RZA spoke to Elvis at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival where his film premiered. He talks about his growing confidence as a director, collaborating with Moore, and the three things he believes each film should do.

The Cannes Film Festival recently wrapped up its 79th year celebrating films from around the world. Prior to the festival, its director Thierry Frémaux premiered his own film, 'Lumière le Cinéma!,' a look at the birth of cinema through the Lumière Brothers and their invention of the cinematograph. It’s now streaming on the Criterion Channel. For his treat, Frémaux celebrates an American singer-songwriter whose music doesn’t shy away from protesting the country he calls home.  

Directing duo Phil Lord and Chris Miller got their start in animated TV as co-creators of the series 'Clone High.' Their partnership continued on the big screen with 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,' 'The Lego Movie,' and '21 Jump Street.' Their latest is the adaptation of the Andy Weir sci-fi novel 'Project Hail Mary,' starring Ryan Gosling. Lord and Miller talk about why this movie was the hardest project they've taken on, what the film has in common with 'The Lego Movie,' and why sometimes the most subversive thing they do in a project is have people get along. Note: this interview originally aired on March 20, 2026

Grammy, Emmy, and Tony-winning actress and singer Cynthia Erivo continues to conquer stage and screen. She stepped back into Elphaba’s shoes (and cape and hat) in the blockbuster musical 'Wicked: For Good' last year. Now, she’s finishing up a run in a one-woman adaptation of 'Dracula' in London’s West End. For her treat, she celebrates Nina Simone’s iconic take of the song “I’m Feeling Good.” Erivo cites the “color” and imperfections of Simone’s singing as inspiration for her own version of the song, which, she says, teaches her something new every time she sings it.  

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 film. 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.  

Director India Donaldson’s 2024 feature film debut 'Good One' is deceptively simple: a teenager, her father, and her father’s friend go camping in upstate New York. But the film goes into an unexpected direction, telling its story with tension and subtlety. For her treat, she cites a 2003 sculpture by the visual artist Shimabuku, whose simplicity evokes unabashed joy.

Actor Simon Helberg is no stranger to playing highly intelligent characters with a few social shortcomings. He’s best known for his comedic turn as the brilliant, but awkward engineer Howard Wolowitz on the CBS sitcom 'The Big Bang Theory,' which ran for 12 seasons. He’s also appeared in films including 'Old School,' 'A Serious Man,' and 'Florence Foster Jenkins,' for which he received a Golden Globe nomination.   His latest role is as Martin Phister in the AMC series 'The Audacity.' Phister is a tech genius who can’t connect with his own family. Helberg talks about getting into the psyche of someone highly intelligent and neurodivergent, why some tech titans believe they are actually saving the world, and he reveals what he thinks when he catches himself on 'The Big Bang Theory.'  

Writer-director BenDavid Grabinski’s newest film, the crime caper 'Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice,' is in part an homage to the independent films of the ‘70s. For his treat, he pays tribute to a recent Broadway revival starring two performers known for going back in time and having a most excellent adventure.

More than 125 years ago, brothers Louis and Auguste Lumière invented the cinematograph, a precursor to the movie camera. Their contributions to modern filmmaking are enshrined at the Institute Lumière in France.  As a scholar of film, Thierry Frémaux, director of the Institute Lumière and Cannes Film Festival, was drawn to telling the Lumière brothers’ story. His first film as director is 'Lumière, le Cinema!,' in which he narrates a series of shorts created by the Lumière brothers and explains the significance of their invention. Frémaux talks to Elvis about why he wanted to tell this story, why the Lumière brothers' invention of the cinematograph was so consequential, and how the films they created are still relevant today.

Actor Jeff Daniels has had a storied career in TV, film, and Broadway. He’s the winner of two Emmys for his roles in 'The Newsroom' and 'Godless,' has appeared in films as varied as 'Terms of Endearment,' 'Dumb and Dumber,' and 'The Martian,' and earned three Tony Award nominations for his work in the plays 'God of Carnage,' 'To Kill a Mockingbird,' and 'Blackbird.' To top it all off, he’s also an accomplished musician, with several folk and blues albums of original music. For his treat, he pays tribute to a live album recorded in 1970 by a musician on the precipice of mega-stardom.

The late and acclaimed director Rob Reiner created some of the most beloved films of the past four decades including 'Stand By Me,' 'When Harry Met Sally' and, of course, 'This is Spinal Tap.'  In the fall of 2025, Reiner joined The Treatment for an extensive conversation ahead of the release of what would be his final film: 'Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.'  'This is Spinal Tap' ushered in an era of mockumentaries starring Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer. They were masters of improv and accomplished musicians. Reiner spoke about the actors’ authentic musical talents, he revealed his character Marty DiBergi’s hilarious backstory, and he recounted the real life rockers who saw themselves in the fictional band.   This episode originally ran on September 13, 2025.

Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s collaboration has lasted decades, spawning projects including 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,' 'The Lego Movie,' and their latest, the sci-fi dramedy 'Project Hail Mary.' The friendship that led to their creative partnership started in college, and their treat is the film that cemented that bond: an edgy 1971 Hal Ashby flick that brought new meaning to the term “May-December romance.”

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 new 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.  

Amy Sherman-Palladino and Dan Palladino are behind shows whose dialogue shares rhythms of both borscht belt humor and pop music. Those series include the beloved 'Gilmore Girls,' 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,' and their most recent, the ballet dramedy 'Étoile.' For their treat, the Palladinos shout out an LA record store and a classic comedy sketch they return to again and again.

Actor David Oyelowo doesn’t shy away from taking on complex, groundbreaking characters, but the timing has to be right. He portrayed Martin Luther King, Jr. in 'Selma,' the first Black U.S. marshal in the series 'Lawmen: Bass Reeves,' and took on the role of Othello almost a decade ago on stage. His latest role is in the film 'Newborn,' which is about a man struggling to reconnect with his family after years in solitary confinement. Oyelowo talks about what drew him to the project, the lack of general awareness around the impact of solitary confinement, and what made him finally say yes to playing Othello years ago.

Style writer Guy Trebay has spent decades documenting the trends of culture, art and fashion for The New York Times. His 2024 memoir, Do Something: Coming of Age Amid the Glitter and Doom of ‘70s New York, tells of his early years in a troubled family and how he found refuge in the gritty beauty of New York City. For his treat, he explains why walking in a city (including LA) is his happiest place.  

The title of writer-director BenDavid Grabinski’s comedy caper Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice is a mouthful, but it’s no accident. The film stars Vince Vaughn, James Marsden, and Eiza González as a trio trying to survive the most dangerous night of their lives. Grabinski says he wanted aspects of his movie to harken back to films such as 1976’s Mikey and Nicky and the 1969 comedy Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice. Grabinski tells Elvis how these films inspired him, his unusual music choices for Mike & Nick, and why he’s dying for the Coen brothers to direct a horror movie.

 In his decades as a film critic for the LA Times, Kenneth Turan’s reviews demonstrated his vast knowledge of cinema while never shying away from strong opinions. Turan’s latest book, 'Louis B. Mayer and Irving Thalberg: The Whole Equation', details a partnership that was instrumental in creating the modern film industry. For his treat, Turan cites a 20th century writer and critic whose genuine curiosity shone through in his work.  

Director Joseph Kosinski has helmed two of the biggest blockbusters of the past five years — 2022’s 'Top Gun: Maverick' and last summer’s racing movie 'F1.' The latter stars Brad Pitt as a driver who comes out of retirement to team up with a younger driver (played by Damson Idris). At this year’s Academy Awards, 'F1' took home the Oscar for Best Sound Design. Kosinski talks to Elvis about how his musical background finds its way into his films, how every member of a Formula One team is essential to the driver’s success, and how he wants to make the audience feel like they’re along for the ride.    This episode originally aired July 4, 2025.  

There’s a good chance that Maria Bamford is your favorite comedian’s favorite comedian. Her one-of-a-kind comedy has lent itself to sold out tours, the tv series Lady Dynamite, and a best-selling memoir Sure, I’ll Join Your Cult. For her treat, she celebrates a book that espouses attaining corporate success while doing good by your employees.  

Directing duo Phil Lord and Chris Miller got their start in animated tv as co-creators of the series 'Clone High.' Their partnership continued on the big screen with 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,' 'The Lego Movie,' and '21 Jump Street.' Their latest is the adaptation of the Andy Weir sci-fi novel 'Project Hail Mary,' starring Ryan Gosling. Lord and Miller talk about why this movie was the hardest project they've taken on, what the film has in common with 'The Lego Movie,' and why sometimes the most subversive thing they do in a project is have people get along.

In the HBO series 'Industry,' actor Ken Leung plays a deeply flawed boss at a high powered London investment bank. For his Treat, he celebrates A.A. Milne’s 1928 book The House at Pooh Corner. He says its moving final chapter speaks to the importance of not knowing what comes next but embracing the uncertainty with others.

Actress Erika Alexander became a household name when she starred as Maxine Shaw in the groundbreaking '90s sitcom 'Living Single.' After the show’s run ended, she continued to work in TV and film with roles in 'Get Out' and the 2023 Oscar-winning film 'American Fiction.' Now, she’s starring in the new NBC sitcom 'The Rise and Fall of Reggie Dinkins' with co-stars Tracy Morgan, Daniel Radcliffe, and Bobby Moynihan. Alexander talks to Elvis about keeping up with the sitcom's fast paced comedy, her hilarious chemistry with Radcliffe and Morgan, and what it was like growing up in the Southwest.  

Filmmaker Matt Wolf’s recent HBO documentary 'Pee-wee as Himself' is a deep look at the late Paul Reubens, the man behind the character Pee-wee Herman. For his treat, Wolf celebrates the book 'Edie' by Jean Stein about the late 1960s icon Edie Sedgwick, who became the face of artist Andy Warhol’s Factory studio.  

Guillermo del Toro won his first Oscar for directing the 2017 film 'The Shape of Water.' His latest film, 'Frankenstein,' received nine total Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. Elvis chatted with Del Toro for an extended interview taped live at KCRW’s Annenberg Performance Studio. Del Toro discusses how experiences from his childhood have made their way into his films from 'Cronos' to 'Pan’s Labyrinth' and why he sees challenges in filmmaking as opportunities. Plus, Del Toro explains why we’re talking about film in the wrong way.