The Sam Sanders Show

Note: This episode contains spoilers!  A24’s ‘The Drama’ has pissed off many moviegoers.  The film, directed by Kristoffer Borgli, follows a newly engaged couple played by Zendaya and Robert Pattinson. The trailer gives rom-com vibes, until a shocking confession threatens to end their relationship. This movie (and the discourse around it) raises a lot of tricky questions: What does a movie studio owe to the public? How provocative should a mainstream film ever be? What kind of movie star is Zendaya? Sam dives into all of this with Amy Nicholson, film critic at the ‘Los Angeles Times’ and co-host of the ‘Unspooled’ podcast. Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week. The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.

Ryan Mitchell, entertainment journalist and pop culture connector, and Liz Plank, author and commentator on gender and relationships, debate rom-com greatness. They define the genre, champion picks like Last Holiday, The Notebook, Bridesmaids and Crazy Rich Asians. Conversations touch on representation, female friendship, queer coding, and why these films still comfort and provoke.

Jia Tolentino, New Yorker staff writer and cultural critic, unpacks Robyn’s new album and career. They talk about motherhood woven into club beats. They explore frank sexuality, heartbreak set to ecstatic pop, and how Robyn subverted mainstream pop to stay influential.

Everdeen Mason, editorial director of games at The New York Times, oversees Wordle, Connections and the Crossword. She explains why Wordle became a shared daily ritual and how it fit into NYT Games. She talks about word scheduling, balancing difficulty, sensitive word choices, testing at scale, and why it is fine to skip or cheat for your own fun.

Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture TV critic known for cultural analysis of reality shows, breaks down the sudden cancellation of a Bachelorette season. She traces the leak, the casting choices that invited controversy, and how reality formats and Housewives-style fame culture shaped the fallout. Short takes on industry fixes and whether this moment signals a reckoning for reality television.

Chris Fleming, a movement-driven stand-up and performer known for his physical, dance-infused comedy. He discusses using dance and contact improv to craft spectacle onstage. He talks about designing wide-stage moments, embracing imperfection during tapings, touring routines, the physical toll of his work, and how comedy is a way to give joy and love.

Mark Sonnenblick, songwriter and musician who co-wrote the Oscar-winning K-pop anthem "Golden," talks about the song's rise and surprising popularity. He explains why the vocal bridge is so challenging. They explore how a powerful high note serves the film's story and how pop form meets theatrical complexity in animated musical storytelling.

Amy Wang, Chinese-born writer-director of Slanted, reimagines her immigrant upbringing through satirical horror. She discusses a story about ethnic modification, using body horror and satire to unsettle and provoke. Conversations cover festival reactions, casting choices, cultural memories, and why genre can make difficult topics more accessible.

It’s almost Oscars weekend, so we’re hanging out with the man behind some of the wildest moments in the ceremony’s history. Comedian Bruce Vilanch spent 25 years writing for the Oscars. He crafted jokes for legendary hosts like Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Martin, Billy Crystal and more. He spoke with Sam last year about his experiences in the job and his advice for aspiring comedy writers.  Bruce Vilanch’s book is called: It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time: The Worst TV Shows in History and Other Things I Wrote Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind-the-scenes stuff from every interview each week.  

Clayton Davis, Variety chief awards editor and Awards Circuit host, and Jacqueline Coley, Rotten Tomatoes awards editor and Seen on the Screen host, debate ways to fix the Oscars. They argue for shorter pacing and a mid‑February date. They discuss YouTube as a new home, turning the show into pop culture spectacle, split ceremonies, live scenes on stage, and tighter voting rules.