2.1 Author Interview with Saul Austerlitz

2.1 Author Interview with Saul Austerlitz

Author: Jonathan Ytreberg January 3, 2024 Duration: 26:14
The Oscar Project Podcast
TvTV & FilmFilmHistoryReviews

Send us Fan Mail

Happy New Year! It's my first interview author of 2024, and today I speak with Saul Austerlitz, a freelance writer whose work has been published in the New York Times, Esquire, Vanity Fair, and Rolling Stone. He is an adjunct professor of writing and comedy history at New York University, and the author of Generation Friends, Just a Shot Away, Sitcom, Another Fine Mess, and Money for Nothing. He joins me today to talk about his new book, Kind of a Big Deal: How Anchorman Stayed Classy and Became the Most Iconic Comedy of the Twenty-First Century.

Listen to hear the how Adam McKay and Will Farrell created some of the most memorable scenes in the film, how the film uses the character of Veronica to comment on the male dominated newsroom culture, and why the early 2000s spawned so many great comedy films. Follow Saul's Substack called Hope in the Dark.
 
Books mentioned in this episode include:

  • Wild and Crazy Guys: How the Comedy Mavericks of the '80s Changed Hollywood Forever by Nick de Semlyen
  • Freaks, Gleeks, and Dawson's Creek: How Seven Teen Shows Transformed Television by Thea Glassman
  • The Deluge by Stephen Markley
  • The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

Films mentioned in this episode include:

  • Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy directed by Adam McKay
  • Monty Python directed by Terry Jones & Terry Gilliam
  • Don't Look Up directed by Adam McKay
  • Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues directed by Adam McKay
  • Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie directed by Adam McKay
  • The 40-Year-Old Virgin directed by Judd Apatow
  • Superbad directed by Greg Mottola
  • Marvel Cinematic Universe
  • Star Wars Franchise
  • Bridesmaids directed by Paul Feig
  • Bottoms directed by Emma Seligman
  • Barbie directed by Greta Gerwig
  • City Lights directed by Charlie Chaplin
  • The Shop Around the Corner directed by Ernst Lubitsch
  • Wes Anderson Netflix shorts
  • Rushmore directed by Wes Anderson
  • Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby directed by Adam McKay

Support the show


There's a whole century of stories waiting in the Academy's archives, and The Oscar Project Podcast is digging through every single one. Instead of just focusing on the current awards season, this show takes the long view, working its way through every film ever nominated for an Oscar starting all the way back in 1929. Each episode is a deep dive into a specific year or a particular film, unpacking not just the cinematic craft on screen but the historical context that shaped it. You'll hear about forgotten gems, surprising snubs, and how the art of filmmaking has evolved over decades. Alongside these detailed reviews and discussions, the podcast regularly features conversations with filmmakers, historians, and authors who provide unique insights into the industry's past and present. It’s for anyone who loves film history as much as the movies themselves, offering a structured but fascinating journey through Hollywood's most celebrated-and sometimes controversial-moments. Tune in to this thoughtfully crafted podcast for a richer understanding of how the Oscars have reflected, and sometimes directed, the entire trajectory of modern cinema.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 226

Official website RSS
The Oscar Project Podcast
Podcast Episodes
2.22 Filmmaker Interview with Dana Koops [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:02
Send us Fan MailIn today's episode, I interview director Dana Koops about her upcoming short film “La Bibliothèque” an intimate look at a young woman dealing with grief. The film has its world premiere at ComicCon this J…
2.21 Filmmaker Interview with Antonina Kerguelén Román [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:18
Send us Fan MailIn today's episode, I interview director Antonina Kerguelén Román about her short film “¡salsa!” a look at the world of music through the experience of someone who cannot hear. The film will be shown at t…
2.20 Filmmaker Interview with Courtney Dixon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:09
Send us Fan MailIn today's episode, I interview director Courtney Dixon about her short documentary "Depression is a Beast," a frank look at how horror films can help people cope with anxiety and depression. The film was…
2.19 Filmmaker Interview with Julia Aks and Steve Pinder [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:23
Send us Fan MailIn today's episode, I interview the writer/director pair of Julia Aks and Steve Pinder about their short film "Jane Austen's Period Drama," a hilarious comedy about well, periods, set in England two centu…
2.18 Filmmaker Interview with Nick Russell and Nick Musgrove [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:33
Send us Fan MailIn today's episode, I interview director Nick Russell and writer Nick Musgrove, about their short film "Favourites," about parents who are forced to make an impossible choice. The film has been showing at…
2.17 Author Interview with Andrew Stanley Kiste [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:42
Send us Fan MailIn today's interview, I speak with Andrew Stanley Kiste, a campus life director and life long lover of all things Disney. He has written articles and books including Walt Disney and the 1964-1965 New York…
2.15 Sadie Thompson-When it Rains, it Pours [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:47
Send us Fan MailToday I am discussing the 1928 film Sadie Thompson. The film tells the story of Sadie Thompson, a woman of questionable moral character, and Mr. Davidson, the devout missionary who makes it his mission to…
2.14 Author Interview with Lisa Stein Haven [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:00
Send us Fan MailIn today's interview, I speak with Lisa Stein Haven, a Professor of English at Ohio University and expert in all things Charlie Chaplin. She has written extensively on the actor and director and hosted th…
2.13-The Crowd-Love, Happiness, and Family Struggles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:22
Send us Fan MailAs I announced in my spring preview episode earlier this week, today I am discussing the 1928 film The Crowd. The film focuses on the story of John and Mary Sims as they build a family together and face l…

«1...151617181920212223»