Remember this moment: when Taylor Swift played the biggest shows of her career on the Melbourne stop of her Eras tour.As Sydney gears up for its own weekend of Taylor Swift mania, we're getting deep into Swiftology with Brittany Spanos, a senior writer for Rolling Stone who's followed Swift's career and teaches a course about her at NYU. And Stop Everything! resident Swiftie Sarah Mashman shares her concert review.

The Super Bowl feels the Taylor Swift effect, with record high viewership around the world.  We’re talking Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce wish fulfilment, Usher’s half-time show and Beyonce’s new music announcement with guest critic Maria Lewis! And Jennifer Lopez’s This is Me ... Now feature musical is out. Is it as chaotic as the trailer led us to believe?  

Millennial dream couple Maya Erskine and Donald Glover star in a reimagined Mr. and Mrs. Smith, the 2005 assassin action film that launched Brangelina (rip) into the strastosphere, and we are bathing in the new series' moody, gig economy, sexy misfit vibes.Also, a Grammys wrap with this ep's guest critic, Jack Evans, BTN reporter, Beyoncé aficionado and new dog daddy.

This ep guest critic Hannah Reich opens up about how she spends her TikTok Time, introducing us to the accounts of famous mumfluencers, Indy Clinton and Nara Smith.Are mumfluencers purveyors of wholesome, relatable content, like a healthy, homemade snack? Or are they flaunting their curated, unattainable privilege during a cost of living crisis?! How are regular mums supposed to read these online performances of motherhood?Also: a look at The Brothers Sun, Netflix's new series about a Taiwanese organised crime family, starring Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh.

Justice for Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig, who were left out of the Oscar nominations for best actress and director. Meanwhile Ryan Gosling, who played Ken, scored a best actor nod. Is this the patriarchy, and horses, at work?Kween Kong of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under (season 2) is the first Stop Everything! guest critic of 2024.Also in this ep: JLo's trailer for This Is Me … Now, the Emmys, Disney's Wish, Singles Inferno season 3 and detoxing from MAFS

We're ushering in Drag royalty and their champions.Local legend Kween Kong stops by to talk about how life has changed since being a finalist on the second [and best] season of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under.And Fenton Bailey was a queer kid coming of age in the UK in the seventies. Television changed his life, inspiring him to move to New York and start a production company with co-founder Randy Barbato: World of Wonder.From there, World of Wonder worked with Britney Spears, Carrie Fisher and Tammy Faye Bakker but their most enduring collaboration is of course with RuPaul Charles. In 1993 they shot the film clip for RuPaul's 1993 hit, Supermodel (you better work) which became a staple on MTV, and in 2008 they produced season one of RuPaul's Drag Race.

We're getting the inside story on a new documentary about legendary YA author Judy Blume and spending time with disability inclusion advocate Sinéad BurkeHow did Sinéad Burke go from teen fashion blogger to two-time British Vogue cover model with over 200,000 instagram followers? Sinéad shares her story with Stop Everything! and talks about why inclusive design is important to everyone.And at 85, global bestselling author Judy Blume is a living legend who's long overdue for celebration. Filmmakers Davina Pardo and Leah Wolchok are directors of the feature documentary 'Judy Blume Forever' that takes stock of the life and legacy of the beloved groundbreaking author.

We're learning about managing fame, making mistakes and the art of forgiveness.Celebrity chef, cookbook author and millennial influencer Alison Roman takes BW + BL behind the scenes of her YouTube Home Movies and shares her biggest regret of 2020.And Ronald Gladden, star of Jury Duty answers all our burning questions about his experience on the mockumentary series and how his life has changed since its release.

We're talking happily-ever-after with Julia Quinn, author of the Bridgerton romance novels.With its multiracial (and hot) casting and steamy sex scenes, Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series found new and enthusiastic audiences via Shondalands's hit screen adaptations for Netflix. BW and romance correspondent Rudi Bremer talk to Julia about collaborating with Shonda Rhimes on the new Queen Charlotte series and novels, and what she's learned about writing non white and queer characters.And BL and BW hear from the director and cast of Rye Lane, a British romcom that sends its leads on a colour-saturated caper through the landmarks of South London.

We're going behind the scenes and in front of the cameras of documentary series Alone Australia.Alone Australia, SBS's version of the international series hit our screens and our hearts as ten contestants battled and embraced the elements on the West Coast of lutruwita/Tasmania.BW + BL spoke to Producer Riima Daher about everything from training participants how to use camera gear in the wilderness to where they poop.And after 67 days surviving solo, Alone Australia winner, Gina Chick packed her possum skin coat and left her home. Gina shares how she packed on the kilos to prepare for the show and why she kept the camera rolling as she grieved her late daughter Blaise.

Stop Everything! It's a big one this week.It's our final show before we break for summer, and we're wrapping the year in pop culture with two of our favourite members of the Stop Everything! cinematic universe: comedian, author and Drag Race Down Under judge, Rhys Nicholson; and broadcaster, film and tv critic and Stop Everything! fill-in cohost, Wenlei Ma.And — we are farewelling co-host Benjamin Law, who's stepping back from Stop Everything! After SIX years, so he can focus on some big exciting and non-disclosable projects in 2024. BW and BL tell their Stop Everything! origin story, laugh through a classy selection of bloopers and hug it out as they close the book on a very special era of the show.We're sad but we're also excited! Because Stop Everything! continues in 2024 in a new format, with BW hosting solo and welcoming a rotating roster of guest critics each week to talk all things pop culture.

Award-winning director Corrie Chen takes us behind the scenes of The Artful Dodger, a re-envisioning the Dickens classic, Oliver Twist, set in 1850s colonial Australia. Corrie talks about directing an all star cast and how she coped with all blood and gore of the series many surgery scenes.BL has a religious experience watching Beyoncé's Renaissance tour film, and BW and BL trawl through the pop culture news of the week: Former US Congressman George Santos' Cameo-powered pivot; Billie Eilish's coming out story; and how the Dutch translation of a new book about Harry and Meghan put names to bombshell disclosures made during the couple's 2021 Oprah interview.

Nineties supermodel Linda Evangelista isn't dating because she doesn't "want to hear somebody breathing" — and frankly, we're into it! With that quote, Evangelista joins a pantheon of unbothered older women (Whoopi Goldberg, Kim Catrall, Nancy Pelosi, Maxine Waters) who dgaf what you think about them.And we're getting on the blower for a phone call with writer, humourist, and New York City icon Fran Lebowitz! Fran talks about her resistance to the digital age, playing a judge on Law and Order and how she's getting ready for her 2024 tour of Australia.Also: BW watches 3+ hours of Faraway Downs, Baz Luhrmann's six-part recut of his 2008 epic, Australia, to find out what's new, and the answer is — more ham; BL reports back on Bottoms, a hectic, genre bending queer high school comedy starring The Bear's Ayo Edebiri and The Idol's Rachel Sennott.

Dr Kate Adams is here to spill all the behind-the-scenes beans about The Real Housewives of Sydney. Dr Kate talks about the drama of #FurGate, explosive arguments and why she said yes to joining the cast of RHOS.In other drama, BW and BL gossip about the shock firing and sudden rehiring of Open AI CEO Sam Altman; and what they think of reality competition show Squid Game: The Challenge and spooky true crime podcast Ghost Story.

We’re gossiping about the end of the actors strike; Fellow Travellers, a new series that blends history with horny sex scenes; and that Vogue photo shoot of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and fiancee Lauren Sanchez.And Kelsey McKinney and Alex Sujong Laughlin, co-creators of Normal Gossip, take us behind the scenes of their hit podcast that trades in low stakes, high drama gossip about normal people.

Britney Spears' long-awaited memoir delivers the goods — from Justin Timberlake's betrayals to details of the conservatorship that ruled the pop star's life for 13 years. BW read the book in one day and has lots of views. And live from Kaurna Country — Stop Everything's show from In Other Words at Oz Asia Festival! Cookbook author and MasterChef fan favourite Sarah Tiong and author and restaurateur Durkhanai Ayubi on everything from how they like to eat their feelings to why you should pay $30 for Bánh mì

Friends fans of all ages are mourning the death of Matthew Perry, who played Chandler Bing on the long-running sitcom. But is Friends what Perry wanted to be remembered for? Hasan Minhaj has clapped back at a New Yorker article that found inaccuracies and embellishments in stories he's told in comedy specials. Minhaj published a 20-minute fact check video of The New Yorker's fact check of him — and we're wading through the entrails. And hear from Jessica Yu, director of Quiz Lady, a new comedy starring Sandra Oh, Awkwafina and Will Ferrell; and Xavier Ho, ABC Top 5 Arts resident, who's got gaming tips for non gamers.

Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour is box office gold. Geriatric millennial correspondent Ben Law checks out the nearly three-hour concert movie and reports back on his favourite eras.  Screenwriter and showrunner Greg Daniels is the creative mind behind beloved shows like The Office (US), Parks and Recreation and King of the Hill. He talks to Ben and Beverley about his current show, Upload, which takes a dystopian turn into the world of big tech and digital afterlives. And file it under the category of things no one asked for: a four-hour recut of Baz Luhrmann’s 2008 epic (flop) Australia is heading to Disney+. Beverley revisits Australia — the movie — to see how it holds up (spoiler alert: Hugh Jackman’s jacked torso holds up.)

How did Brian Jordan Alvarez strike viral gold with his universe of face filter TikTok characters like TJ Mack, Rich Southern Aunt, Australian Rick and more? Brian takes us through TJ Mack’s hit Sitting (which is the opposite of standing). Jada Pinkett Smith’s new memoir shares new disclosures about the state of her marriage to Will Smith — do they put the infamous 2022 Oscars slap in a new light? And like the true sickos they are, BW and BL are back slurping at the trough of the Real Housewives of Sydney.

Like so many people, we’re devastated by the sudden death of comedian Cal Wilson. We’re paying tribute to Cal, who was a fixture on Australian TV and beloved in the comedy community and beyond.  Drag royalty Kween Kong stops by to talk about how life has changed since being a finalist on the second [and best] season of RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under, including the surreal experience of being nominated for a Logie.  And The Real Housewives of Sydney is back after a six-year hiatus with a cast of housewives who were … born with breasts?? If you’re curious, confused and slightly horrified, you’ve come to the right place. 

Are you a Linda, Christy, Cindy or Naomi? The 90s served us legendary supermodels, but how are the women who conquered the fashion world looking back on that era in their new Apple TV+ series?

Admit it, you have questions about our AI future. Is generative Artificial Intelligence here to help you with tasks you don't want to do? Or is it more likely it's going to take your job and threaten the existence of humanity itself? In this special episode, author and screenwriter Simon Rich joins us. He happens to have the inside track on super intelligent AI that already exists — and the technology makes ChatGPT look like the dumbest kid in class. BL and WM also discuss the new action movie The Creator, a story about a former American soldier who's tasked with stopping an AI weapon which happens to take the form of a doe-eyed child.Show notes:

We're all guilty of loving problematic faves. Is it still OK to read Harry Potter or watch Woody Allen movies? How do you reconcile your love for murky pop culture with the ethics of being a good person? In this special episode, Benjamin Law and Wenlei Ma confess to their problematic faves and attempt to determine whether it's still OK to declare their loyalty to them or if it's something to be disavowed. We also chat to Karyn Moynihan and Anna Carey about Double Love, a podcast which recaps and re-litigates the blockbuster 1980s teen publishing phenomenon, Sweet Valley High.

It's a great week for anyone who loves a scandal, especially a media one. The return of The Newsreader and Morning Wars within days of each other means we're well served when it comes to fictional high-drama in newsrooms. All that shouting and backstabbing! The Newsreader's Sam Reid joins us to chat about what to expect for the second season, and his curious obsession with vintage TV sets. Plus, BL and WM discuss the furore surrounding Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis after their support for Danny Masterson in the wake of his conviction for rape — and the fraught use of character references in sexual assault cases.

Cancellations! Price rises! Too many services! Streaming was supposed to be a pop culture utopia where audiences could pay $10 for everything they ever wanted to watch. A decade on, viewers are forking out for multiple services and their favourite shows are being canned. Journalist and streaming expert Dan Barrett joins us to wade through the mess and forecast what the future holds for the industry and audiences. Speaking of mess, BL and WM discuss the muddy disaster of Burning Man and whether festivals will now always be at the mercy of climate change. Plus, how people reacted to the Venice Film Festival's inclusion of Woody Allen, Roman Polanski and Luc Besson. And, we take a look at the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie and the enduring power of a thoroughly silly (in the best ways) franchise.

Everywhere you look, there's a cultural bin fire. The flames of disaster are burning down the house and we can't stop staring. First there's the shameless comeback of the Fyre Festival, the disastrous party that never was. Then there's Disney scuttling a super expensive streaming series it's already finished filming and may now never see the light of day. And, of course, there's the calamitous Sex and the City revival And Just Like That, which finished its second season with an anticipated cameo and a narrative whimper. Plus, Australian authors Jenna Guillaume and Will Kostakis drop in to chat about all things Young Adult books, TV shows and movies, and how to walk the tightrope of the culture wars.

If Taylor Swift's nemesis Scooter Braun is having a bad week, is it a pretty safe assumption that TayTay is having a good one? So, why is everyone talking about Braun right now? Plus, Real Housewives superfan Ben mounts a spirited defence of the reality TV juggernaut and tries to convince non-believer Wenlei to give it a go. And, actor and comedian Matt Okine stops by to chat about his bold adventure, a remake of iconic Australian series Mother and Son while BL and WM wrestle over the Bradley Cooper "Jewface" controversy.

The internet is blowing up over the bedroom antics in queer rom-com Red, White and Royal Blue, but is it actually sexy? And is mediocrity what's been missing in LGBTQI+ representation? BL and WM discuss the messy, QAnon-adjacent controversy that's engulfed box-office barnstormer, child sex trafficking movie Sound of Freedom. Plus, authority on all things comics Maria Lewis stops in to talk about her new book, Mockingbird: Strike Out, and the state of play in the world of superheroes.

Already proclaimed as one of the best films of the year, Past Lives is a stunning drama that hits you right in the feels. There will be tears. Past Lives writer and director Celine Song drops in to talk about her semi-autobiographical movie, reinvention, and destiny as a pick-up line. BL and WM discuss the blazing Australian success story that is horror flick Talk to Me, and the tragedy of its ban in Kuwait. Plus, the frothy and melancholic delights of Only Murders in the Building.

Superstars and Neighbours alums Daniel MacPherson and Remy Hii drop in to chat about their new stage production, 2:22: A Ghost Story, and reveal their own spooky encounters with the unexplained. BL and WM delve into the Logies Awards and what Sonia Kruger's divisive win of the Gold says about Australian TV and the public's short memory of not-so-long-ago transgressions. Plus, we banter about the cultural phenomenon of The Bear and Jeremy Allen White's short-shorts, and look at The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart and the challenge of telling stories of family violence on screen.

Barbenheimer has conquered the world, inspiring film lovers to return to the cinema. But is it enough to save moviegoing after the pandemic drop-off? And, are Barbie and Oppenheimer actually any good? We talk to Barbie stars America Ferrera and Issa Rae about what it's like to live in Greta Gerwig's Barbieland, and their journey from indifference to love. Actor Zoe Chao pops in for a chat about The Afterparty and her murder mystery solving skills. And we delve into who the real Hollywood villains are in the pitched battle between the studios and the actors and writers.

Jenny Kee's designs have travelled from Bondi beach to the catwalks in France to Princess Diana, who famously wore Jenny's Blinky koala knit at a polo match in the 80's The self-dubbed 'glamorous granny' was a proponent of slow fashion before fast fashion was exposed for its environmental and humanitarian harm. Jenny Kee sat down with BL + BW to share her early memories of growing up in Bondi, her move to London in the sixties and her 1am exercise routine in Sydney's Blue Mountains.

Fenton Bailey was a queer kid coming of age in the UK in the seventies. Television changed his life, inspiring him to move to New York and start a production company with co-founder Randy Barbato: World of Wonder. From there, World of Wonder worked with Britney Spears, Carrie Fisher and Tammy Faye Bakker but their most enduring collaboration is of course with RuPaul Charles. In 1993 they shot the film clip for RuPaul's 1993 hit, Supermodel (you better work) which became a staple on MTV, and in 2008 they produced season one of RuPaul's Drag Race. Fenton Bailey spoke to BL + BW from New Zealand while they were filming season three of Drag Race Down Under

When 16-year-old Casey Donovan won season two of Australian Idol, she was thrown into the spotlight. Almost twenty years on, Casey reflects on her steps from Idol to stage shows, and finding her way back home with guest host Jack Evans Meanwhile, rapper Barkaa's been touring her debut EP Blak Matriarchy since 2021, and she told guest host Rudi Bremer about her ideas behind Blak Matriarchy, the Elders she's learnt from, and getting back into the studio.

We're sharpening our knives with the crew of the Revenge and discovering how Brian Cox is able to empathise with unsympathetic characters. Actor and trained fencer, Vico Ortiz tells BW + BL how tending bar helped them master knife spinning in two weeks in order to play Jim, a non-binary, knife throwing pirate in Our Flag Means Death, a queer normative rom com based on the real life pirates Blackbeard and the Gentleman Pirate. And Brian Cox shares how he finds his motivation to play unsympathetic (terrible) characters on stage and screen. Brian spoke to BW in 2022 ahead of an Australian book tour.

We're gasping at the end of Harry and Meghan's Spotify deal, checking in on the Hollywood writers strike and worried about Miranda on And Just Like That. Following news that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's $20 million content deal with Spotify has ended after just one season of a podcast, senior executive and podcaster Bill Simmons lashed the couple as "f**king grifters." Is this fair? Screenwriter and playwright Anchuli Felicia King gives an update on the WGA writers strike, which has brought US television production to a standstill for nearly two months. AFK is a writer on HBO's adaptation of Viet Thanh Nguyen's Pulitzer-prize winning novel, The Sympathiser starring Robert Downey Jr and Sandra Oh. And — it's another chaotic week for TV reviews as (spoiler alert) BW and BL take apart the first two episodes of season two of And Just Like That.

We're spending time with disability inclusion advocate Sinéad Burke and trying to forget the first two episodes of HBO's The Idol. How did Sinéad Burke go from teen fashion blogger to two-time British Vogue cover model with over 200,000 instagram followers? Sinéad shares her story with Stop Everything! and talks about why inclusive design is important to everyone. And why is HBO's The Idol, starring Lily-Rose Depp, co-created by The Weeknd and Euphoria's Sam Levinson, making us want to claw our faces? BW and BL discuss the punishing first two episodes of the much-discussed series.

We're doling out advice in the Stop Everything x Big Mood Little Mood live show with Danny Lavery! Danny Lavery is host of advice podcast Big Mood Little Mood, a New York Times bestselling author, Substack superstar, and former Dear Prudence advice columnist. He jumps on stage at the Sydney Writers Festival with Ben and Bev to talk through letters from listeners looking for help. Then, a couple of podcast recommendations and some thoughts on Channel 4's long-running dinner party competition show, Come Dine With Me.

We're talking to Gina Chick, the winner of Alone Australia and [spoiler alert] blitzing through the finales of Succession and Ted Lasso. After 67 days surviving solo in the harsh winter conditions of West Coast lutruwita/Tasmania, Gina became the first winner of SBS' Alone Australia. Gina tells all about how she packed on the kilos to prepare for the show and why she kept the camera rolling as she grieved her late daughter Blaise. Stan Grant, one of the ABC's most senior and respected broadcasters, has stepped back from his work after sustained and violent racist attacks online and threats to himself and his family. In doing so, Stan wrote about 'institutional failures" that left him feeling unsupported. What's the impact of his words? And you've been warned: Ben and Bev dissect the finales of HBO's Succession and Apple TV+'s Ted Lasso.

We're talking happily-ever-after stories with Halle Bailey and Melissa McCarthy, stars of Disney's The Little Mermaid, and Julia Quinn, author of the Bridgerton romance novels. Disney's live action remake of its animated classic The Little Mermaid is campy and entertaining, but why this story again, and why now? Ben puts the question to Halle, who plays Ariel, and Melissa, who plays Ursula. With its multiracial (and hot) casting and steamy sex scenes, Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series found new and enthusiastic audiences via Shondalands's hit screen adaptations for Netflix. BW and Rudi Bremer talk to Julia about collaborating with Shonda Rhimes on the new Queen Charlotte series and novels, and what she's learned about writing non white and queer characters.

We're escaping to Hyrule in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, shutting down the Metaverse and talking to Jury Duty hero Ronald Gladden. Why has Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg quietly shelved Metaverse, his multi-billion dollar attempt to build an immersive virtual reality world? Well, it turns out the Metaverse had no legs! Fans of Amazon's Jury Duty rejoice! Series star Ronald answers all our burning questions about his experience on the mockumentary series and how his life has changed since its release. Ben reviews Nintendo's blockbuster new Zelda release and finds it to be a healing balm for our busy, modern world; and Beverley wishes she was Martha Stewart.

We're watching Netflix's Queen Charlotte, singing the praises of reginas and waiting for our invitations to join Bluesky. Shonda Rhimes' Queen Charlotte fills in the blanks of Julia Quinn's Bridgerton adaptations, telling us how 'The Great Experiment' resulted in the multiracial aristocracy we see on screen. While we're talking about the royal family, what was the choir singing at the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla? And Aisha Dee, best known for starring in the cult hit The Bold Type, talks about her role in the new SBS drama Safe Home, along with series creator Anna Barnes.

We're talking to Alison Roman and pondering the future of MasterChef, the Met Gala, and the monarchy. Celebrity chef, cookbook author and millennial influencer Alison Roman gets real about being Internet famous and making mistakes. She takes us behind the scenes of her YouTube Home Movies and shares her biggest regret of 2020. For years MasterChef has been the warm hug TV show that gets Australians through winter. But how do we feel about watching in the wake of the shocking death of judge Jock Zonfrillo? Also: is Ben king now? Salty feelings about the Karl Lagerfeld Met Gala and the Hollywood writers' strike.

We're reporting for Jury Duty, trashing our Twitter blue ticks and getting violently local with Aunty Donna. Bev and Ben debrief on Jury Duty, Amazon's wild twist on reality TV that's Truman Show meets The Office meets The Rehearsal, starring jury foreperson and real life nice guy, Ronald Gladden. Meanwhile, Twitter's blue tick has gone from verified status symbol to absolute embarrassment, thanks to Elon Musk. Aunty Donna's Zach and Broden stop by with freshly brewed Morning Brown from their Coffee Cafe.

We're catching up on Succession drama, Netflix's Beef troubles and getting the inside story on a new documentary about legendary YA author Judy Blume. Now that (spoiler alert) Logan Roy is dead, what's at stake for Kendall, Shiv, Roman (and Connor) Roy? And what nostril-flaring details are revealed in a Vanity Fair article about the real life family that inspired HBO's Succession — the Murdochs? At 85, global bestselling author Judy Blume is a living legend who's long overdue for celebration. Filmmakers Davina Pardo and Leah Wolchok are directors of the feature documentary 'Judy Blume Forever' (Amazon Prime) that takes stock of the life and legacy of the beloved groundbreaking author. Also, where is Pity City and why can't we live there? Find out how a clip from a staff meeting at a fancy office furniture company gifted us with this instantly iconic line.

We're stopping everything to talk to two trail blazers in the Australian music industry, Jen Cloher and Jaguar Jonze. Jen Cloher's new album, I Am The River, The River Is Me is a powerful collection of songs inspired by Jen's matrilineal line of wāhine Māori. Jen told BW and BL in 2022 that the lead single, Mana Takatāpui is a loving tribute to queer Maori identity. Jaguar Jonze is creating major change after a series of post it notes shared on social media sparked a nationwide review into bullying and sexual assault in the Australian music industry. BW spoke to Jaguar in February 2022 about songwriting, advocacy and performing during the pandemic.

Trump's been indicted but still campaigning, Elon Musk changed the twitter logo to the dogecoin dog — honestly what the hell is happening, we need to figure things out. BW and BL talk through the OTT news of the week, Ben's Trump impression returns and we're trading reviews of the Super Mario Bros. Movie and Yellowjackets season two. Also hear from the director and cast of Rye Lane, a British rom-com that sends its leads on a colour-saturated caper through the landmarks of South London.

Stop everything for: Celeste Barber on her new show, Wellmania, the latest in nepo baby news, and reviews of Succession season 4 and John Wick 4! Celeste Barber of #celestechallengeaccepted talks about body acceptance, Instagram comedy and what she has in common with her Wellmania TV character, Liv Healy. We're figuring out the week in nepo baby news after Gwyneth Paltrow appeared in a Utah courtroom to testify in a ski crash trial and Romy Mars, Sofia Coppola's daughter (and Francis Ford Coppola's granddaughter) made a viral TikTok about vodka pasta that was definitely not about vodka pasta. And find out what BL thinks about the premiere of Succession season 4, and what BW thinks about John Wick 4.

Find out what went down behind the scenes of Australian Survivor with fan favourites Nina Twine, Simon Mee, and Stop Everything's own Benjamin Law! The Tribe has spoken and the winner of Australian Survivor: Heroes V Villains has been crowned. Nina and Simon dish on their jury votes, gameplay and drama that didn't make it to air. Nina, Simon and Ben share their favourite moments, highs, lows and unforgettable stories of trying to outwit, outplay and outlast each other in Samoa.

Season 3 of Ted Lasso is underway, we're eating up Ali Wong and Steven Yeun's raging Beef and going behind the scenes of Alone Australia. Did BL abandon Ted Lasso because it's straight culture? Is that the exact reason why it's a healing balm for BW? And how will Ted and Nate's breakup play out in the final series of the beloved Apple TV+ show? Comedian Ali Wong and Oscar nominated Steven Yeun face off in The A24/Netflix series Beef, which features Wong and Yeun as strangers who become obsessed with making each others' lives hell after a road rage incident. Alone Australia is SBS' upcoming version of the international hit documentary series. Executive Producer Riima Daher talks about everything from training participants how to use camera gear in the wilderness to where they poop.

Everything Everywhere All At Once won big at the Oscars, and we're ugly crying our way through the cast and crew's acceptance speeches. Also shoutout to Jimmy Kimmel's bland steadiness as Oscars host (no one got slapped!). It feels like the perfect time to hear from The Daniels, so we're highlighting our interview with Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, screenwriters and directors of EEAAO. And spoiler alert, we're sorting through the melancholy, violent finale of The Last of Us.

BW and BL dissect Chris Rock's take on getting slapped by Will Smith at last year's Oscars, delivered via Rock's new comedy special, Selective Outrage. Live vicariously through the eyes of resident DINK [dual income, no kids] Benjamin Law, who flew across the continent to see Björk at Perth Festival, and gives us a recount. BW basks in the Pedro Pascal solar eclipse of new The Last of Us and new episodes of The Mandalorian. And music legend Jazzie B OBE, founder of Soul II Soul ahead of the group's Australian tour talks us through the musical and cultural origins of the Grammy-winning group, known for hits like Back to Life (However do you want me) and Keep on Movin'.

Why do cast members of Everything Everywhere All At Once cry every time they accept awards for the film? It's called healing, baby. And why didn't Ariana DeBose's campy tribute to women in Hollywood land at The BAFTAs? It's called being English, baby. Julia Zemiro is back on TV with RocKWiz and we frankly love her. Also, Ben reviews Queerstralia, an ABC documentary about the Queer history of Australia, presented by award-winning comedian and professional lesbian Zoë Coombs Marr.

It's our live show from Sydney WorldPride! BW and BL are at Riverside's National Theatre of Parramatta talking to Zindzi Okenyo and Allen René Louis about the Australian premiere of Choir Boy, Academy Award winner Tarell Alvin McCraney's play about a gifted queer Black teen navigating high school and homophobia. After 22 days on Australian Survivor, Ben's been voted off the island. BW quizzes him about everything that went down in that wild tribal council (#ButtCookie #CookieIdol). And BW and BL discuss updates to Roald Dahl's classic children's stories.

Ben Law's giving us an inside view to his hectic week on Australian Survivor. We're covering everything from $400 brown onions to immunity idols, and what it's like to have no allies in the tribe. Also, how is Rihanna's epic pregnancy reveal at the Super Bowl half-time show a reset for how we view pregnant women in pop culture, and what is Cunk on Earth?

This week BL and BW discuss how the Grammys managed to simultaneously disrespect and honour Beyoncé; Lizzo's loving heart, Harry Styles' 'people like me' speech and Ben Affleck's memeified misery. Also hear why Channing Tatum and Salma Hayek's first dance in Magic Mike's Last Dance lives rent free in BW's mind. And Film and TV critic Wenlei Ma tells you about the 2023 screen releases she's looking forward to, like Greta Gerwig's live action Barbie movie, and what she wants to crane kick like Cobra Kai.

It's a survival-themed episode with BW and BL talking through The Last of Us, HBO's fungus apocalyptic series based on the hit video game of the same name. BW also pumps BL for information about what it's like to be a contestant on Australian Survivor. He is our immunity challenge-winning puzzle king! BW gets a preview of the charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent that will be on show at Miss First Nation: Supreme Queen which will be part of Sydney WorldPride 2023, with Miss First Nation founder and WorldPride First Nations Creative Director Ben Graetz, aka Miss Ellaneous, and 2021 Miss First Nation winner Cerulean. And Sydneysiders! Book now for Stop Everything's February 18 live show in Parramatta!

BW and BL are back from summer break and catching up on everything they watched over the holidays and everything they're keeping an eye on coming down the track. That means Singles Inferno season 2, Oscar nominations, US Congressman George Santos' web of lies and all the British monarchy tea spilled in Prince Harry's tell-all memoir Spare. You'll also hear from Dalisa Pigram and Rachael Swain, co-artistic directors of Marrugeku, Australia's Australia's leading Indigenous intercultural dance theatre company about their video project 'This is Australia', inspired by Childish Gambino's 2018 viral video 'This is America'.

We're diving into memoirs and memories with actor Richard E Grant and survivor and advocate Grace Tame. In A Pocketful of Happiness, Richard reflects on an acting career that's spanned Withnail and I to Spice World, Star Wars and beyond. He also grieves and pays tribute to his late wife, Joan Washington. In The Ninth Life of a Diamond Miner, 2021 Australian of the year Grace reclaims her story, in her words, and tells us what it was like to shoot to fame while processing the trauma of abuse.

It's a pop culture banquet starring Taika Waititi, Margaret Cho, Bowen Yang, Joel Kim Booster and writers and podcasters Phil Yu, aka Angry Asian Man and Jeff Yang, aka Hudson Yang from Fresh off the Boat's dad. Get an inside look behind screen hits Thor: Love and Thunder and Fire Island, and hear why Jeff, Phil and their co-author Phillip Wang poured their efforts into their book, Rise: a pop history of Asian America from the Nineties to Now.

Get ready to laugh with comedians Steph Tisdell, Zoë Coombs Marr (aka Dave) and superstar podcaster Deborah Frances-White of The Guilty Feminist podcast. Yidinji woman Steph studied journalism and law before deciding to embrace comedy's power for advocacy. Zoë tells us why she resurrected her Dave to talk about the other Daves (including Chappelle) and Deborah tells us she's a feminist but …

Meet two young women who’ve spoken out — sometimes at great personal cost — to start big, culture shifting conversations. Writer, editor, actor and disability activist Hannah Diviney shares why she decided to call out Lizzo, Beyoncé and Eminem for using an ableist slur in their song lyrics. And writer and activist Yassmin Abdel-Magied reflects on the fallout of a 2017 Facebook post in a new book of essays, Talking About a Revolution.

Tongue punch me in the fart box, let's kick off RN Summer on Stop Everything! by going back to school. It's a hat trick of high school nostalgia starting with Vidya Rajan and Stephen Nicolazzo on their stage adaptation of Melina Marchetta's classic novel, Looking for Alibrandi. Then hear from Ayesha Madon, James Majoos and Chloe Hayden, three young stars of Netflix's hit reboot of 90s drama Heartbreak High. Finally, theatre makers Diana Nguyen and Petra Kalive reflect on high school drama and trauma in their main stage adaptation of Alice Pung's award-winning novel, Laurinda.

We're wrapping the year in pop culture discourse with best friends of Stop Everything! Tahlea Aualiitia and Rudi Bremer, talking through the wins, fails, lols and sighs of 2022. The White Lotus season 2 has gone out with a bang and BW and BL are going all in on what happened. Skip ahead to 11:20 of this episode if you haven't caught up yet and don't want it to be spoiled. We're simultaneously over and underwhelmed by the first three hours of Harry & Meghan, and finally saying goodbye to Twitter Death WatchTM

Is the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's new Netflix documentary series a declaration of war against The Firm? BW and BL react to the trailers ahead of the release of volume one of Harry & Meghan. Hau Lātūkefu is an Aria award winner, music label boss, Australian hip hop trailblazer and mentor. He's also stepping back from Triple J's The Hip Hop show after 14 years behind the mic and reflecting on his life and history of Australian hip hop in a new memoir, King: Life, Death and Hop.

The fifth episode of The White Lotus season 2 has etched that line into our consciousness and we need to talk it out! If you haven't caught up to what's happening on the show, this is your spoiler alert. And comedy legend Judith Lucy talks about how she's overwhelmed, living, and doing her bit for climate change in the second season of her hit podcast

What do BL and BW think of news of Neighbours' premature resurrection, three months after its series finale? What is a nepo baby and what does the culture want from them? And how does Diego Luna's Cassian Andor give weight and gravitas to the Star Wars franchise's long running battle against the dark side? BL and BW also continue to monitor the bird site's vital signs as we move into Stop Everything's Twitter Death Watch, week three.

Settle in for an extended chat with award-winning musician Jen Cloher, who's in the House of Stop Everything! to share new music news — a new album, I Am the River, The River is Me — is arriving in early 2023. Jen talks about the significance of their new single, Mana Takatāpui, a loving tribute to queer Maori identity, and we get a poetry reading too. Content warning: the poetry reading contains a racial slur

Laugh, cry and bask in community with Ben, Bev, guests Jennifer Wong and Siang Lu, and a live audience from In Other Words at the OzAsia Festival. BW and BL also catch up on the latest developments since billionaire Elon Musk took over twitter and check out what’s tootin’ on mastodon.

This week we're highlighting two music supergroups with huge youth followings. For AusMusic Month, The Wiggles' Tsehay Hawkins and Lachie Gillespie reflect on a year that's included two national tours, winning JJJ's hottest 100 and a Rolling Stone cover. Then, Taylor, Zac and Isaac Hanson talk about their careers from mmmbop to the present.

Lettuce discuss Liz Truss, Taylor Swift, Leslie Jordan and The White Lotus, season two.

Billy Eichner brings his Billy on the Street comedy sensibility to his rom-com Bros, which marries nonstop celebrity cameos, gags and pop culture references with a thoughtful and emotionally anchored romantic connection with his co-star and romantic love interest Aaron, played by an exceptionally ripped Luke Macfarlane. Billy and Luke talk to Benjamin Law about Bros.

Ever since sexual assault survivor and advocate Grace Tame was declared Australian of the Year in 2021, she’s impacted how we talk and think about sexual violence. And yet, that’s also meant everyone’s also developed an opinion about her. In her new memoir, The Ninth Life of a Diamond Miner Grace tells her story, in her own words. She joins BL and BW to talk about the bittersweet process of healing through writing.

Stop Everything! Ben’s back and Beverley is catching him up with everything he missed while he was away for a very long time. Then it’s onto the Try Guys’ cheating scandal, Lizzo’s crystal flute performance and Björk’s fungus phase.

How did Australian musicians stretch themselves creatively during the pandemic? Hip hop artist Nooky started a new gig as host of triple J's first ever dedicated First Nations music show, Blak Out in 2021.

Tie me down kangaroo, it’s Spankie Jackzon on Stop Everything! The winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race season two calls in from Palmerston North, NZ and shares her Drag Race cover story, favourite shady moment on the show and advice for baby drag queens.

The FX hit show The Bear is finally available for Australian audiences and we are gnawing the meat straight off the bones of this unintentionally sexy show about Carmy's existential crisis at The Original Beef of Chicagoland. We're debriefing on The Emmys: the big wins, the speeches and surprising moments. Yidinji woman and award-winning comedian Steph Tisdell tells the backstory to her first gig, what she's learned from failing and why she chooses to use comedy for advocacy. And we're also paying tribute to the late great Uncle Jack Charles, actor, activist, survivor, author and beloved icon of Naarm. The Boon Wurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, Woiwurrung and Yorta Yorta senior Elder died at 79. Note: Uncle Jack's family have given permission for his name and image to be used.

Drama has followed the cast of Don't Worry Darling all the way to the premiere at the Venice Film Festival. Did Harry Styles spit on Chris Pine? What's the significance of Florence Pugh enjoying an Aperol spritz? And why is the internet turning on Olivia Wilde? It feels like a movie, a real go-to-the-theatre film movie. The first two episodes of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power have dropped on Amazon Prime. This billion-dollar project is the most expensive TV series ever made, but it's missing the original trilogy's director Peter Jackson. There's a notably more diverse cast among the elves, dwarves and harfoots, but it's prompting 'anti-woke' fans to come out of the woodwork. Also, meet Tsehay Hawkins and Lachie Gillespie from The Wiggles, who don the yellow and purple skivvies respectively. The musical group has gone through a bit of an evolution, with diverse identities added to the line-up, a #1 triple j hottest 100 hit, and playing to two audiences of kids and the adults who grew up watching them.

This week it’s all about celebrity — everything. Cameos: Shaquille O’Neal at the PM’s presser and Johnny Depp as the Moon man at the VMAS. Confessionals: Britney Spears’ voice memos on YouTube. Profiles: The Cut’s Allison P Davis’ long profile of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. And podcasts: Meghan’s new hit Spotify show, Archetypes. Also meet the cast of Netflix’s reboot of Heartbreak High. Ayesha Madon, Chloë Hayden and James Majoos, play Amerie, Quinni and Darren, the trio of friends at the centre of the drama.

We’re diving into two of the biggest shows on television: Succession and Game of Thrones. Actor Brian Cox weighs in on Logan Roy, the profane and brutal patriarch of the ultra-wealthy and dysfunctional Roy family, who he’s portrayed for three seasons on HBO’s Succession. Cox has been nominated for outstanding lead actor in a drama series at next month’s Emmy awards. What does he think of his on-screen alter ego and his children?

We’re not hearing any apologies from the former PM over the revelation that he held five secret ministry portfolios during the final two years of his government. But we are saying sorry to Freya the Walrus, lately of Oslo Fjörd. We got in her space, anthropomorphised her, made her an Internet star, and then — we killed her.  We’re also reflecting on the apology that took 50 years to be made to Native American actor and activist Sacheen Littlefeather, who spoke on stage at the 1973 Academy Awards in Marlon Brando’s place.

Let’s BeReal — Prey, the latest addition to the Predator series is brilliant and we are here to sing its praises. The sci-fi thriller skilfully blends speculative fiction, settler violence and a First Nations-centred perspective, resulting in a fresh take on an established franchise dating back to 1987.  

We’re paying our respects to Gunditjmara (Kirrae Whurrong/Djab Wurrung), Bundjalung Senior Elder, song man and storyteller Archie Roach. Celeste Mountjoy, the artist behind instagram’s filthyratbag, tells us about her new and darkly funny book, What the Fuck is This, that joins the dots between her art and her personal experiences.   Tahlea Aualiitia’s filling in for Ben Law and wants to talk about sex: Netflix’s interior design x sex positivity series How to Build a Sex Room and Beyoncé’s hot and sweaty queer culture and 90’s dance-inspired album, Renaissance.  Finally — a wee review of the Brad Pitt vehicle, Bullet Train.

It’s an emotional roller coaster this week with so many moments to process: the reassuring promise of the Wakanda Forever trailer; Joni Mitchell’s tear jerking performance of Both Sides Now at the Newport Folk Festival, the horror of a mandatory participation puppetry wedding; the unsettling confusion of Nathan Fielder’s new HBO show, The Rehearsal. Natalie Abbott, the breakout star of ABC TV comedy Aftertaste, drops in to chat about comedy, family dysfunction and culinary satire in the show’s second season.

We’re living the romcom life talking about J.Lo and Ben Affleck’s wedding and the latest adaptation of Jane Austen’s Persuasion. Is there any symbolism to the fact that Ben got ready in a toilet? And BW acknowledges a long-held truth of her heart — that she, in fact, loves J.Lo. Long-lasting love is also at the heart of Jane Austen’s Persuasion. Stop Everything’s romance critic Rudi Bremer tells us what she thinks of Netflix’s latest adaptation, starring Dakota Johnson as Anne Elliott. Also, BL is thrilled by the darkness of Borgen: Power and Glory, BW spills some still-forming thoughts on Where the Crawdads Sing and they both ponder the case of Harrison the TikToker vs Maree in Melbourne.

Melina Marchetta’s coming-of-age classic about “the curse”, boys, the HSCs and growing up an “ethnic” in Australia turns 30 this year. A new stage adaptation of Looking for Alibrandi written by Vidya Rajan and directed by Stephen Nicolazzo, reframes the beloved story with a sharper focus on the three Alibrandi women. How does the story hold up in 2022, and what’s the symbolism of all those tomatoes?  Five years ago, Yassmin Abdel Magied’s six-word an Anzac Day Facebook post set off a culture war that ultimately led the engineer and social advocate to leave Australia for the UK. BW checks in with Yassmin, whose new essay collection, Talking About a Revolution, looks back at the events of 2017 and beyond. Show Notes: Looking for Alibrandi on Stage or Book Yassmin Abdel-Magied - Talking About a Revolution

It’s time to Get up, stand up, show up- the theme for NAIDOC week 2022.  Stop Everything presents highlights celebrating the depth of talent from First Nations creatives working in music, television and theatre. BL is joined by BARKAA, a Malyangapa Barkindji woman from Western New South Wales signed to Briggs’ Bad Apples Music label to talk about the Blak Matriarchy she belongs to. BL + BW dig into the ABC show, All My Friends are Racist with co stars, Davey Thomson and Tuuli Narkle and award winning screenwriter, Kodie Bedford, discusses the AMC+ original series Firebite, a supernatural series set in an underground mining town in central Australia where First Nations vampire slayers battle a colony of white vampires. Show notes: BARKAA: https://www.barkaa.com.au/ Stop Everything with BARKAA: https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/stop-everything/barkaa-blak-matriarchy/13636952 Stop Everything with Davey Thomson and Tuuli Narkle: https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/stop-everything/all-my-friends-are-racist/13503708 Stop Everything with Kodie Bedford: https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/stop-everything/kodie-bedford-joe-rogan/13749530

He’s been at the top of Stop Everything!’s interview wish list for awhile and we got him: Taika Waititi talks to Ben Law about his latest film for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thor: Love and Thunder, the follow up to Thor: Ragnarok. Podcaster Helen Zaltzman catches up with BW to talk about The Allusionist’s upcoming tour of Australia and Auckland, and her recap podcast, Veronica Mars Investigations. We also take a look at how celebs and the Internet have been reacting to the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe V Wade. Show notes: Roe V Wade overturned: an explainer: https://www.npr.org/2022/06/24/1107396510/roe-v-wade-is-overturned Musical artists at Glastonbury react to Roe V Wade decision: https://www.instagram.com/p/CfTMnUFvOuM Margaret Atwood on Roe V Wade: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/05/supreme-court-roe-handmaids-tale-abortion-margaret-atwood/629833/ Jia Tolentino on Roe V Wade overturned: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/07/04/we-are-not-going-back-to-the-time-before-roe-we-are-going-somewhere-worse The Allusionist Australia + Auckland tour: https://www.theallusionist.org/events The Allusionist The Egg’s Warning: https://www.theallusionist.org/allusionist/kinderegg Veronica Mars Investigations: https://vmipod.com/ Helen Zaltzman and Kristen Bell on Bullseye: https://www.npr.org/2022/02/07/1078982975/kristen-bell Helen Zaltzman on Home Cooking: https://homecooking.show/episodes/14

We’re talking about new releases from superstars Beyoncé and JLo and chatting with silver Logie winner and ABC sweetheart Tony Armstrong and Gruen’s Wil Anderson. Break My Soul is Beyoncé’s first single off her upcoming album Renaissance, Halftime documents JLo’s blazing run as she campaigned for an award for Hustlers and prepared for the Super Bowl halftime show in the same year.  Tony Armstrong tells us where he’s keeping his Logie and Ben Law ventures into the fourth dimension for Jurassic World: Dominion. Show notes: Break My Soul lyrics: https://genius.com/Beyonce-break-my-soul-lyrics JLo and Shakira’s Super Bowl Halftime show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pILCn6VO_RU Tony Armstrong’s Logies acceptance speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YkqvzvlbTg Gruen: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/gruen

The media debacle around Rebel Wilson’s coming out has implications for journalism, LGBTQIA+ safety and the right to privacy. The story’s travelled far and wide with everyone from Whoopi Goldberg to Magda Szubanski weighing in. Among many questions we’re asking — what’s the place of gossip columns in newspapers these days? We know it’s cold outside, so we have a couple of winter warmers to keep you company as you snuggle down in your doona fort on the couch.  With the Logies around the corner, revisit double nominee New Gold Mountain with director Corrie Chen and series lead Yoson An.  And we catch up Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan, aka Daniels, writers and directors of the A24 action-sci-fi-comedy-family dramedy Everything Everywhere All at Once. Show notes: Rebel Wilson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CelyiLZLHa2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Magda Szubanski on Rebel Wilson’s coming out, from RN Breakfast: https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/magda-szubanski-on-coming-out-in-public/13929900 Co-hosts of The View discuss the Rebel Wilson story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngsPGfv9qs8 SMH columnist Andrew Hornery’s apology: https://www.smh.com.au/culture/celebrity/i-made-mistakes-over-rebel-wilson-and-will-learn-from-them-20220613-p5at9e.html Sydney Morning Herald editor tells staff he wouldn’t have ‘outed’ Rebel Wilson if she didn’t respond to the paper’s request: https://www.crikey.com.au/2022/06/14/smh-editor-tells-staff-he-wouldnt-have-outed-wilson-without-comment/ The Rebel Wilson story is a statement about the SMH’s news culture — and that’s a big problem: https://www.crikey.com.au/2022/06/15/rebel-wilson-story-statement-about-the-smhs-news-culture/ New Gold Mountain original Stop Everything episode: https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/stop-everything/harry-styles-shania-twain/13849270 Daniels’ original Stop Everything! episode: https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/stop-everything/harry-styles-shania-twain/13849270

Lettuce discuss the rising cost of living, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Fire Island and Stranger Things 4. Ben talks to queer comedy icon Margaret Cho, SNL favourite Bowen Yang and rising comedy star and now glossy magazine cover boy Joel Kim Booster about gay romcom Fire Island and explains why the queer-POC centred film has been criticised for failing the Bechdel test. BW and BL talk through all the pop culture moments happening in international seats of power: Buckingham Palace, the White House and the Indonesian Presidential Palace. Finally, we’re running up that hill with Stranger Things 4, the latest season of Netflix’s ‘80s nostalgia-soaked sci-fi horror fantasy show. Show notes: Kate called out over Louis’ behaviour: https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/royals/kate-called-out-over-louis-behaviour-you-have-no-control-of-your-children/news-story/cabe07de8c8988d2fc34e40b88222405 The Queen and Paddington: https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/queen-thrills-crowds-with-paddington-bear-skit-for-platinum-jubilee-20220605-p5ar4y.html BTS at the White House: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg6lQac41HA Matthew McConaughey at the White House: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMGcgWDcJqw Joko Widodo and Anthony Albanese state visit: https://twitter.com/jokowi/status/1534001660732723200?s=20&t=konsgIRcrW_iE9kbhaCjdA Fire Island and the Bechdel test: https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2022/06/07/hanna-rosin-apologizes-controversial-tweet-hulu-fire-island-bechdel-test/10004388002/

Post Covid Beverley returns to the warm embrace of Stop Everything and Benjamin Law. This week BL and BW discuss their ambivalence for ‘First Dog’ Toto Albanese’s social media presence, the etiquette of the Swedish dinner discourse and the return of old televisual IP: Borgen, Willow and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Also hear from UK-born, Perth-raised electronic music producer and vocalist Kučka who’s back in Australia for headline shows at the Sydney Opera House. Kučka chats with BW about collaborations, covers and making her mark in the music industry. Show notes: Kučka on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv_PePyKrERL_YMjcYa6ZPQ Kučka’s Vivid show: https://www.vividsydney.com/event/music/kucka-vivid-live Musical artists pushback against making TikToks: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamkucka?lang=en Swedish dinner discourse: https://twitter.com/SamQari/status/1529868644846641153?s=20&t=ZmOyLBSRFdhHXpE8bHQVSA Borgen’s back: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/may/30/borgen-again-the-most-prescient-show-on-tv-is-back-and-still-working-its-magic?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other Willow trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbbveDpUZv4 Obi-Wan Kenobi: https://disneyplusoriginals.disney.com/show/obi-wan-kenobi

This week, Benjamin Law is joined by guest co-host Tahlea Aualiitia to talk about creating and finding joy in safe spaces.   Award winning podcast host and comedian Deborah Frances-White dials in from “The Guilty Feminist” to talk about comedy, activism and peeing outdoors. Ben and Tali discuss the charming and wholesome innocence of Netflix’s Heartstopper and how Stan’s RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Winners is a winner, baby. Meanwhile, the TIME 100: The Most Influential People of 2022 list is out… and somehow Ben hasn’t been included. Show notes: Time 100 list: https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2022/ The Guilty Feminist: https://guiltyfeminist.com/

Logie nominated ABC series The Newsreader is a late 20th century period drama about sexual politics, egos and the stories that shaped our consciousness in the mid 1980s. Co-creator and writer Michael Lucas and series writer Kim Ho take us behind the scenes of the series. MasterChef judge and Logie nominee Melissa Leong talks about how life has changed since stepping into one of the most coveted TV foodie jobs. Cantopopstar and pro democracy activist Denise Ho discusses music as a form of  protest. Show notes: Denise Ho arrested: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/denise-ho-arrest-1.6450291 Logie nominations: https://www.pedestrian.tv/entertainment/logie-2022-nominations-list/

This week Ben and Bev discuss the #WrongAsianing of Labor candidate for Reid, Sally Sitou, why these incidents cut deep and wonder why apologies can be so hard to come by when they happen. We shove Whovians Rhianna Patrick and Ahmed Yussuf into a Tardis for their take on the news that Sex Education’s super charismatic Ncuti Gatwa will be Dr Who’s 14th Time Lord.  After falling into a coma in 2016, Dave has risen. Comedian Zoë Coombs Marr tells us why her alter ego Dave is the man we need for the times we’re living through.   Also: Hacks is back for its second season — does it live up to expectations? Show notes  Dr Fiona Martin and Sally Sitou clash in 2GB on-air debate: https://www.2gb.com/fiery-debate-the-live-on-air-battle-for-reid/ Ncuti Gatwa cast as new Dr Who: https://www.salon.com/2022/05/09/doctor-ncuti-gatwa-education/ Brett Worthington on lies and the death of shame in Australian politics: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-10/election-2022-morrison-deves-trans-albanese-minimum-wage/101052710 Zoë Coombs Marr at the Brisbane Comedy Festival: https://www.brisbanecomedyfestival.com/artists/zoe-marr/ Stop Everything! discussion of Hacks season one: https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/stop-everything/all-my-friends-are-racist/13503708 Stop Everything! Discussion on Dave Chappelle’s The Closer: https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/stop-everything/bimini-bon-boulash/13597532

This week it’s all about curry, capes and … sex clubs. The PM’s social media obsession with posting his curries hit new highs of engagement when the internet noticed the chicken in his questionably-garnished korma was also questionably cooked. Is the curry discourse a distraction, or can we talk about curry and scrutinise the campaign at the same time? For those who observe, the first Monday in May is known as Met Gala Day. This year’s theme of ‘Gilded Glamour’ had celebrities turning up in capes and tails. Kim Kardashian went to extreme lengths to fit into Marilyn Monroe’s famous ‘Happy Birthday Mr President’ dress and her mother, Kris Jenner, dressed up like Jackie O. Yumi Stynes drops by to chat about season "Sex" of ABC podcast Ladies, We Need to Talk and how she gets women to open up on taboo topics.  Finally, BW and BL dig into Severance. Show notes: PM Scott Morrison’s curry: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=554652889363411&set=pb.100044561133947.-2207520000 Vogue Met Gala live blog: https://www.vogue.com/live/met-gala-2022-live-updates?id=6270643b5993216c48e1b303 Severance: https://www.theverge.com/23015650/severance-season-1-review-apple-tv-plus Ladies, We Need to Talk: https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/ladies-we-need-to-talk/ 5 minute food fix: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/5-minute-food-fix/id1619052425 BW’s dossier of politicians and food PM Scott Morrison’s curry https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=554652889363411&set=pb.100044561133947.-2207520000 US President George HW Bush vomits at Japanese state banquet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_KVL-wtpgg Kevin Rudd eats earwax https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/national/kevin-rudd-eats-ear-wax-during-question-time/video/da459b74ae8021d23c754afe0e98a0c2 Tony Abbott eats bites into a raw onion https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/mar/13/tony-abbott-eats-raw-onion Ed Milliband eats bacon sandwich https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ed-miliband-bacon-sandwich_n_5bbe27b0e4b01470d0580898 Bill Shorten eats sausage side-on https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/federal-election-2016-bill-shorten-confounds-by-eating-sausage-sizzle-from-side-20160702-gpwwpi.html Scott Morrison addresses Engadine Maccas rumour https://www.kiis1065.com.au/entertainment/scott-morrison-finally-clears-up-what-happened-at-the-engadine-maccas/ Michaelia Cash’s “curry for the country” https://www.pedestrian.tv/news/michaelia-cash-curry-country/

This week, BW and BL writhe their way through their feelings about the world’s richest man’s moves to buy twitter. BL shares his bulging dossier documenting the rise of full frontal male nudity on television, and what to make of it.  Meanwhile in Australia, Jimmy Rees, formerly known as Jimmy Giggle, discusses exploring Australian history via the world of miniatures in Tiny Oz, life after Jimmy Giggle and how he reinvented his career as a social media comedian during the pandemic. Show notes: Tiny Oz: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/tiny-oz#:~:text=Comedian%20Jimmy%20Rees%20and%20tiny,ABC%20iview%20and%20ABC%20TV. Jimmy Rees: https://www.jimmyrees.com.au/ Jimmy Rees TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jimmyrees?lang=en Elon Musk’s twitter takeover: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/apr/25/five-things-in-elon-musks-in-tray-after-twitter-takeover https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/25/business/elon-musk-twitter-trump-return.html Ben Law’s full frontal dossier: https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a39583817/minx-hbo-taylor-zakhar-perez-full-frontal-nudity-prosthetic-penis/ https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/03/minx-euphoria-tvs-increase-in-full-frontal-male-nudity-prosthetics https://sea.mashable.com/culture/17369/heres-why-youve-been-seeing-more-and-more-dicks-on-tv

We're all over Everything Everywhere All at Once, the multiverse-hopping sci fi action movie starring Michelle Yeoh as Evelyn Wang, an exhausted mother and business owner with a tax problem. You'll hear from Daniels, also known as Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, the filmmaking creative forces behind EEAO. BW and BL also share their review. Also discussed: Harry Styles and Shania Twain at Coachella, worshipping Jesus Christ at 30,000 feet in the air and the Japanese toddler errand-runners of Old Enough. Show notes: Everything Everywhere All at Once: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/everything_everywhere_all_at_once Ke Huy Quan: From Short Round to Romantic Lead in Just Four Long Decades: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/05/movies/ke-huy-quan-everything-everywhere.html Michelle Yeoh breaks down her most iconic characters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHOSiFzcHJ8&t=913s Worshipping our King Jesus 30 thousand feet in the air!:https://www.tiktok.com/@jackjenszjr/video/7084616506868387114 Coachella YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHF66aWLOxBW4l6VkSrS3cQ Old Enough: https://www.netflix.com/title/81506279 Ben and Bev curate iview: https://iview.abc.net.au/collection/guest-curators-ben-bev

This long weekend we’re going red red red. First up, Oscar-winning director Domee Shi on Turning Red, about 13-year-old Meilin Lee’s  struggle to tame her inner Red Panda. Shi is the first woman to direct a feature-length film for Pixar, and talks to BW + BL about the film’s setting in her hometown of Toronto, Canada, and the universal themes in Turning Red’s coming-of-age story. Then, Billy Porter — fashion’s king of the red carpet — joins the House of Stop Everything! The Emmy, Tony and Grammy-award winner discusses his 2021 memoir Unprotected, his life-changing role as Pose’s Pray Tell and the importance of fashion.  Show notes: Domee Shi: https://www.instagram.com/domeeshi Turning Red: https://www.disneyplus.com/movies/turning-red/4mFPCXJi7N2m Bao: https://www.disneyplus.com/movies/bao/2NOY3PbUN9os Bill Porter: https://www.instagram.com/theebillyporter Billy Porter Emmy acceptance speech: https://www.emmys.com/video/71st-emmy-awards-billy-porter-wins-outstanding-lead-actor-drama-series Unprotected, By Billy Porter: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/19/books/review/unprotected-billy-porter.html

This week we’re baffled by a few things: A viral thread on ‘mind hacks’ for dealing with Gen X weirdos  Louis C.K. Grammy win for best comedy album in which he talks about how masturbating in front of people is “his thing”  The fourth and final season of Killing Eve, but we’re also kind of OK with that? And Aaron Blabey — the New York Times-bestselling kids author talks about the Dreamworks Animation feature based on his hugely popular graphic novel series The Bad Guys, and how he stays connected to things that make 6-year-olds laugh. Show notes: Generation X is weird: https://twitter.com/girdley/status/1511316479106453511?s=20&t=S-UG4yhBD6V1_9j_XMW5eA Louis CK’s Grammy win: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/05/arts/television/louis-ck-grammy-backlash.html Aaron Blabey: https://www.aaronblabey.com/ Killing Eve: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/killing-eve

We’re talking about what happened at the Oscars when Chris Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett-Smith’s shaved head. We can’t stop thinking about Will Smith slapping Rock on live television, his Oscars acceptance speech and all the commentary that has ensued in the aftermath. Then comedian Rhys Nicholson is our guest. Rhys talks about why he’s not mentioning the pandemic in his new comedy show and what it’s like to be a judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under.  Show notes: Will Smith slaps Chris Rock at the Oscars: https://twitter.com/CaseyBriggs/status/1508275968531918848 Will Smith Oscars acceptance speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSmZ5Sdqf8s Will Smith apology: https://www.instagram.com/p/CbqmaY1p7Pz/ Sheila Bridges Good Hair post: https://www.instagram.com/tv/Cbpkco4DFlY/ Chris Rock 2016 Oscars opening monologue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqhVNZgZGqQ Rhys Nicholson: https://rhysnicholson.com.au/

Stop being poor: Ziwe remixes Kim Kardashian’s Work anthem. Arnold Schwarzenegger appeals to Russian soldiers. Amy Schumer has some Ukraine jokes ready for the Oscars. And we raise our margarita glasses in solidarity with Lisa Wilkinson, a woman enjoying a solo dinner out.  We’re also covering two major screen releases this week. Ben Law talks to the creative forces behind the Apple TV adaptation of Pachinko, the blockbuster novel by Min Jin Lee. Hear from Soo Hugh, creator and executive producer, and Justin Chon and Kogonada, the series co-directors. Then RN’s resident distinguished professor of bodice ripping, Rudi Bremer, shares her review of season two of Bridgerton and why it may be necessary to lower our Great Sexpectations™ compared to season one Show notes: Ziwe: Stop Being Poor: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CbNO2TDF8yM/ Lisa Wilkinson’s solo dinner: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-10622283/Lisa-Wilkinson-sips-margarita-dines-restaurant-Melbourne.html Amy Schumer wants Zelenskyy cameo for Oscars: https://variety.com/2022/film/news/amy-schumer-zelenskyy-oscars-1235210388/ Arnold Schwarzenegger’s appeal to Russian soldiers: https://twitter.com/Schwarzenegger/status/1504426844199669762 Pachinko: https://tv.apple.com/us/show/pachinko/umc.cmc.17vf6g68dy89kk1l1nnb6min4 Bridgerton: https://www.netflix.com/watch/80232920

Can you tell me who will still care … about MMMBop?  We do!  Twenty-five years after Hanson burst into pop music with their smash hit MMMBop, we’re looking at the lyrics and nodding sagely at the brothers’ precocious wisdom.  Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson talk to BL and BW about breaking into the music industry as children, their 30th year together as a band and what they see as their creative higher purpose.  We’re also picking through award-winning NZ director Jane Campion’s milkshake duck weekend and talking about how she went from good viral — slapping down Sam Elliott’s take on The Power of The Dog — to bad viral — telling Venus and Serena Williams they’ve never had to compete against men, like she does.  Show notes: Sam Elliott on Marc Maron’s WTF: http://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episode-1309-sam-elliott Jane Campion calls Sam Elliott a B-I-T-C-H: https://variety.com/2022/film/news/jane-campion-says-sam-elliott-is-being-a-b-i-t-c-h-with-slam-against-the-power-of-the-dog-1235203098/ Jane Campion Critics Choice acceptance speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9FhvBwM6P0&t=1s Hanson Red Blue Green : https://hanson.net/news/3991-hanson-announce-2022-red-green-blue-world-tour-and-new-album MMMBop Basement session: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ3qChwjp_k Melanie Lynskey Critics Choice acceptance speech: https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a39429190/yellowjackets-melanie-lynskey-critics-choice-awards-2022/ Melanie Lynskey profile: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/feb/24/oh-my-god-im-having-sex-again-yellowjackets-melanie-lynskey-on-raunch-rage-and-her-rival-kate-winslet

This week we’re gorging on Byron Baes and falling in love with Turning Red. Domee Shi, director of Pixar’s Turning Red, talks to BW and BL about family, feelings, red pandas and her passion for animation. Then BW and BL brew up some cacao, gather their sound bowls and drape themselves in neutral linens for the release of Byron Baes, Netflix’s new unscripted reality series following the feuds and aspirations of a group of up-and-coming influencers in Byron Bay.  Show notes: Brigid Delaney on Shane Warne: www.theguardian.com/sport/commentisfree/2022/mar/05/shane-warne-dead-but-he-was-immortal-he-was-never-meant-to-die Turning Red: www.disneyplus.com/movies/turning-red/4mFPCXJi7N2m Vanity Fair feature on Byron Bay murfers: https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2019/07/the-coast-of-utopia-surfer-moms-instagram-influencers Food Bank: https://www.foodbank.org.au/QLD/flood-emergency-appeal/?state=qld Australian Red cross: https://www.redcross.org.au/floodsappeal/ Koori Mail flood relief for Bundjalung rural and isolated communities: https://gofund.me/26ef7126 Resilient Byron crowdfunder (registered charity): https://www.resilientbyron.org/ Sikh Volunteers Australia: https://www.sikhvolunteersaustralia.org/

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine prompted a former star of 90210 to share her spoken word fantasy about being Vladimir Putin’s mother; the new Batman movie starring Robert Pattinson and Zoë Kravitz is chock full of daddy issues. Both choices have us clawing at our faces and asking why, a thousand times WHY? Luckily we rise above it all with two GOATS of Asian American pop culture criticism, Jeff Yang, journalist and columnist, and Phil Yu, founder of the Angry Asian Man blog. Along with filmmaker Philip Wang, they’ve written Rise: A Pop History of Asian America from the Nineties to Now.  Show notes: AnnaLynne McCord’s Dear Mr President Vladimir Putin: https://twitter.com/IAMannalynnemcc/status/1496877541772062727 Wired: How Tiktok was designed for war: https://www.wired.com/story/ukraine-russia-war-tiktok/ How to spot fake or misleading footage claiming to be from Ukraine: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/how-to-spot-fake-or-misleading-footage-on-social-media-claiming-to-be-from-the-ukraine-war Rise: a pop history of Asian America from the nineties to now: https://www.harpercollins.com.au/9780358581888/rise/ Jeff Yang: https://twitter.com/originalspin Angry Asian Man: http://blog.angryasianman.com/ They Call Us Bruce: https://theycallusbruce.libsyn.com/ The Batman: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_batman

This week BL + BW take on the big questions: Is Julia Fox Ye’s muse, and why is everyone around you suddenly saying ‘uncah jahmz’ with comical levels of vocal fry? Will we survive the coming vibe shift? And is it cheugy to be worrying about this? What’s behind Kirsty Webeck, comedian, Cool Change Ambassador ‘getting a tit out?’ [her words] on twitter? Why does second season of Starstruck torture its devoted fans? How much do we love Ali Wong’s delightfully horny new comedy special Don Wong? And … what the heck are these ‘show notes’ we speak of? Show notes: Call her Daddy: Julia Fox on Being Ye’s Muse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m82xA2y7iE8 TikTok’s uncah jahmz https://www.tiktok.com/@dumbmackenzie/video/7064087406340902190 https://www.tiktok.com/@joeydardano/video/7064707986937335087 https://www.tiktok.com/@twingirlpeeks/video/7065068279412477231 A Vibe Shift is Coming, Will Any of Us Survive it? https://www.thecut.com/2022/02/a-vibe-shift-is-coming.html Kirsty Webeck: https://www.kirstywebeck.com/ Kirsty Webeck twitter: https://twitter.com/KirstyWebeck Starstruck: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/starstruck Ali Wong: Don Wong: https://www.netflix.com/watch/81140667

Ahead of her return to the Eurovision — Australia Decides, Jaguar Jonze talks to BW about song writing, how she plans to bring the drama to the Eurovision stage, and her pivotal role in sparking off the MeToo movement in the Australian music industry. Jaguar also gives us an update on the national review of the music industry, which is now accepting confidential submissions. We’re looking at two portrayals of LA in pop culture.  First, the Superbowl LVI Halftime Show featuring hip hop legends Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Eminem and Queen of RnB Mary J Blige blew the roof off Inglewood’s SoFi stadium. Was it a joyous, and hopefully healing moment, for the tested relationship between the NFL and Black America? Second, BW reviews Bel-Air, a dramatic re-envisioning of 90s classic sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air And BW + BL wear out carpet next to their respective beds praying for Wordle and the unfairly maligned ukulele. Show notes: Jaguar Jonze instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaguarjonze SBS Eurovision — Australia Decides: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=EUROVISI22 Jaguar Jonze Little Fires: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNcS3W94bUM Australian music industry review: https://musicindustryreview.com.au/ Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdsUKphmB3Y 2019 Bel-Air trailer by Morgan Cooper: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAfJpyBgcgA Bel-Air: https://www.stan.com.au/watch/bel-air Morgan Cooper on his vision for Bel-Air: https://www.looper.com/768411/bel-air-director-morgan-cooper-on-how-his-creative-vision-led-to-will-smiths-endorsement-exclusive-interview/ Pam and Tommy: https://www.disneyplus.com/series/pam-tommy/1N8HLsr8QjUj Pam and Tommy turns trauma into entertainment: https://theconversation.com/dont-watch-pam-and-tommy-the-series-turns-someones-trauma-into-entertainment-176844

Another week, another Joe Rogan instagram video to experience! Spotify’s number one podcaster took to the ‘gram for the second time in a week to explain himself, after a video compilation of him repeatedly using the n-word during his podcast resurfaced online. The video was shared by musical artist India Arie who has pulled her music from the streaming service in protest. Rogan has apologised and clarified that he now understands why it’s unacceptable to use the word. Is this a teachable moment, as he hopes it will be? And will this be the end of our weekly segment on what’s happening in Rogan’s world? Screenwriter and Buffy the Vampire Slayer aficionado Kodie Bedford talks about the cathartic, empowering joy of working on Firebite, the AMC+ series about First Nations vampire slayers battling a colony of white, underground vampires in a fictionalised Cooper Pedy. Finally, BL explores his very mixed feelings about the hideous yet addictive mess that is Sex and the City’s And Just Like That... #Justice For Steve. Show notes: India Arie on Joe Rogan and Spotify: https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17847040100721530/ Joe Rogan insta video on the n word: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CZlnH8MAb8L About Firebite:https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-13/warwick-thornton-tv-series-firebite-indigenous-vampire-hunters/100695920 Watch Firebite : https://www.amcplus.com/pages/firebite

BW and BL experience Joe Rogan’s video statement responding to the backlash against his hit podcast. We weigh up Rogan’s $100 million exclusivity deal with Spotify against music legends Neil Young and Joni Mitchell’s decisions to pull their music from the streaming service over COVID-19 misinformation. The star podcaster says he will try to do better balancing “controversial opinions” [ie wrong statements] about COVID-19 with expert opinions. Is that good enough?  Beloved comedian, author and podcaster Cal Wilson talks about getting ejected from the jungle, the deep friendships formed during her stint on I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! and how she strives to make comedy kind. Finally, step behind the velvet rope and go on an escapade with Janet Jackson, who’s telling her story in a new four-part documentary. Show notes: Joe Rogan’s video message: https://www.instagram.com/p/CZYQ_nDJi6G/ Science Vs Joe Rogan: https://www.instagram.com/p/CZYQ_nDJi6G/ Spotify CEO’s statement on COVID-19 content: https://newsroom.spotify.com/2022-01-30/spotifys-platform-rules-and-approach-to-covid-19/ Cal Wilson instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calbowilson/ Cal Wilson twitter: https://twitter.com/calbo Janet Jackson documentary: https://www.stan.com.au/watch/janet-jackson

Only legends on the first new episode of Stop Everything! for 2022. Hear from Nooky, proud Yuin and Thungutti man, rapper and host of Blak Out on Triple J about his new track Run Dingo, new platform We are Warriors, and the power of hip hop and visibility.  BW and BL also reflect on the reactions around Grace Tame’s viral Jan 25 photo op with Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the also-viral takedown on The Project by host Carrie Bickmore and Guardian Australia journalist Amy Remeikis of political journalist Peter van Onselen, who wrote that the 2021 Australian of the Year was “ungracious, rude and childish, refusing to smile for the cameras.” And what are some five-letter words for healing through play? We love Wordle, the lo-fi online word game that’s taken our omicron-riddled, RAT-scare world by storm. Show notes: Blak Out: https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/blak-out/ We Are Warriors: https://www.wearewarriors.com.au/ Carrie Bickmore, Amy Remeikis and Peter van Onselen on The Project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qia8p5fRJwo Wordle: https://www.powerlanguage.co.uk/wordle/ Wordle is a Love Story: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/03/technology/wordle-word-game-creator.html

New Zealand’s wellness-horror-comedy Creamerie and Australia’s 80s newsroom drama The Newsreader couldn’t be more different, but both are examples of top-shelf locally made series. Go behind the scenes of both shows with Creamerie writer-director Roseanne Liang and co-creator and cast member Perlina Lau, and The Newsreader’s co-creator and writer Michael Lucas and series writer Kim Ho. 1800 Respect: https://www.1800respect.org.au/ Lifeline 13 11 14

Let’s revisit one of Stop Everything’s most popular interviews of 2021: our celebrity memoir book club with National Trinket, Shane Jenek, aka Courtney Act. Brisbane-born Shane is known around the world as drag queen Courtney Act. Courtney’s appeared on Australian Idol, RuPaul’s Drag Race, The Bi Life, Dancing with the Stars, One Plus One on ABC TV and even a segment on ABC Kids talking to children about gender. Shane joins Stop Everything! to talk about his memoir, Caught in the Act, with reflections on being gender fluid, coming out, life as Courtney and plenty of S-E-X.

Hello 2022! Please be kind. Our offering for the new year is a closer look at local versions of international reality TV blockbusters: Drag Race and The Real Housewives, aka brand Benjamin Law. First up, RuPaul’s ride-or-die Michelle Visage dropped by ahead of the inaugural season of Drag Race Down Under. Then, Brian Moylan on his tell-all book about the Real Housewives reality TV empire, followed by actual Real Housewives of Melbourne, Jackie Gillies and Cherry Dipietrantonio.

Settle in for deep and meaningful chats with two of our favourite Stop Everything! guests of 2021: screenwriter and director Steven Canals and singer, songwriter and artist Ngaiire. Steven reflects on the end of Pose, the award-winning series hailed as ground breaking for trans representation. Steven shares what it was like to be in the room when series lead Billy Porter shared his HIV status with the cast and crew of Pose, and his view of the current TV landscape. Ngaiire discusses the release of her long-awaited album ‘3’ which puts her Papua New Guinean roots front and centre in a conversation covering music, motherhood, home and breaking free of industry expectations.

Remember that window in 2021 when there were few covid cases, no lockdowns and people could travel across state borders? Yeah! That actually happened, and during that blessed window, we hosted a show, live, from the Sydney Writers Festival. Ok sure, BW was beamed in via a giant screen on stage, but three out of four people on a stage ain’t bad. In this RN summer highlight, BW + BL talk to Carly Findlay, editor of Growing Up Disabled in Australia, and Sam van Zweden, the author of Eating With My Mouth Open in a conversation covering the body, disability, fatness – and the medicalisation, language and politics around these things. If you need support or to talk to someone. The Butterfly Foundation is a site where you can find resources for eating disorders and body image: www.butterfly.org.au Lifeline is also available 24 hours: https://www.lifeline.org.au/

The long-awaited revival of Sex and the City is out! How are Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte faring in 2021 without Samantha? Trigger, er we mean spoiler warning — BW and BL talk about And Just Like That’s woke moments, deaths, diversity, and podcast developments.  Also: Jenna Guillaume shares her top #Christmance movies and BL and BW trade notes on memorable pop culture moments of 2021. Show notes: Kim Catrall not a part of the revival and in the past has been openly scathing of Sarah Jessica Parker: https://www.instyle.com/celebrity/kim-cattrall/kim-cattrall-response-samantha-absence-and-just-like-that A cardiologist responds: Should Carrie have called 911? https://www.vulture.com/article/and-just-like-that-big-death-carrie-911-call.html Jenna Guillaume’s 2021 Christmance thread: https://twitter.com/JennaGuillaume/status/1465613521475944450?s=20

We watched a lot of TV in 2021. We’re looking back at shows we loved and the TV moments staining our memories [hello Armond from The White Lotus]. We’re also talking about the TV culture shifts we noticed in 2021, the TV we want to see more of in 2022, and the TV we’re happy to toss in the bin. Featuring two friends of Stop Everything: Patrick Lenton deputy arts and culture editor at The Conversation and a former editor of Junkee, and Hannah Reich, Arts on RN/ABC Arts digital producer.  Show notes: Jeremy Strong profile on the New Yorker: www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/12/13/on-succession-jeremy-strong-doesnt-get-the-joke? Patrick Lenton's best TV shows of 2021: https://junkee.com/best-tv-shows-2021/317003 Hacks review: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-11/hacks-on-stan-with-jean-smart-nominated-for-emmys/100446534 Hannah Reich dissects The White Lotus: www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-04/the-white-lotus-mike-white-hbo-tv-series/100420922 Mare of Easttown: www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-20/mare-of-easttown-kate-winslet-tv-miniseries/100145988 Recapping RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-01/rupaul-s-drag-race-down-under-drag-queen-reality-tv/100091256 It’s a Sin: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-14/its-a-sin-stan-series-hiv-aids-crisis-sex-grief-joy/13127122 Hannah's top pick for Australian TV in 2021- Bump: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-24/stan-bump-australia-tv-series-claudia-karvan/13074518

It’s the year 10191. We’re folding time and space and going deep on the science fiction classic, Dune. We start with Frank Herbert’s best-selling 1965 novel, make a pit stop at David Lynch’s indelible and sometimes inscrutable 1984 screen adaptation, and finally contemplate Denis Villeneuve’s star-studded 2021 release of Dune part one.  Science fiction author and Dune scholar Haris Durrani and film critic Luke Goodsell join BW at the High Council to discuss everything from battle pugs to the deep Islamic and Arabic references of the source material.   And BL is haunted by Kendall Roy’s terrible birthday party and late capitalism in the latest episode of Succession. Show notes: The Guardian remembers David Dalaithngu: https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/nov/30/david-dalaithngu-obituary-walkabout-star-a-consummate-actor-who-helped-reinvent-australian-film?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other Haris Durrani Washington Post article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/10/28/dune-muslim-influences-erased/ Haris Durrani's Medium article: https://hdernity.medium.com/gurney-halleck-the-moor-or-othello-in-space-682bfd99c760 Luke Goodsell's Dune review: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-01/dune-review-denis-villeneuve-sci-fi-epic/100659654 Succession season 3 episode 7 recap: https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2021/11/succession-season-3-episode-7/620816/

We’re rolling in the deep with Adele’s new album, 30, and two international TV specials to celebrate its launch. It’s been six years since Adele’s last album and a lot of life lived in between, including a divorce. BL + BW have listened to 30 many times and are ready to talk! It’s 2021 and Superman has come out as bisexual. Jonathan Kent, the son of Clark Kent and Lois Lane, and the new guardian of planet Earth has shared a kiss with friend Jay Nakamura in a new issue of Superman: Son of Kal-El. Melbourne-based comic book writer Tom Taylor tells Stop Everything! why it’s time to queer DC’s iconic superhero. And, welcome Ji-Young, Sesame Street’s newest character. She’s 7, loves tteokbokki (Korean rice cakes), playing her electric guitar and is the first Asian-American muppet in the show’s 52 year history.  Adele One Night Only: https://7plus.com.au/adele-one-night-only An Audience with Adele: https://www.itv.com/hub/an-audience-with/L0055a0007 Tom Taylor twitter: https://twitter.com/TomTaylorMade Tom Taylor's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomtaylormade/ Washington Post on the story of how Superman came out as bisexual: https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2021/11/16/superman-bisexual-comic-jon-kent/ Sesame Street: Meet the friends in your neighbourhood with Ji-Young, Elmo and Alan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E5uk_CE6FE&t=134s NY Times on the first Asian American muppet on Sesame Street: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/15/arts/television/new-sesame-street-character-ji-young.html

It’s Ausmusic Month and to celebrate Stop Everything! brings you interviews with some of the best musical talents our country has to offer. Firstly: BARKAA. Earlier this year, the Malyangapa and Barkindji rapper took the stage at the Sydney Opera House with her daughter to perform a moving rendition of ‘I know I can.’ She chats with Ben about her debut record - Blak Matriarchy - which is a testament to powerful Blak women, past, present and future. Then we revisit two of our favourite interviews from the Stop Everything! archives. Singer songwriter Ngaiire goes deep on her third album (3), exploring her Papua New Guinean roots and the challenges she's faced in the music industry. Twenty years on from their critically acclaimed debut album, Since I Left You, The Avalanches’s Tony di Blasi talks about the duo’s approach to sampling music, creative process during the pandemic and latest album. Show notes: BARKAA’s website: https://www.barkaa.com.au/ BARKAA performs at the Sydney Opera House with her daughter: https://stream.sydneyoperahouse.com/videos/barkaa-live-at-barrabuwari-a-sunset-gathering-of-music Ngaiire’s website: https://www.ngaiire.com/ The Avalanches website: https://www.theavalanches.com/

Stop Everything! We’ve got a podcast recommendation for you — Pop Chat from CBC Podcasts in Canada. Join host Elamin Abdelmahmoud, along with entertainment reporter Kevin Fallon and culture writer Amil Niazi as they discuss and work through the pop culture stories that matter. Follow Pop Chat wherever you get your podcasts.

Cinemas are open and we’re diving into two blockbuster releases — the MCU’s Eternals directed by Academy Award-winner Chloe Zhao, and No Time to Die, the latest James Bond release featuring Daniel Craig in his final appearance as 007. If you’re still scarred by the Supermarket Toilet Paper battles of 2020, you may want to check out Preppers, a new ABC comedy about doomsday preppers. Co-creator and lead Nakkiah Lui and cast member Eryn Jean Norvill talk to BW + BL about playing fictional preppers against the backdrop of a real pandemic.  Also: If you posted a picture of your pet on instagram hoping someone would plant a tree, we’ll tell you why that’s not happening. Is Big Bird a vaccinated communist? And what are your demands for #YourGayBC when Mardi Gras returns to the national broadcaster? Show notes: Preppers on ABC iView: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/preppers Eternals receives worst audience reviews of any MCU film: https://www.businessinsider.com.au/eternals-worst-audience-reviews-of-any-marvel-studios-movie-cinemascore-2021-11 Instagram plant a tree for pets campaign false: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-09/plant-a-tree-for-pet-pic-instagram-likely-a-false-campaign/100603506 ABC secures rights for Mardi Gras broadcast: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-09/abc-to-broadcast-world-pride-and-sydney-mardi-gras/100591320 Anti-vaxxers declare Big Bird a communist: https://twitter.com/rexchapman/status/1457134086900928514?s=12

When the universe serves us a fabulous queen, we respond with another edition of celebrity memoir book club! This week we're featuring Shane Jenek, also known as internationally-renowned drag queen Courtney Act. Brisbane born and raised, Shane, as Courtney, has appeared on Australian Idol, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Dancing with the Stars, One Plus One on ABC TV and even a segment on ABC Kids talking to children about gender. Shane joins Stop Everything! to talk about his new memoir, Caught in the Act, with reflections on being gender fluid, coming out, life as Courtney and plenty of S-E-X. 

(We nearly named this episode: It’s Billy Porter, b*tches!) Emmy, Grammy and Tony-award winner Billy Porter is in the House of Stop Everything! to talk about his new memoir, Unprotected (Abrams). The icon of stage, television and the red carpet speaks candidly about trauma and healing, going public with his HIV status, playing Pray Tell and his passion for fashion (2019 Oscars tuxedo gown, we see you and we honour you). Show notes: Unprotected: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/19/books/review/unprotected-billy-porter.html Pose: https://binge.com.au/shows/show-pose!1230 Billy Porter's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theebillyporter/ Billy Porter's Emmy win: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NA7BpvnRMA Billy Porter does Broadway Karaoke: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NA7BpvnRM

UK Drag Race’s breakout star Bimini Bon-Boulash is on Stop Everything! to talk about their new book, Release the Beast, nonbinary representation on television, loving yourself and being vegan, haha! We’re also celebrating Brooke Blurton, the Bachelorette’s First Nations, bisexual lead. It’s not just a first for Australian television but a worldwide first for the long running franchise. Also: proles and Pru; and BL + BW’s take on Dave Chappelle’s controversial Netflix comedy special, The Closer. Show notes: Bimini Bon-Boulash instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biminibabes/?hl=en The Bachelorette recap: https://punkee.com.au/the-bachelorette-2021-premiere-tweets/132678 Pru Goward's AFR column: https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/don-t-underestimate-the-underclass-20211018-p5910c Pru Goward AFR column on ‘underclass’ condemned as disturbing and abusive: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/oct/20/pru-goward-afr-column-on-underclass-condemned-as-disturbing-and-abusive Dave Chappelle’s The Closer walkout: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-21/netflix-workers-walk-out-over-dave-chappelle-special-the-closer/100556538 Hannah Gadsby on Netflix and Chappelle :https://www.instagram.com/p/CVCiLl9FWoB/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Dahlia Belle's letter to Chappelle in The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2021/oct/09/dave-chappelle-letter-trans-comedian-netflix

New Gold Mountain, SBS’ gold rush-era period drama, puts the Chinese-Australian experience front and centre. BW talks to series lead Yoson An, (Mulan, Creamerie) and director Corrie Chen about Chinese cowboys and finding dramatic gold in the history of 1850s Ballarat. Meanwhile, BL previews the new season of Succession, and finds the Roy family as deliciously vicious as ever. Stick around to find out what ‘Shiv all the way’ means in his community. Also: BW is obsessed with a hot 939-year-old Korean goblin, why aren’t you? William Shatner blasts off to the final frontier, and that Four Corners investigation on Sony Music Australia. Show notes: Facing the music: The Sony Music scandal: https://www.abc.net.au/4corners/facing-the-music:-the-sony-music-scandal/13579828 New Gold Mountain: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-13/new-gold-mountain-review/100523478 Amanda Rosenberg in Vulture on Gong Yoo thirst: https://www.vulture.com/article/squid-game-gong-yoo-thirst-watch-next.html Succession season 3: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/oct/04/succession-season-three-review-as-glorious-and-furious-as-ever Jaguar Jonze asks ‘Who Died And Made You King’ in scathing new song about industry abuse: https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/musicnews/jaguar-jonze-who-died-and-made-you-king-song-denis-handliln/13576612

Social media’s ablaze over Who is the Bad Art Friend, aka “the kidney story,” the New York Times Magazine long read chronicling a very extra saga about live kidney donation, friendship, white saviours, allegations of plagiarism, artistic license and, horror of horrors — the publication of group chat texts. If you’re wondering whether to read the 9,500-plus word piece, rest easy, BL + BW have done the heavy lifting and happily unpack the entrails for you. Twenty years after the release of Mariah Carey’s Glitter, we’re taking another look at the infamous box office flop and asking, did the critics really get it right back then, or do the haters need to GTFO? With Maria Lewis, ACMI assistant curator, author and Mariah Carey superlamb. Also: what’s the connection between anti-vax protests in New York City and Australia? And what’s next for Britney Spears now that her father Jamie’s been suspended from her conservatorship? Show notes: Who’s The Bad Art Friend?: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/05/magazine/dorland-v-larson.html ACMI Glitter watch party: https://www.acmi.net.au/whats-on/acmi-watch-party/glitter/ Crowds of anti-vaccine protesters chant 'save Australia' during rally in New York: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/crowds-of-anti-vaccine-protesters-chant-save-australia-during-rally-in-new-york/cbfa3a6b-300b-4ad8-82c6-ef8fb94db80a

It’s-a me… Chris Pratt playing Mario! The internet had some STRONG FEELINGS about the recent announcement that Pratt – of Parks and Recreation, Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World fame – will be voicing Mario in the upcoming animated movie based on the beloved Nintendo game. We unpack those feelings plus discuss some films, many of which have faced lengthy COVID-related delays, that we are looking forward to seeing once cinemas reopen including House of Gucci, Spencer, Dune and Nightmare Alley. Speaking of COVID delays, are we finally ready to shine shine shine, baby? The 5th season of the Real Housewives of Melbourne is finally coming. Jackie Gillies, psychic and one of the few original cast members of the reality TV series, and new cast member Cherry Dipietrantonio drop by to takes us behind the scenes of the latest season and consider whether the show can be read as a feminist text. Finally, Survivor Australia may be over but Hannah and Benjamin have both been leaning into the misery of lockdown and enjoying two shows that push people to their physical limits: SBS/Binge’s survivalist reality TV competition Alone and Korean-language survival drama series Squid Game, which is number one on Netflix around the world this week.

Hey, it’s Ben Lee! The singer songwriter recently unmasked on The Masked Singer Australia joins BL + BW to talk about his turn on reality TV, his new single Born for this Bullshit and its sexy video clip, the pandemic (blargh) and, well, it’s Ben Lee so a whole bunch of other topics too. The Television Academy continues to disappoint us with its conservative choices at the Emmys; The Crown will continue interminably until a republic is declared. We want justice for Michaela Cole and Pen15 but we are glad that Jean Smart won for Hacks. Also: The Newsreader finale delivers; Ben Law sings Horses, Daryl Braithwaite’s iconic cover of Rickie Lee Jones’ original song. Show notes: Ben Lee backs the COVID-19 vaccine: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-07/ben-lee-backs-music-industry-covid-19-vaccination-campaign/100439498 Lil Nas X song "That's what I want": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDYDRA5JPLE Emmys recap: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-20/emmys-2021-ted-lasso-mare-of-easttown-the-crown-best-moments/100475934

The Met Gala — the grand final of fashion and celebrity is back irl! As expected, the red carpet was dripping with looks, including one from New York Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Her sumptuous white mermaid gown slashed with the red-lettered “Tax the Rich” message on the back made a statement — but what was it?  Keanu Reeves’ Resurrections: the superstar features in two highly anticipated upcoming sequels — The Matrix 4: Resurrections and John Wick Chapter 4: Resurrection [yes, same name!]. The Matrix 4 trailer reveals some tantalising details, like a reunion between Keanu Reeves, 57 and Carrie-Anne Moss, 54.  Oh happy day! Pub Choir’s Astrid Jorgensen is our feature interview. The award-winning choir director talks about the songs on her blacklist, why group singing is good for us and her joyful, joyful love for Sister Act 2. Also: Tony Armstrong’s delightful blooper on ABC News Breakfast cheers the nation.  Show notes: Tony Armstrong on ABC News Breakfast: https://twitter.com/JoeDoesNews/status/1437545882392555520?s=20 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at the Met Gala: https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1437635268664774659?s=20 Kim Kardashian West at the Met Gala: https://www.instagram.com/p/CT0ArT4FhJI/ Pub Choir: https://www.pubchoir.com.au/ Matrix 4 trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ix7TUGVYIo

BW and BL are away this week celebrating Beyonce’s 40th birthday, but like good parents they’ve left something tasty out so you won’t go hungry. First, Aunty Donna’s Broden Kelly and Mark Bonnano serve up a little bit of pud. They talk to BW about their Netflix series Aunty Donna’s Big Ol’ House of Fun and how their sketch comedy has evolved to respond to their fans. Then, Lillian Ahenkan, better known as Flex Mami. spills the tea on life as a multi hyphenate influencer-author-podcaster-presenter-author-entrepreneur. Show notes: Aunty Donna YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_mneEC0wc29EGGmIsN_xLA Flex Mami: https://www.flexmami.com/

We have tweet manifested our way into an interview with Simu Liu! The star of Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Marvel's first Asian-led superhero film, talks to BW about playing the historic role, preparing for the film's intricate fight scenes and what it's like to act opposite living legends of Asian cinema, Michelle Yeoh and Tony Leung. "Did it hurt? When your attempt at a meme backfired? Yes it did 😩” ABC youth broadcaster triple J had to walk back an attempt at humour this week after a tweet from the station set off a conversation about ageism and sexism in the music music industry plus other mishaps on the internet this week (Warren Mundine, we're looking at you). Also: Please don't call WA Premier Mark McGowan "State Daddy;" we look to nature and wholesome reality TV for respite from interminable lockdowns. Show notes: Simu Liu twitter: https://twitter.com/SimuLiu/status/1431154869902118912 triple J's "did it hurt?" tweet: ttps://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/sep/01/ageism-is-alive-and-well-triple-j-lampooned-for-insulting-tweet Warren Mundine's C word tweet: https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/sbs-board-member-warren-mundine-apologises-for-expletive-tweet-20210901-p58nts.html Back to Nature: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/back-to-nature Nature Track: https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/nature-track/ Beauty and the Geek: https://www.9now.com.au/beauty-and-the-geek-australia/season-7/episodes

With the release of her long-awaited album ‘3’ singer-songwriter Ngaiire is putting her Papua New Guinean roots proudly and defiantly at the front and centre of her music. Ngaiire returns to Stop Everything in a conversation with BW covering music, motherhood, home and breaking free of industry expectations. BW + BL discuss The Chair, the Netflix show starring Sandra Oh as Dr Ji-Yoon Kim, the first woman of colour to chair the English department at prestigious (and fictional) Pembroke University, and the minor feelings the series engenders. Also: The Croods enter the pandemic discourse; Kyle MacLachlan’s Aussie accent; will The Wiggles really go broke for going woke? Show notes: Ngaiire: http://www.ngaiire.com/ Sandra Oh on The Chair: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/08/30/sandra-ohs-masterly-performance-of-empathy-in-the-chair Kyle McLachlan in hotel quarantine: https://twitter.com/Kyle_MacLachlan/status/1429920647564742667?s=19 The Wiggles Fruit Salad TV trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wII8eRBFiiw

In the week that Afghanistan fell to the Taliban we’re processing the stories and images being beamed out of the country and how we get our news. In particular, a TikTok explainer made by Guardian Australia Matilda Boseley has gone viral — why are so many people talking about it? All My Friends Are Racist is a new ABC comedy series about zoomers, friendship, politics and cancel culture. BW + BL talk to series co-stars Davey Thompson and Tuuli Narkle who play on screen besties Casey and Belle. HBO’s The White Lotus finale dropped quite a load on us: showing us who dies, who wins and who loses during one hectic week at the luxury Hawaiian resort. SPOILER ALERT: BL + BW discuss the finale in detail. And finally, the Jeanaissance has arrived: we love Jean Smart in Hacks and so should you. Show notes: Guardian Australia TikTok explainer on Afghanistan: https://www.tiktok.com/@guardianaustralia/video/6996945852510031106 All My Friends Are Racist: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2926035777659475 Mike White on The White Lotus final: https://www.vulture.com/article/the-white-lotus-finale-mike-white-interview-departures-ending.html Murray Bartlett on the White Lotus Finale: https://www.vulture.com/article/murray-bartlett-white-lotus-finale-interview.html#_ga=2.131345608.698147184.1629066489-2076343159.1628459284 The Screen Show interviews Murray Bartlett :https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/the-screen-show/the-white-lotus,-murray-bartlett,-rebecca-hall/13499828 Hacks: https://play.stan.com.au/programs/68819 "Rumours" Lizzo feat Cardi B: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P9XUrniiK4

The new ABC limited series The Newsreader is a late 20th century period drama about sexual politics, egos and the stories that shaped our consciousness in the mid 1980s. Co-creator and writer Michael Lucas and series writer Kim Ho take us behind the scenes. We talk about that Good Weekend profile of celebrity chef and MasterChef judge Jock Zonfrillo, which casts doubts on some of the recollections in Zonfrillo’s new memoir, Last Shot. Zonfrillo and publisher Simon & Schuster are standing by the book; Nine, which owns The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, is standing by journalist Tim Elliott’s feature. As we cradle our Japanese rice baby sacks and cry about the imminent end of the world, we fill our dried out husks with Cooking with Paris and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. And: should we normies follow Jennifer Aniston’s example and cut covid vaccine deniers out of our lives?  Show notes: The Newsreader: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/newsreader Good Weekend profile of Jock Zonfrillo: https://www.smh.com.au/national/he-s-very-nice-the-only-problem-is-chef-marco-pierre-white-on-jock-zonfrillo-20210714-p589q3.html Jennifer Aniston's decision to cut ties with unvaccinated people could backfire: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-10/jennifer-aniston-cuts-off-people-who-refuse-covid-vaccine/100362204 Vogue Australia September cover: https://www.instagram.com/p/CSOiYQSgG4T Cooking with Paris: https://www.netflix.com/title/81312532

Week two of the Tokyo Olympics is a healing balm on our lockdown-chapped souls. Peter Bol’s heroic run in the 800m final unified Australia; Simone Biles made a comeback in gymnastics to snatch bronze on the balance beam; New Zealander Ruby Tui’s post-match BBC interview served energy and light. Who are the 'strangest’ women in music, and what makes them strange? Melbourne writer Lesley Chow puts words around the ephemeral pleasure of pop music in her new book, You’re History: the Twelve Strangest Women in Music.   Along with the Tokyo Olympics, BL is obsessing over the ‘nerd Olympics’ otherwise known as Australian Survivor. Meanwhile BW is tickled by the HBO limited series, The White Lotus. Also: a horny farewell to Twitter Fleets; YouTube bans Sky for a week; all the ways we love to be insulted with free stuff. Show notes: You're History: The Twelve Strangest Women in Music: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/youre-history-9781913462314 Ruby Tui's BBC interview: https://twitter.com/JoCurrie/status/1421045933156884483?s=19 Mike White: https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-interview/mike-white-on-money-status-and-appearing-on-survivor Sky's YouTube ban: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/aug/04/sky-news-australia-purges-several-videos-from-youtube-after-ban-over-covid-misinformation

Subtle Asian Traits, the massively popular Facebook group founded in 2018 by a friendship group of Melbourne teens, is being developed into a TV series. How does a community based on Asian cultural memes translate onto screen, and what do its founders think of the trajectory from messenger group, to online influence and nascent television fame? A conversation with two SAT cofounders, Tony Xie and Kerry Kang. The pandemic Olympics are here. BW and BL talk through the highlights, quirks and major stories coming out of the Tokyo Games: who’s winning hearts; Australian swim coach Dean Boxall’s viral celebratory thrusts; and US gymnast Simone Biles’ ‘radical courage’. Also — why JLo’s 52nd birthday photos are gifts to everyone, and we’re having a laugh at Netflix’s furry dating show, Sexy Beasts Show notes: Subtle Asian Traits on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1343933772408499/ Subtle Asian Traits to be developed into TV series: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/subtle-asian-traits-tv-series-jumpcut-1234971715/ The Radical Courage of Simone Biles’s Exit from the Team USA Olympic Finals: https://www.newyorker.com/sports/replay/the-radical-courage-of-simone-biless-exit-from-the-team-usa-olympic-finals Dean Boxall celebrates Ariarne Titmus’ gold medal: https://twitter.com/kenvogel/status/1419485523392016387?s=20 Jennifer Lopez celebrates 52nd birthday: https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2021/07/jennifer-lopez-celebrates-52nd-b-day-smooching-ben-affleck-on-a-yacht Sexy Beasts on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81298845 The cast of The Lion King singing Circle of Life at their first rehearsal in 15 months:https://www.instagram.com/tv/CRyYyg1BKRi/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

If you’ve ever wondered what’s for lunch at Perry Farrell’s house, or where The Roots’ Questlove turns for DJ inspiration, look to The Avalanches for the answer. The Melbourne-based electronic group has collaborated with some of the biggest names in music and waded through “seven layers of shit” to complete their long-awaited second album, Wildflower. Avalanches founding member Tony Di Blasi tells all to BW and BL. Tennis champion Naomi Osaka is having a moment heading into the Tokyo Olympics — gracing the covers of international magazines and the focus of a new three-part documentary series on Netflix that gives us an inside look behind her rapid rise to superstardom. Finally, what do we make of the NSW Covid numbers TikTok guy, and Jeff Bezos’ new status as a commercial astronaut after he blasted off with three fellow passengers inside a huge penis-shaped rocket. Show notes: The Avalanches: http://www.theavalanches.com/ Naomi Osaka documentary on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81128594 TikTok guy: https://www.news.com.au/world/coronavirus/australia/its-quite-sad-tik-tok-guy-jonbernard-kairouzs-wild-new-claim/news-story/f8e6aab8d5af74af6f3be478e5ecf2a9 Jeff Bezos in space: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CRje0TBHGPS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The epic season 13 finale of MasterChef saw WA youth pastor Justin Narayan completing all four rice crispies and clinching the title. But Kishwar “just at home” Chowdhury is the winner of our hearts, and isn’t that what matters? It’s a truth universally acknowledged that the “brain, it’s multifaceted; brawn, it’s one dimensional”. This binary will be tested in the new season of Australian Survivor and we’re gagging already.  Finally — we sample some NZ delights — BW talks to Creamerie co-creators Roseanne Liang and Perlina Lau about their genre-defying, post apocalyptic, dark-comedy response to The Handmaid’s Tale. And BW + BL debrief Nikesh Patel, er, debrief on Starstruck, the delightful romcom starring Rose Matafeo and Patel.  This episode of Stop Everything! includes discussion of sexual assault. 1800 Respect: https://www.1800respect.org.au/ Lifeline 13 11 14 Links: Creamerie: https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/program/creamerie Starstruck: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/starstruck Kishwar’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kishwar_chowdhury/ Full list of Emmy nominees: https://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners Richard Branson in space: https://twitter.com/richardbranson/status/1414289206717865984?s=20

Ziggy Ramo and Rhianna Patrick take over Stop Everything for NAIDOC Week.  Rhianna Patrick, head of podcasts and audio for IndigenousX, speaks to Dr Margaret Harvey, theatremaker, actor, storyteller, and Jasmin McGaughey, writer and editor, about First Nations futurism, Torres Strait Islanders in pop culture and navigating protocol while sharing traditional stories. Christine Anu also gets a lot of love. Hip Hop artist Ziggy Ramo chats with model, activist and friend Nathan McGuire about going deeper than surface diversity in the fashion industry and … the importance of a good skin care regime! Show notes: NAIDOC Week: https://www.naidoc.org.au/ What Country am I on? https://www.blakbusiness.com.au/what-country-am-i-on IndigenousX: https://indigenousx.com.au/ Rhianna Patrick’s Original Storyteller playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DWZ0wrsFHSmaP?si=f9e23496806e41c4 Margaret Harvey: https://vimeo.com/channels/thejozesparks Jasmin McGaughey on YA: https://www.killyourdarlings.com.au/article/why-australian-ya-needs-more-torres-strait-islander-writing/ Ziggy Ramo: https://www.instagram.com/ziggyramo/ Nathan McGuire on the Australian fashion industry: https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2020/jul/10/instagram-campaign-indigenous-models-fixing-australia-fashion-industry-diversity-problem-takes-real-work

Millions of Australians are in lockdown, the national covid vaccine rollout is confusing to say the least — but we’ve got you, dear listeners! BL + BW have prepared a care package of highlight interviews from the first half of 2021 for a safe, no contact delivery in your audio feed.  Crazy Rich Asians actor Remy Hii, veteran of three quarantines, shares some tips on surviving lockdown and shares his vision for what’s next in Australian storytelling. Randall Park of WandaVision, Fresh off The Boat and Always Be My Maybe shares a sense memory of being hugged by Keanu Reeves. Malcolm Spellman, showrunner for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, talks about writing Black Lives, displacement, and systemic inequality into the MCU series.

In The Heights, from Crazy Rich Asians director Jon Chu and based on Lin Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegría Hudes’ Tony-award winning musical, is a slice of summer joy with a colourism problem. The glaring omission of Afro Latinx cast members in a film set in the New York neighbourhood of Washington Heights, which has a predominantly Dominican Republican population, has been called out as erasure. The filmmakers say they’re aware of it and discussed it, so why this outcome? BW+BL debrief on the latest revelations out of Britney Spears ongoing challenge to her 13-year conservatorship. “This conservatorship in abuse,” Spears told a Los Angeles court. “I want my life back.” And ABC sport broadcaster, former AFL footballer and audience favourite Tony Armstrong joins SE for a 360 conversation on sport, media, race and representation, and his current cultural preoccupations. Also: a look at allegations of toxic workplace culture at Sony Music Australia Show notes: Britney Spears speaks: www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-24/britney-spears-tells-judge-conservatorship-abusive/100239606 Guardian Australia investigation of Sony Music Australia: www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/jun/21/sony-music-australia-allegations-toxic-work-culture In The Heights colourism: www.theroot.com/lets-talk-about-in-the-heights-and-the-erasure-of-dark-1847064126 Tony’s Terrible News: www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3rRBof81TU

Live, werk, pose! Steven Canals, co-creator, executive producer, writer and director of Pose gets deep and meaningful with BL + BW, reflecting on the end of the award-winning series which has been hailed as groundbreaking for trans representation. Steven shares what it was like to be in the room when Billy Porter shared his HIV status with the cast and crew of Pose, and his view of the current TV landscape. Also, what do we think about the news that a Hollywood feature on the Christchurch terrorist attacks is in the works? The overwhelming early reaction has been ‘too soon’. And: our nostrils are flared, our orifices clenched at legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin’s return to CNN. Show notes: Suspension of Jeffrey Toobin: https://www.vice.com/en/article/epdgm4/new-yorker-suspends-jeffrey-toobin-for-zoom-dick-incident Pose series finale recap: https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/pose-series-finale-recap-billy-porter-fx-1234989297/ They Are Us film makers defend motives :https://deadline.com/2021/06/they-are-us-new-zealand-muslim-tragedy-producers-defend-motives-jacinda-ardern-rose-byrne-1234775194/ Rose Byrne to play Prime Minister Jacinta Arden in They Are US: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/rose-byrne-jacinda-ardern-andrew-niccol-cannes-they-are-us-new-zealand-mosque-shooting-1234965908/ Mohamed Hassan's response on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mohamedwashere/status/1403108587740798982?s=20 Petition calling for shut down of They are us: https://www.change.org/p/filmnation-entertainment-shut-down-they-are-us-movie-which-side-lines-victims-of-the-march-15th-terrorist-attack?recruiter=1210874702&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&recruited_by_id=402d83f0-cba1-11eb-a45a-3d4cec3f6e2a

“Everything Housewives becomes Housewives” is the mantra of Real Housewives recapper, scholar and journalist Brian Moylan. Brian’s New York Times bestselling book, The Housewives: The Real Story Behind the Real Housewives is drenched with detail. It answers fans’ burning questions and charts the rise of the Bravo television franchise. Brian joins BL + BW for an extended chat about table flipping, boat rides from hell and who pays for the trips? OK, see you: Kim’s Convenience cast members Simu Liu and Jean Yoon have gone public with allegations of systemic dysfunction behind the scenes of the hit sitcom. How does this affect our viewing of the beloved show? Also, Lorde’s solar-powered bum is giving us life this winter and BL meditates on Mad as Hell’s full frontal nudity.

In the highly anticipated Friends reunion, the original cast gets together for just the second time since the hit sitcom ended in 2004. They were on a break! BW reflects on the seemingly random assortment of celebrity cameos who dropped in to talk about how much they loved Rachel, Ross, Monica, Phoebe, Chandler and Joey, and what, if anything, we learned from the whole episode. Spoiler warning. The Mare of Easttown finale left us feeling devastated, satiated, hollowed out, pensive, wishing for more Mare! BL + BW take their final opportunity to talk Mare, cheesesteaks, Guy Pearce and murder durdur. Pallavi Sharda left Australia for Bollywood to chase acting opportunities she couldn’t find at home. Now she’s back in front of Australian audiences, most recently in ABC’s Retrograde and the Audible podcast Slushy. BL talks to Pallavi about her career path and what’s next.  Also, yes we do talk about the Channel 9 snowstorm, er, Covid vaccine ad.   Show notes: Singapore COVID-19 vaccine ad: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-03/singapore-government-releases-campaign-ad-to-promote-vaccine/13327404 Friends reunion: https://binge.com.au/shows/show-friends-the-reunion!10539 Pallavi Sharda: https://www.instagram.com/pallavisharda/ Slushy podcast: https://www.audible.com.au/pd/Slushy-Audiobook/B093R3GVVP NYT Kate Winslet profile: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/31/style/mare-of-easttown-kate-winslet.html?smtyp=cur&smid=tw-nytimes

Malcolm Spellman, showrunner and head writer of the MCU’s The Falcon and The Winter Soldier talks to BW about his approach to infusing contemporary politics into the superhero TV series.  BW + BL read the entrails of Drag Race Down Under’s latest expulsions and surprise returns. No Mare of Easttown debrief this week, but BL + BW talk through Andrew Yang on Ziwe, the joy of Art Works on ABC TV Plus, and the third season of Master of None. Show notes: Ziwe with Andrew Yang: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uV67dJGXACQ The Guardian review of Friends Reunion: https://twitter.com/AndrewYang/status/1391897869137887234?s=20 Junkee outlines Drag Race Down under episode 4- Art Simone returns: https://junkee.com/rupauls-drag-race-down-under-s1e4-recap/295724 The Linda Lindas performing Racist, Sexist Boy live at the Los Angeles Public Library: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CPExF-YrYl5/

Montaigne talks about working through the disappointment of the cancelled 2020 Eurovision Song Contest to come through with a new song, Technicolour, for the 2021 competition, and the process of competing via video from Australia. Happy 20th, Shrek, it’s time to celebrate millennial culture. Hannah Reich mounts an impassioned defense of the Academy Award-winning film in the face of unappreciative critics. Finally, BL reviews Underground Railway, the 10-part Barry Jenkins-directed adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s novel, and *spoiler alert* we pour out a Rolling Rock for Det. Colin Zabel, now resting in the big wawa in the sky. Show notes: Montaigne's Eurovision performance: www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX_y759_F_U Mare of Easttown explainer: www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-20/mare-of-easttown-kate-winslet-tv-miniseries/100145988 Kate Winslet talks wawa, gobbler hogies and : recycling with Guy Pearce: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2lTpXcMABmZkeatdNz23aJ?si=X_Gkx1E4QzORUUzGzIV8oA&nd=1 Angourie Rice on the Screen Show: www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/the-screen-show/angourie-rice,-pablo-larrain,-alice-rohrwacher/13340690 The Underground Railroad: www.primevideo.com/detail/amzn1.dv.gti.f2bbc210-d908-9560-2a0c-2d8a527c2020?ref_=dvm_pds_tit_au_dc_s_g%7Cm_DGDjjO4Wc_c521246635845 ABC Top 5 Residency: www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/top5/

Cheesesteaks, vaping, wawa coffee and a Philly 40. Kate Winslet as gritty, grizzled, hard bitten grandma detective Mare Sheehan is out to solve a murder durdur, while juggling many commitments including a fling with hot Guy, Pearce.  BL demonstrates his encyclopedic knowledge of RuPaul’s Drag Race queens AND hear from very special guest, Michelle Visage, RuPaul’s ride or die, and currently judging Drag Race Down Under.  Let’s get loud because Bennifer is rebooting and BW is feelin’ so good. Love don’t cost a thing and we’re all wondering if Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck will go the distance this time around. Also, whomst is cheugy? Show notes: Gwyneth Paltrow on Smartless podcast: https://smartless.simplecast.com/episodes/gwyneth-paltrow Explainer on all things Drag Race Down Under: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-01/rupaul-s-drag-race-down-under-drag-queen-reality-tv/100091256 Kate Winslet on Mare of Easttown and Mildred Pierce: https://www.indiewire.com/2021/05/kate-winslet-hbo-mildred-pierce-producer-mare-sheehan-interview-1234634521/ Are you cheugy? https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/29/style/cheugy.html

A special episode of Stop Everything recorded live at the Sydney Writers’ Festival, in front of a real-life, 100% capacity crowd at Carriageworks. BL + BW appeared with two special guests: Carly Findlay, the editor of Growing Up Disabled in Australia, and Sam van Zweden, the author of Eating With My Mouth Open. We discussed the body, disability, fatness – and the medicalisation, language and politics around these things. If you need support or to talk to someone. The Butterfly Foundation is a site where you can find resources for eating disorders and body image: www.butterfly.org.au Lifeline is also available 24 hours: https://www.lifeline.org.au/ Show notes: Carly Findlay: https://carlyfindlay.com.au/ Sam van Zweden: https://samvanzweden.com/ Megan Jayne Crabbe aka body posi panda: https://www.instagram.com/bodyposipanda/ Lindy West, author of Shrill: https://www.lindywest.net/

Audio producer, podcaster and romance aficionado Rudi Bremer talks us through the bodice ripping Netflix smash hit Bridgerton. Influencers, podcaster, entrepreneur, reality TV cast member and author Flex Mami talks to us about life as Flex Mami Show notes: What would Danbury Do? A Bridgerton podcast: https://www.bridgertonpod.com/ All about Flex Mami: https://www.flexmami.com/ Shonda Rhimes on Rege-Jean Page departure: https://www.vulture.com/2021/04/shonda-rhimes-talks-reg-jean-page-leaving-bridgerton.html

Shari Sebbens is a Sapphire, a Marvel Comics character and director of the Australian debut of Seven methods of killing Kylie Jenner, an award-winning play about Twitter, racism, and the hot mess of life online and irl. Shari talks to BW about how this Black British work resonates in the Australian context, digital blackface and more. Season 13 of Master Chef has us ugly crying into our congee and renewing our faith in humanity; BW + BL ponder what milkshakes can’t teach us about consent; and finally, a debrief on what happened in the week since BW’s column on Bluey was published. To paraphrase Master Chef judge Melissa Leong — we invite you to listen. Show notes: Milkshake consent: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-20/nsw-premier-state-politicians-slam-milkshake-consent-video/100081296 Master Chef: https://10play.com.au/masterchef/articles/masterchef-australia-2021-meet-the-top-24-contestants/tpa210420vyjtp Seven methods of killing Kylie Jenner: https://www.darlinghursttheatre.com/sevenmethods ABC Everyday column on Bluey: https://www.abc.net.au/everyday/can-bluey-show-be-more-representative/100042084 Stop Everything! At Sydney Writers Festival: https://www.swf.org.au/festivals/festival-2021/abc-radio-national-live-stop-everything/

With Benjamin Law away, Hannah Reich steps in to put her body on the line for Stop Everything! Together BW and HR lay on the virtual railroad tracks of pop culture and sample Chris Lilley’s new podcast, Ja’miezing, delivered in the character of former Private School Girl Ja’mie King. Is it quiche? Listen to find out. Stop Everything Jewish correspondent Hannah Reich also helps BW understand Shtisel, the hit Israeli drama about a Haredi Jewish family. And RN Top 5 resident Dr Crystal Abidin talks to us about her specialty research field: digital influencer culture. Crystal chats to BW about her research passion, how deeply she embeds when she’s out in the field and takes us behind the scenes of the Asia Pacific influencer industry with an interview with Philippines-based influencer manager, Kristen Lagrimas. Show notes:  Sharon Johal’s statement on Neighbours: https://www.sharonjohal.com/post/statement Ja’miezing podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/jamiezing/id1561502043 Rich Caroline https://www.tiktok.com/@richcaroline/video/6877266854159650053?lang=en&is_copy_url=0&is_from_webapp=v1&sender_device=pc&sender_web_id=6893695359782209026 A24 Q and A with Youn Yuh-jung: https://a24films.com/notes/2021/04/how-to-live-well-according-to-yuh-jung-youn-1?s=09 Dr Crystal Abidin: https://wishcrys.com/ Yiddish in Shtisel: https://ingeveb.org/blog/shtisel-s-ghosts-the-politics-of-yiddish-in-israeli-popular-culture Yeo: https://snackswithyeo.bandcamp.com

It seems Ramsay Street may not be so neighbourly after all. Indigenous actors Shareena Clanton and Meyne Wyatt have gone public with experiences of racism and toxic behaviour while working on the set of Neighbours. Fremantle Media, which makes Neighbours, now says it has ordered an independent review of Neighbours and its production process. Actor Remy Hii (Marco Polo; Crazy Rich Asians; Aftertaste) joins BW + BL to talk about how he made it through three stints of quarantine, his foodie passions and how he hopes to see the Australian screen industry take more risks. And finally BL + BW blitz through some recent screen hits: Godzilla V Kong; Peter Rabbit 2; Supernova; and the Bluey Easter special. Show notes: Shareena Clanton's instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CNSmYtLLcvl/?igshid=oxl28oldmq6n Shareena Clanton on ABC RN Awaye: https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/awaye/saturday-10-april-2021/13293778 Allegations of racism on Neighbours: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-56652191 Aftertaste on ABC iview: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/aftertaste Sydney Writer's Festival performance: https://www.swf.org.au/festivals/festival-2021/the-space-between-words/

BW + BL are taking the long weekend off to walk a mile in Lil Nas X’s custom ‘Satan Shoes’ so they’ve prepared a highlights show chockablock with sweet treats from the Stop Everything! vault. Composer Joff Bush takes us inside the creative process of making music for the hit children’s animated show Bluey; BW talks to Minari’s now Academy-Award nominated actress Youn Yuh-jung about her 50 year career in the Korean screen industry; and we dip way back into 2020 with Song Exploder’s Hrishikesh Hirway, who talks about taking the leap from beloved podcast to Netflix show.

Director Zack Snyder’s new four-hour recut of Justice League rights some wrongs of the 2017 film, but does better mean it’s actually good? BW reports back. Live comedy is back in Australia with the return of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival after 2020’s COVID-induced pause. Comedian and writer Lizzy Hoo stops by to talk about her new live show, Hoo Dis? and the trials of doing stand up by Zoom. Also, a new cultural commentator has emerged on the scene with Daryl Somers (Dancing With the Stars, Hey Hey It’s Saturday) taking a stand on cancel culture. BL + BW mull over his comments. Show notes: ABC Comedy presents Lizzy Hoo: https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/abc-comedy-presents/ Joss Whedon controversy: https://www.thecut.com/2021/02/joss-whedons-controversies-and-alleged-bad-behavior-a-guide.html Justice League Snyder cut reshoot budget: https://screenrant.com/justice-league-snyder-cut-budget-reshoots-how-much/

Harry Styles’ boa, Meghan Thee Stallion’s wins, Beyonce’s record and Cardi B’s WAP were the talk of the 63rd Grammy Awards, broadcast in *unprecedented* fashion from Los Angeles with host Trevor Noah. BW + BL discuss the Grammys and the Oscar nominations, both out this week. “What is grief, if not love persevering?” BL + BW consider how this line from Vision to Wanda resonates through the series finale of the MCU’s WandaVision. Sticking with TV, they chat with Naomi Higgins and Humyara Mahbub, two co-creators of the Gen Z adulting ABC series, Why Are You Like This. And amid #MeToo arriving in Canberra, we look back at our 2019 interview with MeToo movement founder Tarana Burke. 1800 respect is the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service: call 1800RESPECT or 1800 737 732 Show notes: Tarana Burke on Stop Everything!: https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/stop-everything/me-too-tarana-burke-josh-thomas/11705212 Beyonce makes Grammys history: https://edition.cnn.com/2021/03/14/entertainment/beyonce-grammys-history/index.html Grammys explainer: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-27/difference-between-grammys-song-record-and-album-of-the-year/11735654 Why are you like this- The Guardian interview: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/feb/16/why-are-you-like-this-takes-aim-at-gen-z-this-is-the-most-humiliating-thing-ive-done Screen Australia/ ABC Fresh Blood initiative: screenaustralia.gov.au/sa/screen-news/2018/12-04-fresh-blood-2018-introducing-the-four-pilots

We get deep into the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s sit-down interview with Her Royal Highness, Oprah Winfrey, Queen of Television. From bombshell revelations of conversations about baby Archie’s skin colour, to Meghan’s mental health and Harry’s awakening to the reality of racism BW + BL cover it all, plus the aftermath that saw Piers Morgan walk off breakfast television  — potentially forever  — having chosen his hill to die on: disbelieving Meghan, in particular, her mental health crisis.  If you love good food, but you’re also lazy, the new ABC web series Gourmet Lazy is for you. Hear from Brendan Wan, creator and director of Gourmet Lazy, as well as mother-son presenters, Dane and Lee Simpson, who shared their recipe for fried scones. Finally, does BW + BL’s mutual love of Coming to America transfer to the sequel? And Alan S. Kim’s acceptance speech gives us feelings.   Show notes: Oprah wins at interviewing: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/mar/08/oprah-winfrey-meghan-harry-interview?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other Meghan Markle files official complaint against Piers Morgan: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-11/meghan-markle-files-complaint-with-itv-over-piers-morgan/13237014 It's gourmet and it's lazy: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-17/australians-share-gourmet-lazy-meals-recipe-culture/13156508 Critics Choice awards- Alan S. Kim's acceptance speech: https://twitter.com/MinariMovie/status/1368755631818211331

While hosting the Golden Globes, co-hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler told the world that awards shows are “stupid” and “a scam”. Then Fey said, “even with stupid things, inclusivity is important.” That was their way of addressing the fact that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which runs the Golden Globes, has not had a Black member for 20 years. BW + BL discuss the "scam" awards. Six years ago, Lillian Ahenkan, aka Flex Mami, started an Instagram account to promote her DJ work. These days, Flex has 132,000 Instagram followers, 25,000 TikTok followers and has leveraged her online influence into podcasting, writing, TV and business. She tells BL + BW how she did it and shares her philosophy for living a public life online. Finally, BW shares a few thoughts on Disney’s latest animated feature, Raya and the Last Dragon. Show notes: Golden Globes award winners list: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-01/2021-golden-globes-award-winners-list/13196212 Variety article: The HFPA hasn't had a bla(c)k member in twenty years: https://variety.com/2021/awards/news/golden-globes-hfpa-diversity-black-members-1234917540/ Vulture article who are the people picking the Golden Globes winners: https://www.vulture.com/2015/01/who-exactly-picks-the-golden-globes-winners.html Reply All: https://gimletmedia.com/shows/reply-all/6nhokaa/a-message-from-the-staff-of-reply-all The Sporkful’s coverage of Bon Appetit: http://www.sporkful.com/a-reckoning-at-bon-appetit/ Flex Mami's All About Women event at the Sydney Opera House:  https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/events/whats-on/all-about-women/2021/flex-mami-semi-factual-history-lessons-podcast.html Flex’s semi factual history lesson podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2ahH6qhTXFoaXZVvSTf5pm Raya and the last dragon: Meet the cast: https://www.wusa9.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-tonight/raya-and-the-last-dragon-meet-the-women-behind-disneys-first-southeast-asian-princess-exclusive/603-91301edc-37e1-4036-867c-eaf7b2c37321

BL + BW discuss Allen v. Farrow, a new HBO documentary series reinvestigating claims of child sexual abuse against director Woody Allen, who has continuously denied the accusations since they were raised in 1992, amidst an ugly and highly public breakup with Mia Farrow. The series was made with the cooperation of Dylan Farrow, who at age 7 accused Allen, her adoptive father, of abuse. We’re recapping new developments on Reply All’s Test Kitchen miniseries because what was meant to be an investigation of systemic racism at Bon Appetit has turned the spotlight on racism at Gimlet, the audio company that makes Reply All, with some pretty seismic fallout  And we’re wishing everyone a happy ‘niu’ year with comedian, ABC Everyday reporter and pun master Jennifer Wong, host of a pan-Asian Lunar New Year comedy show in Sydney. If you need to talk to anyone about anything in this podcast episode, you can call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or access assistance online: National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service Kids Helpline - a 24-7 national, confidential counselling service for children and young adults. Their number is 1800 55 1800 Show notes: Reply All 'The Test Kitchen' hosts step down: https://www.vulture.com/2021/02/reply-all-hosts-step-down-test-kitchen.html Podcaster Kathy Tu on silence in the room: https://twitter.com/_kathytu/status/1363011203371585537?s=20 Podcaster Helen Zaltzman on toxic workplace culture: https://twitter.com/HelenZaltzman/status/1362376375835975682?s=20 Lunar New Year comedy show: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=LUNARNEW21 ABC Everyday site: https://www.abc.net.au/everyday/ Western Sydney Mayor commentary on Lunar New Year: https://www.smh.com.au/national/lunar-new-year-not-part-of-this-country-s-traditions-western-sydney-mayor-20210203-p56z7y.html Dylan Farrow's 2014 open letter: https://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/02/01/an-open-letter-from-dylan-farrow/ Allen v. Farrow documentary: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/feb/21/allen-v-farrow-hbo-documentary-dylan-farrow-woody-allen Daft Punk breaks up: https://pitchfork.com/news/daft-punk-call-it-quits/

Mark Zuckerberg’s not playing. If you needed a reminder that Facebook isn’t a web browser - the social media giant’s world-first decision to ban stories from Australian news sites sent that message loud and clear. What happens on a fact-free Facebook? BW + BL discuss.  BW reports back on the first two chapters of Reply All’s The Test Kitchen, the podcast’s series investigating the 2020 implosion of Bon Appetit (aka ‘Bone App’) over structural inequality, white privilege and racism. And literal diversity poster boy BL runs a ruler over the ABC’s new screen diversity requirements to see how they measure up. Anyone who’s watched director Lee Isaac Chung’s Minari, a soulful elegy on family and rural America, will recognise Youn Yuh-Jung as the scene stealing grandma, Soonja. Ms Youn talks to BW about playing an unconventional grandma, her 50+ year acting career and more. Shownotes: Framing Britney unpacked: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-13/britney-spears-documentary-free-britney-legal-issues-media/13148894 Backlash over Justin Timberlake headlining Superbowl: https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/10/25/16523800/justin-timberlake-super-bowl-backlash-janet-jackson Justin Timberlake apologises on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CLMxYbGhTno/ ABC's new television guidelines: https://www.abc.net.au/tv/independent/doc/ABC_DandI_Commissioning_Guidelines_2021.pdf Oscars change their eligibility criteria :https://www.oscars.org/news/academy-establishes-representation-and-inclusion-standards-oscarsr-eligibility

Framing Britney, a New York Times documentary investigating pop star Britney Spears’ unusual conservatorship arrangement has ushered the fan-based #FreeBritney movement from the margins to the mainstream.  “I’m here live, I’m not a cat.” Viral video of a Texas lawyer who connected to a zoom-based court hearing with a kitten face filter, then valiantly declared he was prepared to go on with proceedings - as a kitten -  has brought joy to the world. An anatomy of a scene, with BL + BW. And, if Australia is cooked, can culture kill curse? Hear from the creators behind the wildly subversive ABC animated series, Cooked, about the ghost of Captain Cook and Mahnra, an immortal goat inhabited by the spirit of a young Gweagal woman. With Jake Duczynski, Gomeroi and Mandandanji animator and creator of Cooked and James Hackett, Founder of Studio Hackett, and a writer on the series.  Show notes Accounts of Cook's arrival: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-26/indigenous-oral-accounts-of-captain-cooks-arrival/12183584 Cancellation of commemorative events for Cook :https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-52461427 "I'm here live, I'm not a cat:" https://twitter.com/lawrencehurley/status/1359297273331675136?s=20 New documentary 'Framing Britney Spears: 'Framing Britney Spears': The Long Fight to 'Free Britney' Britney Spears conservatorship: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/09/arts/music/britney-spears-conservatorship.html Britney posts on instagram after film release: https://www.instagram.com/p/CLFvx1zAVl6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Randall Park generously shares this sensual memory with Stop Everything! as he discusses WandaVision, the new genre bending MCU Disney+ series in which he reprises the role of FBI Agent James E Woo. Park, also known for playing ‘Asian Jim’ on The Office, Marcus in Always Be My Maybe and Gov. Danny Chung in Veep, reflects on how opportunities have opened up for Asian actors in Hollywood since Fresh Off the Boat, which he starred in for six seasons. Who’s hotter than The Kid Laroi, Taylor Swift and Harry Styles? Cue melodica -- it’s Bluey! Bluey: The Album, featuring music from the hit animated ABC Kids show, is number one on the Aria charts. BW+ BL chat with Bluey composer Joff Bush. Also: BL+BW wrap the Golden Globe nominations and debrief on It’s a Sin and the MAFS reunion. Show notes: Emily in Paris writer on I may destroy you awards snub: https://amp.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/feb/03/emily-in-paris-writer-on-i-may-destroy-you-snub-golden-globes?__twitter_impression=true Russell T Davies on how his past has inspired his newest show, It's a Sin: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/jan/03/russell-t-davies-i-looked-away-for-years-finally-i-have-put-aids-at-the-centre-of-a-drama Randall Park's home tour :https://www.vulture.com/2019/05/randall-park-always-be-my-maybe.html WandaVision episode 4 recap: https://tv.avclub.com/wandavision-returns-with-a-wallop-to-the-marvel-cinem-1846154232 Bluey soundtrack hits number one on the Aria charts: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/jan/31/bluey-soundtrack-becomes-first-childrens-album-to-hit-no-1-on-aria-album-charts

We burn for Bridgerton: The Shonda Rhimes-executive produced period romance is officially Netflix’s most-watched series, ever. Think Pride and Prejudice meets Gossip Girl, with lots of sex and Julie Andrews narrating. Our in-house romance novel expert Rudi Bremer (Awaye!, Little Yarns) knows all things Bridgerton and (spoiler alert), talks us through the series, including that controversial sex scene between Daphne and the Duke. Stop Everything also ushers in the first new show of 2021 with a bona fide Hollywood superstar: Eric Bana, on his film The Dry, and whether Full Frontal’s Poida still lives inside his brain Also - after the summer break - immortal pop culture bin chickens BW + BL arise from the ashes of 2020 to pick over the events of the last six weeks, and talk through all the stuff they watched during the break. Show notes: Eric Bana likes crime podcasts: https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebrity/tv/dirty-john-netflix-eric-bana-connie-britton-54162 All the sex scenes in Bridgerton:  https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/g34976064/bridgerton-sex-scenes-netflix/ Bridgerton's controversial sex scene: https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a35166643/bridgerton-controversial-sex-scenes-chris-van-dusen-interview/  National sexual assault support services: https://www.1800respect.org.au/ 

In Stop Everything's Celebrity Memoir Book Club, BL, BW and special guests discuss The Meaning of Mariah Carey, the long-awaited, NY Times bestselling memoir written by pop diva Mariah Carey and Michaela Angela Davis. Mariah Carey super Lambs: Maria Lewis, author, screenwriter, broadcaster and possessor of deep cut Mariah knowledge and a Mariah Carey tattoo, and fellow lamb and celebrity memoir aficionado, Nick Bond, entertainment editor for news.com.au share their views.

We present a conversation with Kevin Kwan. Beverley spoke to the author of the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy, progenitor of the box-office hit Crazy Rich Asians movie and a new book, Sex and Vanity.

BW and BL visit the singer-song writer who is in lockdown in Cornwall, home to the 300-year-old converted barn-turned-recording studio where she's made all of her recent albums. And prepare the biodatas: ABC Life Editor Bhakthi Puvanenthiran and writer and campaigner Tarang Chawla give their reviews of Indian Matchmaking, the hit Netflix reality dating show that has proved divisive among South Asian viewers. Is it regressive and problematic, or does Indian Matchmaking provide an entry point for cracking open tricky conversations around caste, class, gender and marriage, via a distinctly South Asian lens? 

BW + BL explore Beyonce's visual album Black is King with artist Atong Atem, contemplate how to do nothing with Jenny Odell and how to do kids' books, with rapper and new author Briggs.

Megan Washington talks to BW and BL about the ABC comedy podcast Crossbread. Plus agony aunt Daniel M Lavery and the South Korean zombie-plague Netflix hit #Alive.

We're pretty sure we're going to survive 2020! BW + BL are walking the hard rubbish of 2020 to the nature strip, thanking it three times and saying goodbye. To celebrate, they're diving into the pop culture that made us happy in 2020. Featuring listener tweets, e-mails and voice memos sharing the podcasts, music, tv and social media stars that soothed, cheered and brightened their days, plus a few special guests: internationally renowned drag performer and star of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 6 and All Stars 3, BenDeLaCreme and Australia's own viral YouTube iso cooking comedian, Nat's What I Reckon. Show notes: Nats what I reckon youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEFW1E8QzP-hKxjO2Rj68wg Nats what: I reckon 'Uncook yourself:' https://www.penguin.com.au/books/un-cook-yourself-9781761040900 Uncle Roger reviews Nats fried rice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-E9Ol4tMcI Jinkx and BenDeLaCreme holiday special: https://www.jinkxanddela.com/  What is Schitts Creek about anyway: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-19/schitt%E2%80%99s-creek-emmy-awards-canadian-comedy/12673132

Thirty years since his death - Roald Dahl's family apologises for the beloved childrens author's antisemitic views. How and why was this done? As screen and theatre gigs have dried up during the pandemic, Australian actors have been finding new opportunities in podcast audio fiction. Noni Hazlehurst and Yael Stone co-star in Winding Road, an Audible mystery drama set in Queensland. Finally, BL + BW discuss two teen reboots, Saved By The Bell (2020) and Heartbreak High (2022) and whether they feel hungry and aroused by the trailer for A Recipe for Seduction a sponsored Lifetime 'mini movie' starring Mario Lopez as a sexy Col. Harland Sanders. Show notes: Heartbreak High gets a reboot: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-12-07/heartbreak-high-coming-back-netflix-new-generation-of-teenagers/12956722 Mario Lopez takes on a role as Col. Sanders: https://deadline.com/2020/12/mario-lopez-stirs-up-a-recipe-for-seduction-as-kfcs-colonel-sanders-in-new-lifetime-mini-movie-1234651880/ Roald Dahl's family issues apology for anti-semitic comments: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/roald-dahls-family-posts-quiet-apology-for-antisemitism-ftbx9wj09 Questions about timing of Dahl apology: https://antisemitism.org/roald-dahl-story-company-finally-issues-discreet-apology-for-authors-antisemitism-as-his-estate-signs-lucrative-hollywood-deals/ Yael Stone on a year of growth: https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2019/nov/20/yael-stone-on-a-year-of-growth-i-dont-want-to-be-anybodys-plaything-again

Sampa The Great on making her award-winning album, comedian and broadcaster Aamer Rahman, the wisdom of Dolly Doctor, plus Mario Bros under the lens.

Stop Everything! presents "The Big 20 pop culture quiz". Benjamin Law dons the quizmaster cape and Beverley Wang, AFLW star Darcy Vescio and comedian Zoë Coombs Marr on the buzzers. Journey through the last 20 years in television, music, Internet culture and tech trends and see how much you remember about the last two decades.

Just for a change of pace, we're talking about THE OTHER MAGA-hat-wearing, Covid-denying conspiracy-theorist, social-media-loving, mainstream-media-hating former reality TV star: Australia's own Pete Evans. The celebrity chef turned conspiracy theorist hit a shocking new low this week when he shared a cartoon depicting the sonnenrad – black sun – a sun wheel design that first originated in Nazi Germany, and widely employed by neo-Nazis, white supremacists and alt-right fascists now – including the Christchurch gunman, the Australian citizen who murdered 51 people in two mosques in 2019. What happened next and why shouldn't we be relaxed about this? BW and BL discuss.   Step inside Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun with Broden Kelly and Mark Samual Bonanno.  Two members of Melbourne's Aunty Donna Sketch comedy troupe talk to BW about the evolution of their comedy, making it big on Netflix, the joys and trials of absurdist comedy and the origin story of Aunty Donna.  show notes: Pete Evans is dropped from I'm a Celebrity https://www.sbs.com.au/news/the-feed/pete-evans-will-not-appear-on-i-m-a-celebrity-as-more-companies-cut-ties-with-the-chef Pete Evans on Germany's history- Twitter https://twitter.com/cameronwilson/status/1328585401737601025  Dolly Parton's supporting Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/dolly-partons-vanderbilt-donation-supported-modernas-covid-19/story?id=74255411 Review of Australian comedy group's new show Aunty Donna's Big Ol' house of Fun https://www.smh.com.au/culture/tv-and-radio/all-hail-the-divine-madness-of-australian-comedy-trio-aunty-donna-20201109-p56csy.html  

BW + BL pass the mic to First Nations creatives from music, screen, comedy and podcasting. Writer and podcaster Jack Latimore interviews rising hip hop star Birdz. And show business couple -- Kodie Bedford, Mystery Road screenwriter, playwright and filmmaker -- and Bjorn Stewart, actor, comedian, writer and director -- interrogate each other about their pop culture passions.   Show notes Birdz drops new single for Looky Looky here comes Cooky Take it Blak podcast Kodie Bedford's production, Cursed NAIDOC Week 2020- Always was, always will be Trump books the Four seasons... Landscaping Alec Baldwin farewells Trump      

"Votes cannot be cast after the Poles are closed." This is one true and factual statement tweeted by the US President, Donald Trump, as the world awaits US election results. Here in Australia, our existence in the future is doing nothing to help us glean who will win in this knife-edge race. So instead we do what Australian media does best, fish for an Adjacent Australian Angle ™ ​with thanks to The Chaser and Ronny Chieng. Big Mob Brekky is here to shake up breakfast television, even if it's only for one week — for now. Shahni Wellington and Ryan Liddle, hosts of NITV's NAIDOC Week breakfast TV show, Big Mob Brekky, join Stop Everything! to share their vision for this hotly contested network TV slot. The program will broadcast live from Taronga Zoo, Monday to Friday the week of November 9-14, with special segments presented by Luke Carroll, Elaine Crombie and appearances from Emma Donovan, Mitch Tambo and more. Reputation Rehab: Zoe Norton Lodge and Kirsten Drysdale talk to BW and HR about their new ABC TV program which looks at the impact of public shaming and what can be done to rehabilitate the shamed, and the shamers.  Show notes: "votes cannot be cast after the poles are closed" https://deadline.com/2020/11/donald-trump-tweet-censored-poles-1234608879/ Compulsory voting in America? Ronny Chieng https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij1Dvw1vC5o The Chaser loses their blue tick https://junkee.com/chaser-twitter-suspended-trump/277004 Big Mob Brekky https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/2020/10/14/sbs-nitv-are-celebrating-naidoc-new-morning-show The Guardian review: Reputation Rehab https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/oct/28/

2020 is haunted: As if this year hasn't been terrifying enough, BL and BW invite horror lovers Rhianna Patrick and Joel Meares to share their recommendations for a scary movie night just in time for Halloween. Rhianna Patrick is an ABC broadcaster on secondment to IndigenousX, and has written a listicle of Indigenous horror on TV and film, and Joel Meares is Editor-in-Chief of the film review site Rotten Tomatoes.  Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Very nice? Kazakhstan's now-disgraced, formerly famous journalist Borat Margaret Sagdiyev has returned to US and A to gift his 15-year-old daughter Tutar to US Vice President Mike Pence, just as the coronavirus pandemic hits. What ensues is hard to put into words - but BW and BL make an attempt.  

In the debut of Stop Everything's Celebrity Memoir Book Club, BL, BW and special guests discuss The Meaning of Mariah Carey, the long-awaited, NY Times bestselling memoir written by pop diva Mariah Carey and Michaela Angela Davis. Mariah Carey super Lambs: Maria Lewis, author, screenwriter, broadcaster and possessor of deep cut Mariah knowledge and a Mariah Carey tattoo, and fellow lamb and celebrity memoir aficionado, Nick Bond, entertainment editor for news.com.au share their views.

BL and BW discuss how #TheFly overshadowed the entire US VP debate and the memes it rapidly inspired; run through some Aria nomination headlines AND chat with composer Dan Golding, who's been nominated for an Aria for his soundtrack to the hit Melbourne-made game, Untitled Goose Game. It's the first time in the Arias' history that music from a game has been nominated for an award. Travis and Texas De Vries of the Broriginals podcast have 80,000 years of cultural wisdom at their back as they dispense comedy advice to listeners.

BL + BW cruise down a freeway of dreams, satire and the politics of oversharing vs. unveiling on social media. The US President, true to form, tweets health updates via Twitter, Jim Carrey steps into his first 2020 Presidential debate on SNL, and his former advisor, Kellyanne Conway guest stars on her daughter's TikTok. TV personality Chrissy Teigen shares the raw grief of her and husband, John Legend's recent miscarriage on instagram, drawing support and ire from observers and we dream of a day where we can get outdoors and play an augmented reality game on our city streets.

BL + HR explode music and politics with musician, composer and creator of the hit podcast and new Netflix series, Song Exploder. They decode the Closing ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics with Emmy award-winning artistic director David Atkins and deconstruct The Rock's decision to throw his weight behind the Democratic nominees in the upcoming US election.

One show truly dominated the 2020 Emmy Awards and that was Schitt's Creek, which took out best comedy and swept all four comedy acting categories. Benjamin Law and drop in host Hannah Reich analyse why the sixth and final season has been such a hit with viewers and Emmy voters. Plus Journalist and self-described “(retired) veteran of the wellness industry” Sarah Wilson connects the links between QAnon and wellness communities and celebrating Wong Kar-wai's film, In the mood for love with a musical homage at the Sydney Opera House. .

BW + BL dip into the pop culture news barrel, pulling out controversy, drama and a biopic announcement. They tune their walkie talkies to discuss #Alive, a South Korean film about an airborne zombie cannibal plague and take us trackside at the 2000 Sydney Olympics to Cathy Freeman's triumphant golden run that had a nation on its feet.

BL + BW break down the Academy Awards' new diversity requirements for Best Picture, before going all in on the new Disney remake of Mulan, made for USD$200 million, how does the film stack up against the 1998 classic?

BL + BW discuss actor Chadwick Boseman's legacy with filmmaker and journalist Santilla Chingaipe. Facebook Vs. the Australia Government: The Social Network threatens to stop users from posting news stories on FB and insta if an Australian government code of conduct requiring tech companies to pay for new content becomes law.

BW and BL chat about Canada's Drag Race. Featuring new judges, less RuPaul, and a slate of proud Canadian queens, the show is freshening up the competition franchise like a zamboni on ice. Kpop specialist Andy Trieu shares his expertise on Korean supergroup BTS' new hit single, Dynamite and comedian Craig Quartermaine shares how lockdown has taken the edge off his stand up fighting fitness and regular jousts with hecklers.

A picture is worth a thousand words of ... offense? protest? explanation? We talk about *that* Johannes Leak cartoon of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in The Australian and the controversy it's kicked off. As a chaser - let's go to New York City and catch up with renowned Australian photographer Anne Geddes, whose ubiquitous photos of babies as peapods, bumblebees, sunflowers and other adorable imaginings became part of the zeitgeist in the 90s and early 2000s.

Chris Pang is a diplomat: The Melbourne International Film Festival ambassador and Crazy Rich Asians star discusses his upcoming new Amazon series On the Spectrum and why so many talented Australian actors of colour still struggle for opportunities and recognition at home, even while breaking through with big successes overseas. Vogue: Challenged. Glossy magazines are contending with how to address calls for more and better representation of minorities -- institutionally, and within its content -- Australian Vogue's August issue features young Bla(c)k activists using social media and other platforms to raise their voices and amplify their causes. Grace Dlabik, founder and creative director of Be Collective and Be. ONE Creative provided guidance and casting direction for this special issue of Vogue. She talks fashion, activism, and whether the viral instagram #VogueChallenge was a tribute or a call out.

BW + BL explore Beyonce's new visual album, Black is King with artist Atong Atem, contemplate how to do nothing with Jenny Odell and rate themselves on a scale of bemused to exasperated on the "Which Jonathan Swan are you today?" mood board

BL + BW explore 28 days of white supremacy with Layla F Saad , author of Me and White Supremacy and decode Taylor Swift's surprise album drop, Folklore with writer and self confessed Swiftie Kaitlyn Blythe

BW + BL check the board game cupboard for signs of a pandemic and collate the biodata on Netflix's new hit dating show Indian Matchmaking with ABC Life Editor Bhakthi Puvanenthiran and writer and campaigner Tarang Chawla.

Listener notes: Jaguar Jonze calls out various cases of harassment and abuse from within the music industry Music photographer admits 'I'm an abuser' after #MeToo posts Who’s Afraid of Ziwe Fumudoh? For guests who dare to appear on the comedian’s Instagram Live show, the question is not if you are racist, but how.

BW + BL sit down for some breakfast TV and consider the resurgence of open letters, filmmaker Karla Hart and Rule family matriarch Daniella Borg drop in to talk Family Rules season three, and we mourn Poh.

From Radio National's Big Weekend of Books, we present a conversation with Kevin Kwan. Beverley spoke to the author of the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy, progenitor of the box-office hit Crazy Rich Asians movie, and a new book - Sex and Vanity.

BL and BW talk to Megan Washington about her new ABC comedy podcast, plus Cameron Wilson on how to debunk conspiracy theories. Listening notes: Wee TikTok users and K-pop fans really behind the poor turnout at Trump's Tulsa rally? Cross bread Crossbread competition '30 Rock' Blackface: Which Episodes Are Being Removed? 30 Rock: Tina Fey's satirical show-within-a-show mastered the art of the long-running gag ‘30 Rock’ Blackface Episodes Pulled From Streaming, Syndication at Tina Fey and NBCU’s Request Fawlty Towers episode to be reinstated to streaming platform after outcry You May Know Me from Such Roles as Terrorist #4 Hamilton to be censored on Disney Plus Babysitter club reboot trailer

BW and BL talk to Miranda Tapsell and Nakkiah Lui about their new podcast, and sneak past Ray Martin's security. Listener notes Debutante podcast Nakkiah Lui Miranda Tapsell SOH Writers Room panel Josh thomas apology Vulture: White Celebrities Take Responsibility for Racism the Only Way They Know How  #SharetheMicNowAustralia

Benjamin and Beverley look at which TV shows and films have been removed from streaming services and even cancelled outright following weeks of Black Lives Matter protests around the world. Is this the pop culture equivalent of tearing down statues?

Listener notes: American Plague: Racism, our untreated pre-existing condition, is killing both black people and the nation itself What Does Seeing Black Men Die Do For You? America’s Protests Won’t Stop Until Police Brutality Does The Videos That Rocked America. The Song That Knows Our Rage. Australia had its own George Floyd moment, only it passed without international outrage How Did #BlackOutTuesday Go So Wrong So Fast? https://www.instagram.com/p/CAy-W0cAvWV/?hl John Boyega's London Protest Speech David Guetta’s ‘tribute’ to Martin Luther King Jr and George Floyd’s family,

BL + BW catch up with new Masterchef judge and fan favourite Melissa Leong. Plus a reunion with their talented son, rapper-TV writer-comedy actor-music label boss and debut children's book author - (Adam) Briggs. Follow along at home: Neighbours, The Voice and Border Security screened in Pacific in $17m soft-power push Could Married At First Sight be part of Australia's soft power push in the Pacific Lana Del Rey (@lanadelrey) • Instagram photos and videos Lana Del Rey's swipes at her peers of colour undermine her feminist argument

BL and BW pay a virtual home visit to Tiddas 4 Tiddas co-founder Marlee Silva. Follow along at home: More than 150 Australian newsrooms shut since January 2019 as Covid-19 deepens media crisis Network Ten to close news, entertainment and lifestyle website 10 Daily website Buzzfeed to close Australian news operations Vice Media Group cuts 155 staffers globally Roald Dahl HQ James and the Giant Peach, with Taika and Friends Tiddas 4 Tiddas Always was always will be The Last Dance Air Jordan 'Last Dance' drop sells out before opening credits Michael Jordan Still Boasts The Richest Shoe Deal In The NBA, Earning $193M This Year

Follow along at home: Robert Pattinson: A Dispatch From Isolation Pete Evans (@chefpeteevans) • Instagram photos and videos Alison Roman New Consumer interview Chrissy Teigen responds: Part One, Part Two Alison Roman apologies: Initial reaction, Part One, Part Two Food for thought: Food fight: what the Chrissy Teigen and Alison Roman dust-up reveals, Alison Roman and the Exhausting Prevalence of Ethnic Erasure in Popular Food Culture Alison Roman’s comments about Chrissy Teigen and Marie Kondo lit a fire. Here’s why it’s still burning. Dear Prudence Podcast Shatner Chatner Jerry Stiller Variety Obit Little Richard Guardian Obit BBC interview with Little Richard, 1972 Little Richard inducts Otis Redding into Rock and Roll Hall of fame, 2012

BW and BL visit the singer-song writer who is in lockdown in Cornwall, home to the 300-year-old converted barn-turned-recording studio where she's made all of her recent albums. Follow along at home: Cardi B gets ready for the 2019 Met #HFMetGala2020 #MetGalaChallenge Met Gala 2020 Livestream Thinking of the Met on a Not-So-Typical First Monday in May Billie Porter Tori Amos' Vegan Mushroom Stew Recipe "Becoming" "I wonder what's inside your butthole" Radnor & Lee's cover of "I wonder what's inside your butthole"

Beverley and Benjamin stop by the comedian's apartment for a physically distanced well-being check. Follow along at home: 1) Brad Pitt as Dr Anthony Fauci on SNL 2) Logies cancelled 3) Bidou Zooms 4) Brigid Delaney's three day festival 5) Jeff Sparrow on the link between recession and longevity 6) Mrs America trailer 7) Kim's Convenience 8) Meghan Thee Stallion x Beyonce Savage Remix

Stop Everything! looks at Fiona Apple's latest album. Plus, Debbie Lee on the current state of the Australian screen industry.

Broadcaster and presenter Myf Warhurst invites us into her kitchen. Plus how are TV shows adjusting to self-isolation?

Conversations with comedians Fred Armisen and Josh Thomas, The Art Show's Namila Benson and singer songwriter Julia Jacklin.

Beverley and Benjamin go through the latest COVID 19 posts from pop culture. Plus Costa Georgiadis.

A look at the latest celebrity coronavirus content. Plus Beverley and Benjamin stumble down the Gourmet Makes wormhole.

Arnold Schwarzenegger and his miniature pets have a stern message on staying safe amid the COVID-19 crisis: 'listen to the experts, ignore the morons.'

The rest of the year will be held behind closed doors.

Are there any squares to spare after shoppers stock up for coronavirus crisis? Plus, Judith Lucy is overwhelmed and dying (unrelated to COVID-19)

Singer-songwriter Julia Jacklin stops by the Stop Everything! studio. Plus, Harvey Weinstein has been found guilty - what next for Hollywood?

Reality TV is this week's problematic favourite. Plus, Justin Bieber is in our consciousness after his latest album.

Let's drink until next morning! We talk to Dr Jane Park about Bong Joon-ho's Oscars success. Plus Steven Oliver is Faboriginal.

Whovians travelling through time and space to talk Stop Everything! through the significance of the new Doctor. Plus Kate Jinx on 'the one and only Quentin Tarantino'.

Everyone has a problematic fave, we'll ask a scholar in the field to share their relationship with theirs. Plus, why it's time you start paying attention to BTS.

Did you miss us? Beverley and Benjamin share their extra-curricular summer homework from Cats reviews to Watchmen, The Art Show's Namila Benson introduces us to black beauty vlogging plus Baker Boy on his big 2019.

Comedians Joel Creasey and Lawrence Leung join Beverley and Benjamin at the Wheeler Centre to divulge their surprising pop culture pleasures.

Me Too movement founder Tarana Burke on her work before and after #Metoo went viral in October 2017 and some of the challenges of Me Too in Australia and

Beverley and Benjamin are joined by writers Oliver Phommavanh and Jenna Guillaume at the Brisbane Writers Festival.

Sampa The Great on her new album and performing a live score for a film for the first time, Jan Fran introduces us to ContraPoints and Kanan Gill introduces us to some weird conspiracy theories. Plus Rainbow Chan destroys us with a live performance.

Beverley and Benjamin are joined by writers Brittney Cooper, Omar Sakr and Zoe Norton Lodge at the SWF.

We look back at the last decade of pop culture - from polarising figures to how our phones and platforms changed the way we consume media - with The Guardian's culture editor Steph Harmon and playwright, TV writer and actor Nakkiah Lui.

The L Word showrunner Ilene Chaiken on why they've rebooted the cult queer series 10 years later and film curator Kate Jinx on the legacy of the original series, plus WNYC producer Shima Oliaee on the two-year journey of making hit new podcast Dolly Parton’s America.

Neo-soul singer Ngaiire treats us to some new music, we look at how autism is represented in pop culture, and we feel a little clucky over baby Yoda.

Our Survivor Correspondent Shannon Gaitz on the #metoo controversy surrounding the latest episodes of US Survivor, we examine that Prince Andrew interview and should people be watching/reading/listening to things at speed?

Me Too movement founder Tarana Burke on her work before and after #Metoo went viral in October 2017 and some of the challenges of Me Too in Australia, comedian Josh Thomas revisits Seinfeld, and Ricky Gervais hosts the Golden Globes AGAIN.

Call Your Girlfriend’s Aminatou Sow on celebrity culture, Neighbour's star Georgie Stone gives us a pop culture confession and we solve a mystery for satirist Mark Humphries.

Netflix cofounder Marc Randolph on the beginnings of the streaming game-changer, ABC's Life Osman Faruqi weighs in on Kanye West's new gospel album, and Awaye!'s Daniel Browning looks back at David Bowie's Let's Dance video.

We get distracted by the return of Oscar Isaac/nerd out about the final trailer for the new Star Wars movie with Lawrence Leung, look at the new Prince Harry and Meghan Markle documentary with our Sussex correspondent Santilla Chingaipe, and Out Magazine's Raquel Willis on who’s shifting the culture in music, arts and entertainment.

ABC's Good Game Rad Yeo answers Lady Gaga's question ('What's fortnight') and explains why the hugely popular game (Fortnite) mysteriously disappeared for 48 hours, we take a visit to PAX gaming festival, and Costa makes a pop culture confession.

In a special episode of comedy highlights: The Kates and writer Jessica Walton on Get Krack!n's distinktly inkompetent episode fokussing on disability, Ronny Chieng tries to fill in for Benjamin Law and the video/song that satirist Mark Humphries thinks about a lot.

Untitled Goose Game co-creator Jake Strasser and composer Dan Golding about their indie gaming hit, chiptune producer Jamatar and games composer Belinda Coomes on making music for and using games, and why is Beverley watching The Masked Singer?

Comedians Joel Creasey and Lawrence Leung join Beverley and Benjamin at the Wheeler Centre to divulge their surprising pop culture pleasures.

Comedian and writer Bjorn Stewart on Saturday Night Live's hiring and firing of Shane Gillis plus he shares a nerdy pop culture confession, Slate's Dear Prudence AKA Daniel Mallory Ortberg on writing and giving advice on the internet and we take a look at She Said - the new book about the Harvey Weinstein investigation and the #metoo movement.

Writer Anna Barnes and director Daley Pearson on their viral smart-phone series Content, comedian Suren Jayemanne on his new comedy podcast special and food youtubers, and Caroline Calloway.

Beverley and Benjamin are joined by writers Oliver Phommavanh and Jenna Guillaume at the Brisbane Writers Festival.

Comedian Fred Armisen on finding humour in details, Cantopopstar and activist Denise Ho on music as protest, and small screens critic Aimee Knight on Netflix's new Dark Crystal series and the enduring legacy of Jim Henson.

It's been five years since the Gamergate hashtag blew up on the internet - how did it unfold and what is its legacy? Plus Swiftie Kaitlyn Plyley on the singer's latest album and the latest news in the MCU.

The Farewell director and screenwriter Lulu Wang on bringing her own family's true story to the screen, street art photography legend Martha Cooper talks about her life and work on the release of a new Australian documentary about her work and Survivor Australia's Jonathan LaPaglia takes us behind the scenes of the show.

Rae Johnston on the online responses to the two mass shootings in the US, we discuss the life and legacy of Toni Morrison with Dr Denise Chapman, plus why are people flocking to Australian survivor?

Sampa The Great talks about her latest music and first live score, Tom Gleeson reveals a love for Rusty and filmmaker Serge Ou on Kung Fu as counterculture.

Marvel embarks on its dramatic 4th phase, musician Rainbow Chan talks us through her new album and we feast on the MasterChef drama. Plus how the heck do musicians make a living?

Jamie Morton take us behind the sexy scenes of hit podcast My Dad Wrote A Porno, Jan Fran says goodbye to The Feed and introduces us to Youtuber ContraPoints, satirist Mark Humphries steps into the Pop Culture Confessional and we share our roar feelings about the new The Lion King.

Hunter Page Lochard on Play School's 'Acknowledgement of Country' episode, we meet three First Nations drag queens and revisit Brigg's internet journey.

Comedian Claudia O’Doherty's new ABC Comedy web series, visual artist Hannah Brontë and hip hop artist Kween G on Motherlode and Series Mania's Francois-Pier Pelinard-Lambert on TV trends.

Happy EOFY! To celebrate Beverley and Benjamin are joined by podcaster Helen Zaltzman, comedy writer Bec Shaw, journalist Naaman Zhou & hip hop artist Remi Kolawole to discuss the best and worst stories in pop culture so far this year, and get in some early ‘best of’ picks for 2019.

Acclaimed director Richard Lowenstein on his new documentary about INXS' Michael Hutchence, Junkee's Jared Richards shares his thoughts on Taylor Swift's new Pride-themed video clip and we meet Youtube star Korean Billy.

Rae Johnston brings us all the news out of E3, we meet cosplayers and fans at Oz Comic Con and we catch up with comedian and journalist Aamer Rahman.

Footage from Aretha Franklin's 1972 live album recording finally sees the light of day, we look at Tank Man on the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre and for Eid we appreciate some viral Muslim memes.

99% Invisible's Avery Trufelman lets us in on some of the design podcast's secrets, multi-hyphenate New York street culture vulture Bobbito Garcia on his autobiographical documentary and Golden Gibbo-nominated comedian Margot Tanjutco dishes on romcoms and performs a song for us.

Fans are not happy with the Game of Thrones finale so what happens when fans turn and go full stan? ABC Indigenous' Margaret Ross on creating their deadly social media content and their mission to Indigenise cyberspace plus video artist Arthur Jafa on his short film Love is the Message, the Message is Death.

We prepare for the grand finales of the Eurovision song contest (with academic Jess Carniel), the Australian election (with comedian Michael Hing) and Game of Thrones (with Ben's feelings).

This year's Met Gala theme was "camp" but did the celebs pull it off? NGV curator Katie Somerville and Miss First Nations finalist Chocolate Boxx weigh in. Plus journalist Eileen Ormsby takes us to the dark web.

At the SWF, Beverley and Benjamin are joined by writers Brittney Cooper, Omar Sakr and Zoe Norton Lodge.

In a special podcast extra Benjamin Law is forced to relive the Battle of Winterfell with Beverley Wang, who has never seen an episode of Game of Thrones.

Beyonce delivers the goods and creates her own black university with her Netflix concert film Homecoming, social documentary photographer and celebrated artist William Yang gives us a tour of Sydney's underground queer party scene, and Indian comedian Kanan Gill introduces us to some strange conspiracy theories about Finland and Britney Spears.

It's Easter/Passover so we're bringing you some eggcellent 2019 highlights from millennial burnout to some questions about the nature of Mario and Luigi's relationship.

We get to know Lil Nas X and Billie Eilish, two chart-dominating teen stars who are shaking up the music industry with their internet savvy and genre non-conforming ways, and we cover the latest gaming news.

Recappers James Weir (MAFS) and Natalie Bochenski (Game of Thrones) on the art of the recap, and with Games of Thrones ending, what the heck should we watch instead? Plus emerging comedians Aurelia St Clair and Annie Louey on their shows at MICF.

Briggs takes us to his favourite place on the world wide web, we look at K-pop's #metoo reckoning and from Get Krack!n's finale to Egg Boy, it's all about eggs.

We look at live streaming and the responsibility of social media platforms in the wake of the Christchurch terrorist attack, talk over the documentary detailing sexual abuse allegations against Michael Jackson and our teen correspondent mourns the cancellation of Netflix's One Day at a Time.

Comedian Ronny Chieng tries to fill in for Benjamin Law and introduces us to a haunting video of a fish eating a bird, the world wide web turns 30 and documentary maker Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore on her efforts to crew her music video shoots almost entirely with women.

For International Women's Day, Beverley talks feminism(s) with The Wave's Noreen Malone and journalist Joan Morgan. Plus Carly Findlay introduces us to five disabled and chronically ill fashionistas to follow online.

Green Book isn't our cup of tea, the internet seems to finally be making an effort to be less of a trash place (and speaking of the web, our pals at The Signal take us somewhere weird) PLUS Bev tries to get her podcast mojo back.

The Screen Show's Jason Di Rosso and Lauren Carroll Harris pair up with Stop Everything's Beverley Wang and Benjamin Law with a hot off the press Oscars special podcast. We break down the winners, the losers, the memorable speeches and how the hostless Academy Awards played out.

Get Krack!n's Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan - with the help of writer Jessica Walton - dedicate an episode of their distinktly inkompetent morning show to disability, Indigicon is coming to Australia so we speak to Lee Francis (founder of the US-based Indigicon) and Cienan Muir (director of the Australian Indigicon) PLUS Frozen 2, live-action Aladdin and some MAFS follow up.

Feminist icon Clementine Ford shares why she's obsessed with Channel 9's Married At First Sight, Double J's Zan Rowe dishes on what went down at the Grammy Awards and The Guardian's Naaman Zhou asks whether Mario respects Luigi?

Liam Neeson's inflammatory race-based comments (we wish we didn't have to do this), Dolly Doctor on Netflix's Sex Education, Eurovision-hopefuls Electric Fields and Spotify drops over $200 million on podcast production house Gimlet.

A recap of the Studio 10 showdown between Kerri-Anne Kennerly and Yumi Stynes over the January 26th protests, Assoc Prof Andrea Carson and former Buzzfeed head of quizzes Matthew Perpetua assess the legacy and future of Buzzfeed following a swathe of job cuts, and we take a trip to Midsumma's Drag A Thon to look at the impact of Rupaul's Drag Race on the Australian drag scene.

Buzzfeed’s senior culture writer Anne Helen Petersen on her viral essay 'How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation", Junkee Music editor Jules LeFevre on the new Fyre Festival documentaries and teen correspondent Kasey Theuma unpacks the JJJ hottest 100 countdown.

Angharad Yeo on e-sports, Australian director Corrie Chen shares her feels on the first majority Asian-American Hollywood film for 25 years Crazy Rich Asians, and we're joined by one of the film's stars, Ronny Chieng.