Larry Wilmore: Black on the Air

Larry is joined by journalist and MSNBC political analyst Juanita Tolliver to discuss her new book, ‘A More Perfect Party: The Night Shirley Chisholm and Diahann Carroll Reshaped Politics’. They begin their conversation by talking about what inspired Tolliver to write about the legendary political fundraiser and shining a light on the many influential luminaries that were in attendance, including Huey Newton, Flip Wilson, and Berry Gordy. After the break, Larry and Juanita talk about the converging ideologies that aligned themselves with Chisholm’s groundbreaking campaign and draw comparisons between her and Kamala Harris’s recent bid for the presidency (30:19). Juanita ends the pod by contemplating on who could fill Shirley Chisholm’s revolutionary shoes in today’s politics, and sharing some of the favorite things she learned while researching the book (46:03). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Juanita Tolliver Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 26 January 2025

Larry is joined by CNN Anchor and Chief Legal Analyst Laura Coates, and they begin their conversation by talking about Laura’s stylistic approach to the interviews she conducts on her show ‘Laura Coates Live’. They then break down the defamation case between ABC News and Donald Trump and discuss the reasons why there is currently a general mistrust in the mainstream media (11:30). This leads to a conversation about how to avoid bias in journalism and the role social media plays in people’s perception of the news (18:08). After the break, Larry and Laura look ahead to Trump’s upcoming inauguration and examine the legalities behind some of the executive orders he wants to enact on his first day in office (26:37). They end the pod by examining the definitions between the right and left political factions, shining a light on how the rest of the world may be preparing for the new presidential administration, and speculating on how long the Trump/Musk love affair will last (44:30). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Laura Coates Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 19 January 2025

Larry weighs in on the L.A. fires. He’s then joined by writer and Academy Award-winning filmmaker RaMell Ross to discuss his newest movie ‘Nickel Boys ’(8:33). They begin their conversation by talking about how the project came together, RaMell's experimental inspirations, and the screenwriting process with co-writer Joslyn Barnes. Next, they dive into RaMell’s personal connection with the Colson Whitehead novel that provides the movie's base and break down the "epic banal" philosophy behind the images in his storytelling (24:10). After the break, Larry and RaMell shine a light on the exquisite casting for ‘Nickel Boys’ and discuss what Ross took away personally from making the film (36:14). RaMell ends the pod by discussing why he loves teaching so much and his thoughts on the state of the movie industry (55L43). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: RaMell Ross Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 11 January 2025

Larry is joined by Emmy Award-winning writer and producer Alan Zweibel to discuss his experiences working on ‘Saturday Night Live’ during its first few years on the air. Alan begins the conversation by sharing his feelings about the 50th anniversary of ‘SNL’ and detailing the anatomy of a good joke. Larry and Alan then talk about Lorne Michaels’s original concepts for the show and detail the inspiration for some of Zweibel’s favorite sketches (15:34). Next, they examine some of the iconic performers and hosts who made those first shows so special, including Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, and Andy Kaufman (24:36). After the break, they talk about the lasting influence of ‘SNL’s early commercial parodies and pay tribute to the great Gilda Radner (38:11). Alan ends the show by remembering some of the lessons he learned as one of the original writers at ‘SNL’ and some of the projects he has lined up for the future (49:17). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Alan Zweibel Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 22 December 2024

Larry is joined by technology journalist Emily Chang to talk about her Bloomberg Originals limited series ‘Posthuman’, and her podcast ‘The Circuit’, which features interviews with influential figures in the tech industry. They begin their conversation by discussing the inspiration for ‘Posthuman’, which delves into humanity’s connection to artificial intelligence, and shine light on some of AI's latest innovations. Larry and Emily then touch on many hot-button topics regarding AI, including its uses for medicine, warfare, and mental health (15:57). They end the pod by sharing their predictions, hopes, and fears about the future of AI (37:33). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Emily Chang Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 7 December 2024

Larry is joined by writer and historian Timothy Shenk to discuss his newest book, ‘Left Adrift: What Happened to Liberal Politics’. They begin their conversation by talking about why they think the Democrats failed with their messaging in the 2024 election and what the rise of Trumpism means about American culture today. Next, Shenk shares the historic and societal reasons he was inspired to write his book, which tells the story of modern Democratic ideology through the lens of highly influential political thinkers like Stan Greenburg (19:23). They then look at historical figures like George Wallace and Eugene McCarthy to see how their vision of populism led to the rise of politicians like Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders, and Barack Obama (24:50). After the break, Larry and Tim debate what the Democrats can do to reconnect to the working and lower classes and examine which major political party is best positioned for success going forward (52:05). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Timothy Shenk Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 25 November 2024

Larry weighs in on the results of the presidential election and the future of the Democratic Party. He’s then joined by political commentator and host of the new iHeartRadio podcast ‘Off the Cupp’, S.E. Cupp, and they begin their conversation by sharing their reactions to Donald Trump winning the presidential election (18:01). They then examine the apparent cultural shift in America to the idealistic right and the viability of Trumpism in the Republican Party (30:46). This leads to a discussion about the appointment of Matt Gaetz for attorney general and Elon Musk’s influence on Trump's developing administration (40:24). After the break, Larry and S.E. shine a light on what’s left of "wokeism" in politics and discuss their biggest fears about the impending Trump presidency (55:28). They end the pod by diving into the state of cable news and trying to make sense of the Tucker Carlson zeitgeist (1:07:16). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: S.E. Cupp Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 17 November 2024

Larry is joined by comedian Samantha Bee and chief content officer at The Daily Beast, Joanna Coles to discuss their latest venture ‘The Daily Beast Podcast’. They begin their conversation by shining a light on how they started the podcast and the interesting way Joanna connects creative luminaries in her industry. They then quickly pivot to an examination of the divisive nature of the Republican party, speculate on how either Trump or Harris will win the election, and dive into the government's flawed response to the COVID epidemic (15:41). After the break Larry, Sam, and Joanna talk about how they consume news, Melania Trump’s book, and Kamala Harris’s biggest hurdles as we race closer to election day (38:32). Host: Larry Wilmore Guests: Samantha Bee and Joanna Coles Producer: Chris Sutton  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 2 November 2024

Larry is joined by journalist and writer Craig Unger to discuss his newest book ‘Den of Spies: Reagan, Carter, and the Secret History of the Treason That Stole the White House’ which investigates the secret collusion between the U.S. government and Iran and how it affected the 1980 presidential election. They begin the pod by diving into the history of the C.I.A.’s involvement in the middle east and how the events in the book led to future events like the Iran-Contra scandal. This leads to a conversation about the myriad of famous participants involved in these covert operations and how the media turned a blind eye to the truth while it was going on (23:30). After the break, Larry and Craig shine a light on the mysterious deaths that happened during those years before talking about the current state of the C.I.A. (34:05). Finally, they examine Donald Trump’s compromising ties to both the Russian mob and government (48:58). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Craig Unger Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 27 October 2024

Larry weighs in on his recent tour, the newest season of ‘Reasonable Doubt’, and the upcoming presidential election. He’s then joined by writer, statistician, and founder of the site FiveThirtyEight Nate Silver to discuss his newest book ‘On the Edge: The Art of Risking Everything’ (15:27). They begin their conversation by talking about why certain types of people get into gambling and the importance of preparation when going into high stakes competitions (21:08). Nate then details how he got into politics before breaking down the process of his calculations and predictions (31:44). After the break they categorize different types of gamblers into ‘fox’ and ‘hedgehog’ categories and apply these descriptors to individuals operating in society (48:43). Larry and Nate end the pod by making election and sports predictions (1:07:28). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Nate Silver Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 20 October 2024

Larry is joined by historian and author Yuval Noah Harari in front of an audience at Live Talks LA to discuss his newest book ‘Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI’. They begin their conversation by talking about the nature of information and how it's been manipulated throughout human history, starting with the invention of the printing press and book distribution up to the complications of present day media. Next, they break down the role different bureaucracies play in controlling information from the public (33:49). This leads to a debate about what dangers and benefits AI technology pose for the future of humanity, and whether or not AI can teach itself to have a moral compass (43:35). Finally, Larry and Yuval take questions from some of the attendees (1:04:12). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Yuval Noah Harari Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 5 October 2024

Larry is joined by journalist and host of CNN’s ‘NewsNight’ Abby Phillip and they begin their conversation by discussing Donald Trump and his influence on the news media and the Republican party. They then pivot to Kamala Harris and shine a light on her meteoric rise to top of the Democratic ticket and break down the effectiveness of her media strategy heading down the stretch of the election (15:38). After the break Abby talks about why civil disagreements are the essential fuel for her nightly show ‘NewsNight with Abby Phillip’ and shares her assessment on the state of TV journalism (38:39). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Abby Phillip Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 21 September 2024

Larry weighs in on the debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. He’s then joined by producer Will Packer to discuss his new Peacock limited series ‘Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist’. They begin their conversation by discussing the premise and history behind the project which leads to a discussion about the art of creating content in today’s entertainment industry (12:57). After the break Larry and Will shine a light on the artistic way Don Cheadle, Kevin Hart, Terrence Howard, and Samuel L. Jackson embody their individual characters in ‘Fight Night’, which tells the story of a heist that took place at a Muhammad Ali boxing match (37:52). Finally, Will talks about his journey to becoming one of Hollywood’s top producers and shares some sage advice to aspiring filmmakers (56:06). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Will Packer Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 14 September 2024

Larry weighs in on the state of the presidential race and shares some of dates of his upcoming tour. He’s then joined by Sophia Cai from Axios and they begin their conversation by talking about Kamala Harris’s historic rise to Democratic presidential nominee and the change in party dynamics after Joe Biden dropped out of the race. They then examine Kamala’s running mate Tim Walz before breaking down the differences between the Harris and Biden campaigns, and the contributions Barack Obama has made to the current movement (27:40). After the break Larry and Sophia take a look at the biggest issues motivating voters this election and speculate on how Kamala will do versus Trump in their upcoming date and how she'll deal with the press between now and November (44:26). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Sophia Cai Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 24 August 2024

Larry is joined by actor, writer, and comedian Langston Kerman to talk about his brand new Netflix stand-up comedy special ‘Bad Poetry’, streaming on Aug. 20th. They begin their conversation by breaking down different types of comedy writing and examining Langston’s process when coming up with themes for a special. This leads to discussions about dating apps, love relationships, and biraciality, and how each of those subjects contribute to Langston’s art (13:03). After the break, Larry and Langston share stories that reflect the obstacles and triumphs they faced during their respective comedy writing careers (34:14). They end the pod by debating the viability of some of their favorite conspiracy theories and shining a light on Langston’s podcast ‘My Momma Told Me’ which deals with those subjects from a black perspective (45:52). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Langston Kerman Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 17 August 2024

Larry weighs in on his favorite moments from the 2024 Olympics so far, Tim Walz, Trump’s wild press conference, and the state of Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign. He’s then joined by former world champion track-and-field athlete Marion Jones and they begin their conversation by discussing her journey from teenage phenom athlete to a star on the U.S. Olympic team (14:09). They then talk about the struggles Marion faced throughout her athletic career with the spectre of performance enhancing drugs and discuss the importance of relaying her tumultuous story to the youth for inspiration (21:29). After the break they shine a light on Marion’s partnership with Driven Inc., a program that seeks to motivate athletes and entrepreneurs to find balance in their careers and be open to reinvention to gain success (42:52). Larry and Marion end the pod by sharing their favorite athletes and moments from the Paris Olympics (52:34). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Marion Jones Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 10 August 2024

Larry weighs in on this week’s attacks against Kamala Harris by the right-wing media. He’s then joined by Governor of Maryland Wes Moore and they begin their conversation by discussing the many accomplishments Moore has performed for his state, and the general mood of the Democratic Party after Joe Biden dropped out of the race and Kamala Harris stepped in as the presumptive presidential nominee (9:16). They end the pod by talking about what Vice President Harris needs to do moving forward to unite her party and ultimately win in November against Donald Trump (29:13). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Governor Wes Moore Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 27 July 2024

Larry weighs in on Joe Biden dropping out of the presidential race. He’s then joined by professor, author, and entrepreneur Scott Galloway; they begin their conversation by discussing the art of doing interviews, the state of mainstream TV as a viable information source, and the schism between left and right political ideologies (16:47). They then shine a light on the importance of proper mentorships for young men in today’s culture, and how this lack of guardrails has negatively impacted our society in the last century (47:53). Larry and Scott end the pod by examining Galloway’s most recent book ‘The Algebra of Wealth,’ and break down the philosophy of finding what you're good at, rather than following your passion as means for stabilizing your finances for the future (58:23). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Scott Galloway Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 21 July 2024

Larry weighs in on President Joe Biden. He’s then joined by director, playwright, and Emmy Award-winning actor Colman Domingo to discuss his latest film ‘Sing Sing’ (13:55). They begin their conversation by talking about the process of choosing roles for a project and describing the premise of ‘Sing Sing’, which centers around a group of prison inmates that organize and perform a play. This leads to a discussion about the real-life program Rehabilitation Through the Arts that helps people escape from the realities of incarceration through creativity, and the importance of the arts in our society, particularly impoverished communities (29:14). Colman ends the pod by sharing how he “downloads” characteristics into his creative process when fleshing out a role and shining a light on the emotional reactions he received from some of the pre-release screenings of ‘Sing Sing’ (40:35). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Colman Domingo Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 13 July 2024

Larry is joined by comedian Bill Maher in front of a live audience at Live Talks L.A. to discuss his new book “What This Comedian Said Will Shock You”. They begin by shining a light on how Bill compiled his favorite editorials from ‘Real Time with Bill Maher’ for the book and contrasting the focus of the hit HBO series with the celebrity formatted vibes of his previous show ‘Politically Incorrect’. This leads to a conversation about the difficulties of staying true to your artistic principles in modern culture and how to deal with the specter of white guilt in the internet age (9:01). They then pivot to the presidential race between Biden and Trump, and analyze the prevalence of self-imposed ignorance in both the two major political parties and society at large (33:29). After the break, Larry and Bill answer hot-button questions from some of the event attendees (52:45). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Bill Maher Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 22 June 2024

Larry is joined by writer, producer, and showrunner Janine Sherman Barrois to discuss her latest venture ‘The Big Cigar’ currently streaming on Apple TV+. They begin their conversation by discussing the difficulties of making a genuine high budget biopic that features such a polarizing cultural icon like Huey Newton. Janine then shares what she learned about the Black Panthers during the creation process, in particular the group’s deep awareness of their image in relation to the media (17:50). Larry and Janine end the pod by talking about the importance of gathering contemporary accounts when making period pieces, praising the amazing cast of ‘The Big Cigar’, and giving advice to upstart writers looking to get into show business (38:34). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Janine Sherman Barrois Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 15 June 2024

Larry is joined by actor and comedian Stephen Merchant and they begin their conversation by comparing the American and British versions of ‘The Office’, and sharing stories from making their respective iterations of the hit TV show. They then pivot to the Amazon Prime series ‘The Outlaws’ which recently premiered its third season and features Merchant as a writer, producer, and actor (17:31). During their breakdown of the show Larry and Stephen touch on subjects as wide-ranging as the viability of lonely characters in storylines, the sadness of Donald Trump, and the invigorating energy of doing stand-up comedy (21:13). They end the pod by talking about the amazing cast of ‘The Outlaws’, their love of heists, and the career lessons Merchant has learned from his many occupational hats (39:51). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Stephen Merchant Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 8 June 2024

Larry is joined by U.S. Representative from California’s 17th congressional district Ro Khanna and they begin their conversation by discussing the protest movement happening on college campuses around the U.S. and the principal factors contributing to the current conflict between Israel and Hamas. They then pivot to the congressional misconceptions surrounding TikTok before examining the viability of progressive capitalism and the role of AI in modern industry (20:22). After the break Larry and Ro try to make sense of Donald Trump’s popularity, break down the immigration issue, and talk about the most important qualities in leadership (36:46). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Rep. Ro Khanna Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 4 May 2024

Larry is joined by attorney, political commentator, and host of "The Bakari Sellers Podcast" Bakari Sellers to discuss his new book ‘The Moment: Thoughts on the Race Reckoning That Wasn't and How We All Can Move Forward Now’. They begin their conversation by discussing the importance of relatability in politics and examining the level of this quality within Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Next, Bakari breaks down the personal and sociological reasons he decided to write his book and how he hopes it can re-engage readers, particularly African-American ones, to be more active in local and national politics (15:38). After the break, Larry and Bakari talk about what today’s youth can learn from traumas and grassroots movements of the past, the value of celebrity in activism, and some of the biggest issues concerning black voters heading into the 2024 election (29:12). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Bakari Sellers Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 27 April 2024

Larry is joined by journalist and author Tiffany Cross and they begin their conversation by discussing the racial obstacles Tiffany faced during her time at MSNBC and how her passion for storytelling developed . They then dive into her new podcast ‘‘ACross Generations with Tiffany Cross’, and talk about how the show touches on, and attempts to bridge the gap between, the psychological motivations between different age groups in our society (17:55). This leads to some deep examinations on the keys to personal success, the importance of maintaining healthy dynamics within all facets of life, and the value of giving versus receiving gifts (30:20). After the break, Tiffany shares a personal story of interviewing her mom for the ‘ACross’ pod and explains the biggest existential issues stunting black relationships today (47:01). Larry and Tiffany end the pod by shining a light on Tiffany’s new political podcast ‘Native Land Pod’ and debating the viability of African-American Trump voters (1:06:05). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Tiffany Cross Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 20 April 2024

Larry is joined by Oscar and Emmy Award-Winning filmmaker and producer Ed Zwick to discuss his new memoir ‘Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions: My Fortysomething Years in Hollywood’. They begin by examining the state of the film industry against other forms of modern media and reflect on the importance of the movie-going experience in the 1970’s and 80’s. Next, Ed expounds on some of the remarkable moments he experienced working with geniuses like Woody Allen, Matthew Broderick, and Denzel Washington, and on legendary projects like ‘Special Bulletin’, ‘Glory’, and ‘Thirtysomething’ (12:40). After the break Ed offers tools to young creatives on dealing with fame, overcoming career lulls, and the finished script (45:37). Larry and Ed end the pod by talking about their favorite parts of filmmaking and the effect of streaming culture on Hollywood (54:46). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Ed Zwick Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 6 April 2024

Today, Larry reaches deep into the ‘Black on the Air’ Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram mailbags to answer some questions from some of you! Throughout the Q&A he weighs in on a myriad of burning topics including Donald Trump (11:30), the JFK assassination (24:18), ‘Cowboy Carter' (41:31), Louis Gossett Jr.(52:56), much, much more. Host: Larry Wilmore Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 31 March 2024

Larry is joined by journalist Taylor Lorenz to discuss the latest technology buzz, the state of internet culture, and her brand new podcast on Vox Media focusing on those subjects 'Power User’. They begin their conversation by breaking down the recent congressional moves to ban TikTok and analyzing whether or not our representatives are correct to be concerned about its effect on young users. Next they dive into the world of Elon Musk and X/Twitter, and shine a light on the platform’s influence on the lucrative right wing digital movement (20:11). After the break, Taylor talks about her personal ties to social media before sharing her takes on independent citizen journalism and online disinformation (36:10). Larry and Taylor end the pod with deep thoughts on the future of AI and Neuralink (51:56). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Taylor Lorenz Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 23 March 2024

Larry is joined by journalist Taylor Lorenz to discuss the latest technology buzz, the state of internet culture, and her new podcast on Vox Media focusing on these subjects called 'Power User’. They begin their conversation by breaking down the recent congressional moves to ban TikTok and analyzing whether or not our representatives are correct to be concerned about its effect on young users. Next, they dive into the world of Elon Musk and X/Twitter, and shine a light on the platform’s influence on the lucrative right wing digital movement (20:11). After the break, Taylor talks about her personal ties to social media before sharing her takes on independent citizen journalism and online disinformation (36:10). Larry and Taylor end the pod with deep thoughts on the future of AI and Neuralink (51:56). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Taylor Lorenz Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 23 March 2024

Larry is joined by Emmy and Peabody Award-winning journalist Antonia Hylton to talk about her latest book ‘Madness: Race and Insanity in a Jim Crow Asylum’. They begin their conversation by talking about what inspired Antonia to write about the Crownsville mental health facility and the tribulations surrounding black mental health in the early part of the 20th century. Next, Antonia details her personal connection to the book's subject via the tragic story of her dad’s cousin Maynard who struggled with schizophrenia and Larry reads a powerful passage from ‘Madness’ that leads to a discussion about residual effects of terror tactics used by racists during the Jim Crow era (22:08). After the break they shine a light on how Crownsville evolved over time to become an integrated and valuable resource for the local black community until it's closure in the early 2000’s (40:52). Antonia ends the pod by offering accessible ways to propagate positive mental health accessibility and acceptability in working class societies going forward (56:57). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Antonia Hylton Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 2 March 2024

Larry is joined by Emmy Award-winning and Oscar-nominated VFX supervisor Andrew Roberts to discuss his work on the movie ‘The Creator’ currently streaming on Hulu. They begin their conversation by breaking down the movie’s plot, examining Andrew’s creative approach to VFX, and detailing his collaboration process with director Gareth Edwards and production designer James Clyne. Next, Andrew talks about the biggest challenges he faced during the making of ‘The Creator’ and his favorite moments from the film (22:57). After the break, Larry asks Andrew about how he got started in digital effects as a career and what legendary movies inspired him to dive into the realm (39:19). They end the pod by debating the effects of AI on the futures of both filmmaking and humanity (52:05). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Andrew Roberts Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 17 February 2024

Larry is joined by Emmy Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated writer and director Cord Jefferson to discuss his newest film ‘American Fiction’. They begin their conversation by reminiscing about their time together on ‘The Nightly Show’ and marvel at the amazing journey that Cord's career has taken up to this moment. They then shift to ‘American Fiction’ and discuss the myriads of genres the movie attempts to encompass and how its main character Monk, played by Jeffrey Wright, reflects the real limitations put on Black writers in Hollywood (5:10). This leads to a discussion on the process of adapting a screenplay from an original book, in this case ‘Erasure’ by Percival Everett, and how Cord used his journalism "superpower" to navigate his transition from TV to cinema storytelling (13:38). After the break, Cord talks about the diverse reactions he’s received from people who have seen ‘American Fiction’ and shares an educational showbiz story passed along by legendary actress and member of the film's cast, Leslie Uggams (41:22). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Cord Jefferson Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Additional Production: Kyle Williams Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 11 February 2024

Larry is joined by Academy Award-nominated writer and producer David Hemingson to discuss his latest film ‘The Holdovers’. They begin the conversation by discussing the creative layers within the movie’s story structure and David’s working process with director Alexander Payne. They then dive into the deeply personal inspirations for each of the film’s main characters and how the talents of stars Paul Giamatti, Dominic Sessa, and D’aVine Joy Randolph were essential their development (22:13). After the break, Larry and David shine a light on the technical aspects of ‘The Holdovers’ and speak on its myriad of '70s cinematic influences (44:59). David ends the pod by sharing some advice for aspiring storytellers and examining the role of comedy in all of his projects (55:26). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: David Hemingson Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 4 February 2024

Larry is joined by legendary filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner to discuss his 10-part podcast series titled ‘Who Killed JFK?’ currently available at iHeart and co-hosted by Soledad O’Brien. Rob begins by recalling when he first heard about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and talking about how the ultra-famous murder mystery has continued to pique his interest throughout his lifetime. They then break down all of major suspects and motives within the conspiracy before debating Lee Harvey Oswald’s level of involvement (9:17). After the break, Rob and Larry dive into how the crime was covered up, share their individual theories on the matter, and ponder if the truth about JFK’s assassination will ever be revealed to the public (41:02). Larry ends the pod by giving big flowers to Rob’s father, comedy great Carl Reiner (56:30). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Rob Reiner Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 20 January 2024

Larry is joined by writer Tina Nguyen and they begin their conversation by discussing Tina’s journalistic journey and what it was like working for Tucker Carlson. From Tucker’s disdain for her high school principal to firing her, Tina gives an insight on what Tucker the person is like (2:34). They then discuss why MAGA hasn’t embraced Ron DeSantis, differences between MAGA and conservatism, and how MAGA can be so brilliant, yet so weak-minded. They also discuss what the Convention of States is (34:03). Finally, they end the pod by predicting whether Donald Trump will win the 2024 nomination, and talking about who the intellectuals involved in the movement are (40:43). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Tina Nguyen Producer: Kyle Williams Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 8 January 2024

Larry starts the pod with a replay of a lovely conversation with his daughter Lauren Wilmore on the history and impact of the classic song ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’. He’s then joined by legendary director and producer Reggie Hudlin to discuss his new holiday film ‘Candy Cane Lane’ streaming on Amazon Prime and give flowers to its star Eddie Murphy (17:23). They then examine the process of casting a great movie, societies post-pandemic movie-going habits, and the state of the cinema industry (43:16). Finally, Larry and Reggie end the pod by talking about the challenges within storytelling for adults and the art of being a creative executive before sharing their lists of favorite Christmas specials (56:02). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Reginald Hudlin Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 23 December 2023

Larry is joined by journalist Donie O’Sullivan to discuss his new CNN documentary—‘Waiting for JFK: Reporting From the Fringe’—that aired on ‘The Whole Story With Anderson Cooper.’ They begin their conversation talking about how Donie was inspired to create a one-hour special on the fringe conspiracy group that formed in Texas who believe JFK and JFK Jr. are alive and descend from Jesus Christ, and, additionally, that JFK Jr. is Donald Trump (4:50). They discuss similar conspiracy theories that have formed, such as QAnon and its connection to disenchantment and the exploitation of peoples’ losses (22:38). Finally, they end the pod by returning to the JFK conspiracy, discussing how Donie got kicked off of X, and breaking down Donie’s experiences at Trump rallies and with conspiracists in the field (60:57). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Donie O’Sullivan Producer: Olivia Crerie Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 16 December 2023

Larry pays tribute to friend and comedic legend Norman Lear by revisiting the very first ‘Larry Wilmore: Black on the Air’ episode, which features an in-depth interview with the iconic producer. Throughout the conversation they discuss Norman’s early days before his television career, the cultural impact of ‘All in the Family,’ and much more. Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Norman Lear Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 9 December 2023

Larry is joined by writer David Brooks in front of a live audience at Live Talks L.A. to discuss his new book ‘How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen.’ They begin their conversation by discussing his personal journey and the life lessons that inspired him to write the book. They then dive into the lack of social relationships in modern society and the importance of leading with trust and positivity in everyday interactions (8:54). This leads to discussions about the obstacles that keep people from understanding each other, the instinctively biological aspects of seeing others deeply, and their thoughts on antisemitism (29:14). They end the pod by taking questions from the audience (51:19). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: David Brooks Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 21 November 2023

Larry is joined by Denver Film’s Kevin Smith (CEO) and Matt Campbell (Artistic Director) in front of a live audience at the 2023 Denver Film Festival. They begin their conversation with a brief history of Denver Film, a look at the curation process for the festival, and their thoughts on the state of the movie industry after the pandemic. Next, Larry, Kevin, and Matt focus on the proliferation of amazing indie and international films on the DFF schedule, give advice to aspiring filmmakers, and highlight the films that have had the biggest impact on their lives (25:59). They end the pod by taking questions from some of the attendees (46:03). Host: Larry Wilmore Guests: Kevin Smith and Matt Campbell Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 11 November 2023

Larry is joined by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Errol Morris to discuss his new Apple TV+ documentary ‘The Pigeon Tunnel’ based on the memoir of the same by spy novelist John le Carre. They begin by talking about the origins of the project and how his current promotional tour is inspiring Morris to analyze his famous interview style. This leads to a discussion on the difference between interviewing and interrogating, the importance of active listening when engaging an audience, and how documentarians have to face the struggle between memory, truth, and reality when their trying to tell their stories (4:17). Next, they dive into the personal philosophy of the movie’s subject, the meaning behind the film's title, and Morris’s favorite parts of le Carre's original book (30:25). They end the pod by shining a light on the historic lessons Errol learned while making the film, the moral compass of it's subject, and modern society’s inability to accept the brutal truths of history (38:00). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Errol Morris Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 4 November 2023

Larry is joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Viet Thanh Nguyen to discuss his new memoir ‘A Man of Two Faces’. They begin their conversation by talking about why he wrote the book, how it juxtaposes his family’s experiences as Vietnamese refugees in the 1970’s to his current views on American colonialism, and the tenuous relationship between memory and trauma. Next, they dissect the distinctions between the words “immigrant” and “refugee” while examining Viet’s connections to African-American culture and classic literature (19:34). After they break, they shine a light on the misinformation within Hollywood cinema about Southeast Asian culture and explore the factors that have minimized the general perception of France’s role in the conflict historically (31:52). Viet ends the pod by sharing his definition of the American dream and paying tribute to the personal influence and memory of his beloved mother (40:05). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Viet Thanh Nguyen Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 28 October 2023

Larry is joined by science journalist Wendy Zukerman to discuss her podcast ‘Science Vs.’. They begin their conversation by discussing the inspiration and motivations behind creating a science program that searches to use delight and humor to teach people about the world around them. Next, they dive into the ongoing debate about climate change in both Australia and the U.S, and how the global pandemic has shaped society's relationship with mental health (12:16). After the break, they pit science vs. spirituality and take a look at the obstacles that arise when attempting to combat conspiracy theories and myths with facts (38:25). Finally, Wendy and Larry go through the ‘Science Vs.’ catalog and discuss the important lessons that were learned from some of the show’s most intriguing episodes (52:22). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Wendy Zukerman Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 14 October 2023

Larry is joined by journalist Dave Weigel and they begin their conversation by discussing Weigel’s career, beginning with his time as an editor for the Washington Post on through to his current role as politics writer at Semafor. They then examine the power of Donald Trump’s cult of personality and all the ways it’s shaping the modern GOP (9:46). Next they tackle the confusing narratives coming out of the war in Ukraine and how America’s attitudes toward it are being shaped by hot button cultural issues (34:11). After the break, Larry and Dave break down the individual lanes Vivek Ramaswamy and Robert Kennedy Jr. have created for themselves in the current presidential race (52:40). They end the pod by breaking down the differences between common sense and conspiracy theories while offering tips on how to find reliable sources in today’s media landscape (1:03:56). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Dave Weigel Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 7 October 2023

Larry is joined by author, journalist, and cultural critic Michael Harriot to discuss his new book ‘Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America’. They begin their conversation by exploring Michael’s incredibly thorough research style and educational roots. They then dive into how historical facts get replaced by false narratives over time and the motivations behind the western imperialists’ contributions to some of these myths (9:09). Larry and Michael then examine the factors that allow certain civilizations to dominate others and talk about the unique aspects of early American slave trade versus similar human trafficking scenarios in other parts of the world (16:33). After the break, they shine a light on Christianity’s role in the rise of white supremacy, slavery, and the colonization of America (34:15). Michael ends the pod by revealing his thoughts on the biggest obstacles facing truthful historical storytelling and the state of modern white supremacy (53:23). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Michael Harriot Producers: Chris Sutton and Mike Wargon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 23 September 2023

Larry is joined by actress, comedienne, and author Yvonne Orji to talk about her memoir ‘Bamboozled by Jesus: How God Tricked Me into the Life of My Dreams’ which was recently released on paperback. They begin their conversation by reminiscing about their time together developing the hit HBO series ‘Insecure’, shining a light on the art of collaboration, and examining the importance of developing a servant’s mentality when betting on yourself and your career. Next, Yvonne shares her experiences auditioning for the role of Molly on ‘Insecure’, managing her devout Christian faith in the chaotic world of show business, and the inspiration that drove her to write her book (19:09). After the break, Larry and Yvonne dive into what it was like growing up as a Nigerian-born immigrant, the support she received from her father, and the challenges she faced after ‘Insecure’ had stopped production (43:31). They end the pod with Yvonne’s best advice from the book and some life lessons from Larry on making distinctions rather than definitions when applying creativity to your craft (55:17). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Yvonne Orji Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 16 September 2023

Larry is joined by journalist and co-host of the ‘Today, Explained’ podcast Noel King to discuss the show’s new special series ‘Blame Capitalism’. They begin by talking about how the project came together, the political divisions within economic philosophy, and the right-wing’s ideological shift towards authoritarianism. Next, they debate America’s changing views on democracy and capitalism throughout the generations while shining a light on the beginnings of the Tea Party movement (15:49). This leads into an examination of the shareholder mentality in today’s marketplace, modern society’s relationship to unions, and the continual rise in the price of property and education (24:25). Noel ends the pod by breaking down the future of capitalism, what she learned while producing the special series, and the social impact of Vivek Ramaswamy’s presidential run (45:27). Host: Larry Wimore Guest: Noel King Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 9 September 2023

Larry is joined by journalist Kara Swisher to discuss her podcasts ‘Pivot’ and ‘On With Kara Swisher’. They begin their conversation by talking about the importance of betting on yourself when making career choices. Next, they examine the relationship between Elon Musk’s mental health and his tech empire while also shining light on the current state of tech giants Meta and Google (10:24). After the break, Larry and Kara dive into how the Iphone has changed society and debate the effects of AI on public transportation and the entertainment industry (31:12). Kara ends the pod by sharing what types of tech she thinks will still be around in a decade (55:40). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Kara Swisher Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 26 August 2023

Larry is joined by journalist and author Brian Raftery to discuss his new podcast at The Ringer called ‘Do We Get to Win This Time?’ which focuses on Hollywood's depiction of the Vietnam War during the 70's and 80's. They begin by talking about the importance of a great trailer, the excitement of seeing a classic movie on opening night, and how the podcast came together. Next, Brian and Larry share their personal connections to the war in Vietnam before diving into some of the pioneering movies that exposed society to its visceral realities, notably 'The Deer Hunter', 'Apocalypse Now', 'Rambo', and 'Platoon' (9:51). After the break, they dissect the mastery of Stanley Kubrick's 'Full Metal Jacket', ponder if there are any stories left to tell from the Vietnam conflict, and shine a light on John Wayne's influence over the cinematic depictions of the war (32:27). They end the pod by shining a light on their favorite war movies and the way different generations influence each other (1:05:22). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Brian Raftery Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 19 August 2023

Larry is joined by journalist, author, and CNN anchor Jake Tapper to discuss his new novel ‘All the Demons are Here: A Thriller’’. They begin their conversation discussing how the book combines fiction with contemporaneous real-life historical moments, particularly the rise Rupert Murdoch's media empire and tabloid culture in the late 1970s. They then dive into the current indictments facing former president Donald Trump, beginning with the most recent one that focuses on the events of January 6th, and take a look at how close Trump came to pulling off the fake elector scheme he’s being charged for (13:59). This leads to a robust conversation about the prevalence of conspiracy theories and modern society’s reverence for them (23:05). After the break, Jake and Larry dissect the classified documents and Stormy Daniels indictments while shining a light on Trump's mindset when he was committing the alleged infractions (35:37). They end the pod by talking about the likelihood of Trump serving time in prison, his political charisma, and his chances of winning re-election (45:37). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Jake Tapper Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 5 August 2023