Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist

Willie sits down with country music superstar Eric Church to reflect on his unconventional and uncompromising route to the top of Nashville. They talk about his latest album, "Evangeline Versus the Machine", and how he got his signature sunglasses look.

Transcribed - Published: 27 April 2025

Willie sat down with Emmy-winning actor Hannah Waddingham to discuss her breakout performance in the hit series "Ted Lasso". They also talk about her role in "The Fall Guy" alongside Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. (Original broadcast date April 21, 2024)

Transcribed - Published: 20 April 2025

Willie sits down with "Saturday Night Live" cast member Bowen Yang to talk about his extraordinary rise to fame. Yang opens up about his upbringing as the son of Chinese immigrants and his conflict of coming out to his parents. Bowen also discusses his role in the hugely popular movie musical "Wicked."

Transcribed - Published: 13 April 2025

Willie chats with Jon Bon Jovi about his new album, "Forever", which marks a victory in the fight to get his voice back. They also talk about his head-spinning rise from Jersey bar-singer to international superstar, and they even take a tour of his studio at his Jersey home. (Original broadcast date June 16, 2024)

Transcribed - Published: 6 April 2025

Lainey Wilson sits down with Willie Geist at Radio City Music Hall ahead of her concert to talk about making it big out of a small town, getting to work with her idols, and - despite the long journey - knowing she would always make it. (Original broadcast date June 30, 2024)

Transcribed - Published: 30 March 2025

Willie sits down with Eva Longoria to catch up on her many new projects, such as her starring role in the film "Alexander and The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip." Longoria also opens up about how her life changed after “Desperate Housewives” and her new perspective on turning 50 years old.

Transcribed - Published: 23 March 2025

Golden Globe-winning actor Don Cheadle talks to Willie Geist about his prolific career including Oscar nominations, the "Ocean's 11" franchise, and the Marvel Universe. They also talk about his new show “Fight Night: Million Dollar Heist” streaming now on Peacock, about the true story of how an epic party after Muhammad Ali’s 1970 comeback fight in Atlanta became the scene of an infamous heist. (Original broadcast date September 8, 2024)

Transcribed - Published: 16 March 2025

Hey Sunday Sitdown fans! As a bonus, we’re giving you a special preview of the first episode of an all-new season of Jenna Bush Hager’s podcast, ‘Open Book with Jenna’. In this season’s debut episode, Jenna sits down with bestselling author Rebecca Yarros. Together they talk about how Rebecca drew on her experience with chronic illness and life in a military family to write “Fourth Wing,” and her process to plot out five books in the series. To listen to the full conversation, just search ‘Open Book with Jenna’ wherever you’re listening to follow now, or click here: https://www.today.com/open-book-with-jenna

Transcribed - Published: 13 March 2025

Willie Geist sits down with former rapper turned country artist, Jelly Roll, ahead of his latest album, "Beautifully Broken". He tells the story of his troubled upbringing and how he turned it all around, now selling out the biggest arenas in the country. (Original broadcast date October 6, 2024)

Transcribed - Published: 9 March 2025

Willie sits down with Emmy and Golden Globe winning actress, Angela Bassett. They discuss her role as President of the United States in the new Netflix series, "Zero Day", starring alongside Robert Dinero. They also reflect on her decades-long career playing iconic roles such as Tina Turner in "What's Love Got to Do with It", and the Queen of Wakanda in the “Marvel” cinematic universe.

Transcribed - Published: 2 March 2025

Willie sits down with Oscar-winning actress Renee Zellweger who opens up about what she likes about playing the relatable title character Bridget Jones in the beloved franchise — a role she stepped into when the first movie was released in 2001.They talk about her new film, “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy,” her childhood growing up in Katy, Texas, and her road to the heights of Hollywood.

Transcribed - Published: 23 February 2025

As a bonus for Sunday Sitdown fans, we’re sharing the trailer for Murder in the Moonlight, an all-new original podcast series from Dateline and Keith Morrison. In this podcast, Keith Morrison takes listeners to a quiet farmhouse on America’s Great Plains, where Sharmon and Wayne Stock have just celebrated Easter with their big, loving family. That night, under a pale moon, the couple is shot to death in their bedroom. The investigation includes four suspects, spans three states, and comes down to a single shiny clue: A gold ring found at the scene of the crime. If you like what you hear, just search Murder in the Moonlight to listen to the first two episodes now, completely free. Or subscribe to Dateline Premium on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or DatelinePremium.com. Subscribers get early access to new episodes and can listen to all Dateline podcasts ad-free.

Transcribed - Published: 17 February 2025

Since starring together in The Three Amigos in 1986, Steve Martin and Martin Short have worked together on the blockbuster Father of the Bride movies, toured the country making relentless jokes at each other’s expense, and now they’re starring in a hilarious series about three neighbors working together to solve a murder in their New York City apartment building. Willie Geist sat down with the two comedy legends to talk about their series Only Murders in the Building and their friendship lasting more three decades. (Original broadcast date September 12, 2021)

Transcribed - Published: 13 February 2025

It’s been more than 10 years since Seth Meyers took the Late Night baton from his friend Jimmy Fallon, carrying on a legendary legacy started by David Letterman in 1982. Before taking over behind that desk, Meyers spent over a decade at Saturday Night Live, first as a cast member, then as Head Writer and host of “Weekend Update.” Willie Geist got together with the television host and comedian to talk about applying those writing skills to a children’s book, inspired by his three kids, and more. (Original broadcast date March 20, 2022)

Transcribed - Published: 13 February 2025

Tracy Morgan rose to the heights of comedy from the depths of poverty, growing up between Brooklyn and the Bronx. But in 2014, he nearly died in a horrific accident, when the van he was riding in was crushed by a speeding tractor trailer. Willie Geist sat down with the former Saturday Night Live star to talk about about that accident and how it changed him, his return to comedy and his hit show “The Last O.G.". (Original broadcast date March 31, 2019)

Transcribed - Published: 13 February 2025

Andy Samberg arrived at Saturday Night Live as a Featured Player in the fall of 2005, and within a couple of months he shook up the legendary show and brought it into the digital age. Willie Geist sat down with the SNL alum to talk about his time on the show and those infamous digital shorts that he produced with his comedy group “The Lonely Island”, his hit NBC comedy “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and more. (Original broadcast date January 21, 2019)

Transcribed - Published: 13 February 2025

Willie Geist sat down with his NBC neighbor, Jimmy Fallon. The two got together as Jimmy celebrated his 10-year anniversary as host of "The Tonight Show", reflecting on his long career in comedy, his years at SNL and landing the biggest job in "Late Night". (Original broadcast date May 12, 2024)

Transcribed - Published: 13 February 2025

Maya Rudolph knew from an early age that she was meant to make people laugh, but a seven-season run on “Saturday Night Live” put her comedic genius on the map. Willie Geist met the actress inside SNL’s famous Studio 8H to talk about her time on that show, including her favorite celebrity impressions and what it was like to work alongside cast members like Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. She also shares how the show served as comedy boot camp, giving her a foundation for roles in films like “Bridesmaids” and her Amazon series “Forever,” in which she stars alongside fellow SNL alum Fred Armisen. (Original broadcast date September 16, 2018)

Transcribed - Published: 13 February 2025

Willie Geist sat down with Tina Fey to talk about the return of “Mean Girls” 20-years later, with a musical movie. She discusses writing, producing and starring in both movies, after becoming a comedy icon through writing for "SNL". (Original broadcast date January 14, 2024)

Transcribed - Published: 13 February 2025

Willie Geist gets together with comedy icon Will Ferrell to talk about his new movie, "You're Cordially Invited", starring alongside Reese Witherspoon. The two also discuss Ferrell’s recent documentary with friend Harper Steele, "Will and Harper", and reflect on Ferrell's time on SNL ahead of its 50th anniversary.

Transcribed - Published: 9 February 2025

Willie Geist sat down with Nate Bargatze at City Winery in front of a live audience for the first ever Sunday Sitdown Live. Bargatze talks all about his rise in comedy - from performing for one person in a small club, to selling out arenas around the world. They also discuss new family-friendly plans for the "Nateland" empire and answer some questions from the audience.

Transcribed - Published: 2 February 2025

Willie Geist sits down with one of the biggest young stars in music, Kelsea Ballerini. They talk about her latest album, "Patterns", and her gig as a coach on "The Voice." Ballerini also reflects on her choice to move to Nashville as a teenager to pursue country music. (Original broadcast date October 27, 2024)

Transcribed - Published: 31 January 2025

Willie Geist sits down with 7-time Grammy winner, Kacey Musgraves. The two get together at Electric Lady Studios to talk about the inspiration for her latest album, her writing process and finding success while bucking convention in Nashville. (Original broadcast date March 10, 2024)

Transcribed - Published: 31 January 2025

Willie Geist sits down with former rapper turned country artist, Jelly Roll, ahead of his latest album, "Beautifully Broken". He tells the story of his troubled upbringing and how he turned it all around, now selling out the biggest arenas in the country. (Original broadcast date October 6, 2024)

Transcribed - Published: 31 January 2025

Willie Geist sits down with 16-time Grammy winner, Alicia Keys. The two get together at the Schubert Theater in New York to talk about Alicia's incredible career full of beautiful music and the new Broadway musical inspired by her own extraordinary life. (Original broadcast date April 14, 2024)

Transcribed - Published: 31 January 2025

Lainey Wilson sits down with Willie Geist at Radio City Music Hall ahead of her concert to talk about making it big out of a small town, getting to work with her idols and - despite the long journey - knowing she would always make it. (Original broadcast date June 30, 2024)

Transcribed - Published: 31 January 2025

Willie Geist talks to Cynthia Erivo about the release of the highly anticipated Hollywood adaptation of the Broadway classic, "Wicked". Erivo gets her first look at the "Wicked" Billboards in Times Square and shares her experience playing "Elphaba" opposite Ariana Grande's "Glinda", both Oscar-nominated for their roles. (Original broadcast date November 10, 2024.)

Transcribed - Published: 26 January 2025

Willie sits down with acting icon, Glenn Close, to talk about her latest role in the film “Back in Action”, starring alongside Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx. Glenn reflects on her 50-year acting career that covered Broadway, television, and movies, and opens up about her early days of acting in New York City.

Transcribed - Published: 19 January 2025

Willie sits down with Mariska Hargitay, also known as "Olivia Benson" on one of the longest running prime-time dramas in the history of television: "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit". They look back on 26 seasons, her electric chemistry with co-star Christopher Meloni, and how the show inspired her to create the Joyful Heart Foundation.

Transcribed - Published: 12 January 2025

Willie sits down with Lisa Kudrow to talk about her starring role in the new Netflix series, "No Good Deed," alongside Ray Romano. She also reflects on her time starring in “Friends,” one of the most popular and enduring shows in the history of television.

Transcribed - Published: 5 January 2025

Willie sat down with the legendary Carol Burnett to talk about her new series "Palm Royale" on Apple TV+, and her rise from a difficult childhood to become one of the funniest and most influential people in American culture. (Original broadcast date March 31, 2024)

Transcribed - Published: 22 December 2024

Willie gets together with Billy Crystal in NYU Tisch's "Jack Crystal Theater" named for his late father. Billy opens up about his time in film school at NYU and about his professor, the legendary film director Martin Scorsese. They chat about the enduring legacy of "When Harry Met Sally" and about his acclaimed new series, "Before."

Transcribed - Published: 15 December 2024

Willie sat down with actor Colman Domingo to talk about his long road to the Hollywood spotlight, which began on stage and continued with major projects like, "Fear the Walking Dead," "Euphoria," and his acclaimed performance in "Rustin." (Original broadcast date January 21, 2024)

Transcribed - Published: 8 December 2024

As a bonus for Sunday Sitdown fans, we’re sharing the trailer for Deadly Mirage, an all-new original podcast series from Dateline and Josh Mankiewicz. The story takes place in the Silver Lakes, a lush manmade oasis in California’s Mojave Desert, where Rob and Sabrina Limon seem to have the perfect life: two young children, a beautiful home, and a tight-knit group of friends. But when Rob is found murdered, investigators uncover deep secrets about sex, friendship and religion that shatter carefully crafted illusions... If you like what you hear, just search Deadly Mirage to listen to the first two episodes now, completely free. Or subscribe to Dateline Premium on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or DatelinePremium.com. Subscribers get early access to new episodes and can listen to all Dateline podcasts ad-free.

Transcribed - Published: 3 December 2024

Willie sits down with Billy Joel in his Sag Harbor home as he wraps up his decade-long residency at New York's Madison Square Garden. He talks about a half-century of writing and playing some of the most famous songs in the history of music. (Original broadcast date August 18, 2024.)

Transcribed - Published: 1 December 2024

Willie sat down with 7-time Grammy winner, Kacey Musgraves, ahead of the release of her latest album, "Deeper Well". They got together at Electric Lady Studios to talk about the inspiration behind the album, her process writing those beautiful songs, and finding success while bucking convention in Nashville. (Original broadcast date March 10, 2024.)

Transcribed - Published: 24 November 2024

Hugh Grant talks to Willie Geist about his new film, “Heretic” and about reprising the role of Daniel Cleaver in the upcoming fourth “Bridget Jones” film. They also discuss Grant's relationship with fame and how he’s creating better boundaries and protections in the industry.

Transcribed - Published: 17 November 2024

Willie Geist talks to Cynthia Erivo about the release of the highly anticipated Hollywood adaptation of the Broadway classic, "Wicked". Erivo shares her experience playing "Elphaba" opposite Ariana Grande's "Glinda", and she gets her first look at the "Wicked" Billboards in Times Square.

Transcribed - Published: 10 November 2024

Willie Geist sat down with Larry David to reflect on his surprising life in comedy, and the bittersweet end of his iconic series, "Curb Your Enthusiasm". He even decided to cast Willie himself in an episode of the final season, and Willie shares his inside look. (Original broadcast date April 7, 2024.)

Transcribed - Published: 3 November 2024

Willie sits down with one of the biggest young stars in music, Kelsea Ballerini. They talk about her new album, "Patterns", and her upcoming gig as a coach on "The Voice." Ballerini also reflects on her choice to move to Nashville as a teenager to pursue country music.

Transcribed - Published: 27 October 2024

Jason Segel sits down with Willie to talk about his Emmy nomination for starring in the acclaimed series, "Shrinking", alongside Harrison Ford. Segel details his run of comedies over the last decade and a half, and how a setup by his high school teacher got him discovered.

Transcribed - Published: 20 October 2024

As a bonus for Sunday Sitdown fans, we’re sharing the trailer for The Man in the Black Mask, an all-new original podcast series from Dateline and Keith Morrison.     It’s the story of a rising young director shooting a frightening film about a serial killer in a hockey mask. But when a man goes missing near the set, a real-life horror story unfolds…     If you like what you hear, just search The Man in the Black Mask to listen to the first two episodes now, completely free. Or, subscribe to Dateline Premium on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or DatelinePremium.com. Subscribers get early access to new episodes and can listen to all Dateline podcasts ad-free.

Transcribed - Published: 15 October 2024

Willie Geist sits down with the host of "The Late Show", Stephen Colbert, to chat about Stephen's rise to fame and the pivotal moment he knew he would be able to make a career out of comedy. Stephen talks about growing up in a large family and how he's navigated tragedy. His wife, Evie McGee-Colbert, also joins to share some of their favorite recipes from their new cookbook, ‘Does This Taste Funny.’

Transcribed - Published: 13 October 2024

Willie Geist sits down with former rapper turned country artist, Jelly Roll, ahead of his latest album, "Beautifully Broken". He tells the story of his troubled upbringing and how he turned it all around, now selling out the biggest arenas in the country.

Transcribed - Published: 6 October 2024

Hey Sunday Sitdown fans! As a bonus, we’re giving you a special preview of Jenna Bush Hager’s new podcast, ‘Open Book with Jenna’.     In the podcast’s debut episode, Jenna sits down with “Late Show” host Stephen Colbert and his wife of over 30 years, Evie McGee Colbert.     Stephen and Evie recently partnered on a new cookbook, “Does this Taste Funny” and sat down with Jenna to share their favorite family recipes, funniest memories cooking together, and why humor is the key ingredient in their marriage. They also reveal who holds the title of ‘best chef’ and who they’d love to invite to one of their famous dinner parties.     To listen to the full conversation, just search ‘Open Book with Jenna’ wherever you’re listening to follow now, or click here: https://link.chtbl.com/obwj_lw

Transcribed - Published: 3 October 2024

Academy Award-winning actor Kate Winslet joined Willie Geist to talk about her new role as a dictator losing her grip in "The Regime". She also spoke of how deeply her role in "Mare of Easttown" affected her emotionally, as well as navigating the disorienting whirlwind of life after starring in "Titanic". (Original broadcast date March 17, 2024.)

Transcribed - Published: 29 September 2024

Willie sat down with 16-time Grammy winner, Alicia Keys, ahead of the opening of her Broadway musical, "Hell's Kitchen". They talk about inspirations from her own life that helped her create the acclaimed coming-of-age musical more than a decade in the making.

Transcribed - Published: 22 September 2024

Willie gets together with Ryan Reynolds as his latest "Deadpool" movie becomes the highest grossing R-rated movie in history. Ryan also opens up about his late father’s experience with Parkinson's disease and the toll it took on his family.

Transcribed - Published: 15 September 2024

A new era of American comedy began in 1975 with the premiere of Saturday Night Live and a young producer named Lorne Michaels calling the shots. Willie Geist gets together with the SNL creator and executive producer in famed Studio 8H to talk about the show’s legacy, and how they put on a live production in the middle of both a pandemic and a presidential election. (Original broadcast date October 18, 2020)

Transcribed - Published: 13 September 2024

Willie Geist gets together with John Oliver to chat a little 'football at the pub' ahead of a new season of "Last Week Tonight", fresh off the show's latest annual sweep of the Emmy Awards. (Original broadcast date February 18, 2024)

Transcribed - Published: 13 September 2024