The Sam Sanders Show

Bruce Vilanch: What Makes an Oscars Host Funny?

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

Can The Oscars Be Fixed?

Awards season in Hollywood is in its final stretch. The suspense is rising. The Oscars are imminent. The ceremony is always full of glitz and glamour, but for years it’s been plagued by disappointments. Long and boring broadcasts. Unjustified snubs. Clunky skits and speeches. Despite it all, Sam loves to watch, but he has some ideas to fix Hollywood’s biggest night. Joining the show are two entertainment journalism heavyweights: Jacqueline Coley is awards editor at Rotten Tomatoes and host of Seen on the Screen with Jacqueline Coley. Clayton Davis is chief awards editor at Variety where he also hosts the Awards Circuit Podcast. Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week. And remember to take our survey! We want to know more about you and what you love about the show.   The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.  

Who is Clavicular?

Looksmaxxing. Mogging. Clavicular.  There’s an alarming new figure (and vocabulary) taking over influencer culture. What does it all mean for the current internet? Here to explain is author and artist John Paul Brammer, who recently wrote about this for Playboy Magazine. Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week. And remember to take our survey! We want to know more about you and what you love about the show.   The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.  

Kate Hudson: Who Gets to Be Taken Seriously?

Kate Hudson has always loved acting, but she feels the most like herself when she’s singing.  It’s how she landed her role in the musical drama ‘Song Sung Blue.’ She stars alongside Hugh Jackman as performers in a Neil Diamond tribute band. She’s now nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance. Kate tells Sam about how Quincy Jones encouraged her to sing as a kid and how she finally found the courage to share her voice.  Kate also gets real about growing up in a famous family and the difficulties of working in Hollywood. Plus, she explains why she will always be grateful for the romantic comedies of her past. “I walk down the street and I connect with girls from 13 years old right now to 70 years old. And I did that because I made movies that might not have necessarily got me nominated, but it's made people feel happy.” Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week. And remember to take our survey! We want to know more about you and what you love about the show.   The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.

Would K-Pop Exist Without Black Culture?

From the Billboard charts to the Oscars, K-Pop is bigger than ever in Hollywood. Along with its global domination, there’s a dark side to the genre. Blatant appropriation of Black American culture. K-Pop stars caught using racial slurs. Fandoms torn apart over anti-Black racism. So, how should we all be thinking about K-Pop in 2026? Sam poses that question to Dr. Sarah Olutola, novelist and professor at Lakehead University. Her research centers on pop culture, Black culture and K-Pop. They examine the history, geopolitics and future of a global system largely built off Black American art. Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week. And remember to take our survey! We want to know more about you and what you love about the show.   The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders