The Sam Sanders Show

Does ‘The Odyssey’ Have A Woman Problem?

The summer’s most anticipated blockbuster is finally here...  ‘The Odyssey,’ directed by Christopher Nolan, is a retelling of the ancient  Greek epic of the same name. The movie has received rave reviews, but for Sam the movie fell short.  He caught up with film critic Angelica Jade Bastién to break down the movie's highs and lows, from lackluster performances to bad lighting to  Angelica’s biggest critique — Christopher Nolan doesn’t know how to write women.  Plus, Angelica shares a shortlist of her favorite films of the last few years. You can catch all her film reviews in ‘Vulture’ and in her substack ‘Madwomen & Muses.’ Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week. The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.  

The Enduring Humanity of Wikipedia

Wikipedia might be the last good corner of the internet.  Just take a look at the Instagram account Depths of Wikipedia. It’s run by superfan Annie Rauwerda. In the height of the pandemic, Annie started the page as a way to share screengrabs of the most obscure, weird, and hilarious entries to ever exist on the website. Since then the account has racked up thousands of followers.   Annie chats with Sam about the Wikipedia page that started her obsession, how a small but dedicated group of people continue to power the website, and what Wikipedia has taught her about the internet and humankind.   Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week. The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.

What Happened To Authenticity? w/ Ryan O’Connell

Writer, producer and actor Ryan O'Connell wants Hollywood to be more honest. He first broke onto the scene after creating the Netflix comedy series 'Special' in 2019. The show was inspired by his own experiences as a gay millennial living with cerebral palsy. He tells Sam about his journey as a young writer in the 2010s, what it means to be authentic in this era of virality, and the reality of working in entertainment. Ryan’s new book of essays is called 'Inspiration Porn.' It’s filled with his musings on disability, sexuality, family, and fame.  Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week. The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.  

Madonna’s Pop Matriarchy

Confession: After several hours of sitting with Madonna’s new album on repeat, Sam isn’t sure he likes it… To him, 'Confessions II' felt like a Madonna impersonation, stripped of a lot of the Madonna energy he’s loved for years. The album also raised some big questions: what even is Madonna anymore? What kind of music should we expect from a pop star who always seemed eternally young and new? Sam breaks down these big feelings with musicology professor Louis Niebur, an expert on queer dance and music culture. He teaches at the University of Nevada, Reno. His book is called 'Menergy: San Francisco's Gay Disco Sound.' Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week. The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.  

The Ultimate ‘90s Nostalgia Party (Live Show!)

The ‘90s are surely having a moment: the clothes, the music, the pop culture! It’s everywhere, but what’s the BEST the ‘90s had to offer?  In this special live taping, Sam is joined by his friends Traci Thomas, Eliot Glazer and Franklin Leonard to debate the best of the decade in a live ‘90s Nostalgia Bracket showdown.  Recorded at Dynasty Typewriter in Los Angeles, Sam and the gang muse over the most iconic moments of ‘90s pop culture. Plus, composer Derek Muro plays some of the decade’s biggest hits on the piano. Sam even gives his own rendition of a major throwback banger. Listen to the end to hear which moment is crowned the ultimate piece of 90’s nostalgia!  Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week. The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.