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And now for something completely different, love The Great British Baking Show but deplore The Kardashians? Hate/watch The Bachelor but ride or die with Dr. Pol? Project Runway, Top Chef, Selling Beverly Hills and Indian Matchmaking are shows that gave Lisa an insane amount of joy. Today, Lisa pivots to talking to her esteemed colleagues in the REALITY / UNSCRIPTED casting world. Join Lisa and her guests Reality Star turned Reality Casting Director Rachel Reilly (Big Brother, Traitors), Casting Director Kristen Moss (MasterChef, Big Brother, Reality Television Awards) and Emmy award winning Casting Director Jeffrey Marx (HBO's We're Here, Love on the Spectrum, Real World, Project Runway).  We talk about how unscripted casting directors do their jobs, the differing genres within unscripted (competition, lifestyle) how they find people, how they champion people with evocative stories, and what positive change Reality shows bring to the world.  And OH yes, we talk all the tea about Vanderpump Rules  Ariana, Tom, Raquel of it all!  Twitter @kMossLA Insta @rachelereillyvillegas Twitter @rachelEReilly  Inst @jeffmarxthespot Twitter @jeffmarxthespot https://instagram.com/reality_tv_castingcalls https://www.instagram.com/kristen_moss_schiazza/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D https://www.instagram.com/realityawardstv/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D 

Lisa's love-hate relationship with Oscar reaches another year. This time we focus on the Best Actress race. So yes we cover Michelle, Michelle, Cate, Andrea and Ana, but we range far and wide as Lisa and Dean are joined by Oscars uber-nerd Paul Sullivan who brings his unique encyclopaedic brain to the party. And of course we close out with our own predictions and Lisa hands out the 'Zammie' for Best Actress Enjoy !

Today Lisa is in the kitchen banging around making blueberry pancakes in the background while Paul tells her what he thinks about Baz Luhrman’s “Elvis” movie and how Austin Butler’s performance compares with the real thing. Do we think he will win the Oscar? Listen and find out. The conversation takes some wacky turns along the way. We talk Monty Python, German sex workers, Barbra Streisand, Tom Hanks’ accents, Henry the Fifth, Lisa sings Lady Gaga, and so much more! Pass the syrup and enjoy!

Happy 2023 from Killer Casting! Today Lisa has a special drop for the podcast. It is a little gift or offering for you if you can use it, especially if you are an actor. January kicks off a New Year but it also kicks off something else for our industry called “pilot season”. This time of year can be extremely exciting but also extremely stressful. If you are an actor, you may be full of hopes and fears. Things may be about to kick into high gear and get super busy with auditions, self tapes, studio and network tests, chemistry reads…while at the same time you may be sinking into a sadness or sense of missing out if you are not as busy as you think you should be. That is why Lisa wanted to offer this special mediation that she hopes can help. Relaxation and visualization are cornerstones of many actor trainings. They are used in voice training, physical training and all kinds of acting methods to open your emotions and instrument. But today, Lisa wants to use this mediation to help you wherever you are in your journey, wherever you are on your path, wherever you are in your day or evening. Hey, even if you are not in the entertainment industry but want a new relaxation visualization exercise, stick around, we think you will feel really really good afterwards.  So sit in a comfy chair, lay on your couch or bed, you could even settle into the seat of your parked car or your airplane seat … and get ready to breath, let go and let Lisa carry you for awhile

In light of the recent episode we recorded on the extraordinary Universal film “She Said” Lisa and Dean are honored to be joined by none other than Rowena Chiu who’s story about being assaulted by Harvey Weinstein is depicted in the movie. We are also joined by the two fantastic actresses Ashley Chiu and Angela Yeoh who both played Rowena (one as her 24 year old self during the time she worked for Miramax, the other as her older self years after she had signed an iron clad NDA to not disclose his crime). All three of these fantastic women talk about what it was like to be part of this important film. Join us. Listen, subscribe and share.

When Lisa went to the special private screening that Universal held for the film “She Said”, there was not a dry eye in the house when the lights came up. The audience was moved by the story of how two determined female reporters for The New York Times (played flawlessly by Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan) finally got victims to go on the record about how they had been assaulted and harassed by then mega powerful Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. We were moved by the sensitive and nuanced acting, the stealthy script, restrained direction, and just the enormity of what the story meant, and who it meant the most to — its far reaching repercussions. Join Lisa and Dean as they not only break down the most important aspects of the film….but Lisa has to take to task a certain well known Hollywood journalist for their insensitive comments dismissing the film asking “who is this movie for?”. Well we are gonna tell you who it’s for, and why we hope it wins all the Oscars!  (We also love the rating which reads She Said, Rated R for language, implied sexual violence and patriarchal horrors). No seriously, it actually says that. Patriarchal horrors! 

Lisa and Dean sit down with phenomenal actors Marilee Talkington and James Immekus to talk about Access for Actors with Disabilities. Both have had incredible careers in television, film and theatre. But it has not been an easy road. Both Marilee and James are actors with low vision (also referred to as visually impaired) who each have remarkable stories to tell about their journey “to be seen”. What do Actors with disabilities go through in order to train, audition and work in an industry they love? What do casting directors, producers, directors and writers need to do to make sure these talented artists are included? We need them, and they need access. Join us for this honest and sometimes painful conversation. Subscribe and share.

American Murderer, the new film written and directed by Matthew Gentile, stars Tom Pelphery, Ryan Phillippe, Idina Menzel, Paul Schneider, Kevin Corrigan, Shantel VanSantern and Jacki Weaver.   Matthew talks with Lisa and Dean about the shocking true story that it is based on, why Matthew cast Tom in the lead role of a real murderer / con man who is still at large, and how he got Jacki Weaver to come to Utah to play the role of the mother. Don’t miss our interview and definitely don’t miss this movie. 

Beautiful, breathy, kittenish, dizzy, bombshell, blonde. So many words can describe Marilyn Monroe and never really capture who she was…or who we think she was. Was she a spoiled, vain, ambitious starlet who played men as easily as she did the ukulele in “Some Like It Hot”? Or a sad, traumatized victim, ever needy, ever wanting for approval, never finding the respect she craved, the child she yearned for nor the man she really loved. The movie “Blonde” starring Ana de Armas directed by Andrew Dominik adapted from the novel by Joyce Carol Oates, seems to be certain of the latter. Lisa and Dean sit down with master acting teacher Terry Knickerbocker — who coaches some of Hollywood’s most compelling actors like Sam Rockwell, Daniel Craig and Emmy Rossum — to ask what he thinks of the film, of the performance by de Armas and why the persona of Marilyn Monroe has become so iconic, and such a Mount Everest, much like the role of Hamlet, that so many actresses want to climb. Join us as we break it all down. #Blonde #AnaDeArmas #MarilynMonroe #Bombshell #Hollywood #Starlet #AndrewDominik

When news broke that actor James Franco had been cast as Fidel Castro in the indie film "Alina of Cuba", a lot of people had A LOT to say about it. Some people (like actor John Leguizamo) were appalled, and some (comedian Bill Maher) were appalled that people were appalled. So why is authentic representation in film and television so important to some and not to others. Lisa sits down with legendary casting director Carla Hool and multi-hyphenate powerhouse actor/producer/casting director Elaine Del Valle to discuss why this subject strikes so deeply in the Latin and Hispanic communities.   Lisa and Carla compare notes on the actors at the top of THEIR list for the role of Fidel Castro. Don't miss it!

“The Bear” is so authentic in its depiction of the dysfunctions of the restaurant industry, Lisa and Brian (both former servers) had PTSD watching it. But watch it they did!  We have a lot to say about the acting, story and soul of this wonderful FX/Hulu Original show.  #InTheWeeds #jeremyallenwhite #beyondshameless #thebear #huluoriginals #fx

We got a show ya can't refuse...all about THE OFFER series streaming on Paramount +, the behind the scenes take on the making of The Godfather movie. Some iconic characters come to life brilliantly in the show, despite some fast and loose re-telling of the facts. Our good friend Patrick Gallo is a delight as Mario Puzzo, Matthew Goode wears the Robert Evans role like a well-cut suit, and I can't even remember what Francis Ford Coppola really looks like because I can only imagine Dan Fogler. But first we pay tribute to a paisan who broke the mold...Ray Liotta. RIP

Lisa, Dean, Matt and Mj resume their coverage of the brilliant Apple TV+ production Severance. Soak it up peeps ! Meanwhile, here are some links to help you binge on yet more goodies, now that the series finale has aired. In a marketing masterstroke, Apple Books have released a faux expose book by a fictional woman named Margaret “Peg” Kincaid. The book purports too be a tell-all by Peg spilling the beans on what’s really happening at Lumon. Get it from Apple Books. https://books.apple.com/us/book/severance/id1613220757  Seven awesome behind the-scenes stories you never knew about the making of Series 1. The first story by some guy called Dan Erickson …. https://www.vulture.com/article/severance-behind-the-scenes-stories.html The story behind the EPIC opening titles designed by enfant terrible Oliver Latta (aka Extraweg) In Dean’s opinion already the best titles of 2022 and unlikely to be beaten. https://mashable.com/article/severance-opening-titles-oliver-latta The Den of Geek article Dean mentioned deep diving on the fascination sci-fi has with corridors https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/in-praise-of-the-sci-fi-corridor/ A constantly updating guide to all of the irl locations where Severance was filmed, not least the iconic Bell Works in Holmdel, New Jersey which serves as the Lumon head office. https://www.atlasofwonders.com/2022/03/where-was-severance-filmed.html  An spooky recent picture gallery of the deserted Bell Works Lab designed by Finnish legend Eero Saarinen https://www.archdaily.com/469456/photos-of-eero-saarinen-s-abandoned-bell-labs Roxanna Hadadi over at Vulture has her own suspicions about what exactly Lumen is up to and what we might fond out in Series 2 Her own suspicions about what exactly Lumen is up to and what we might fond https://www.vulture.com/article/severance-finale-lumon-industries-eagan-theory-clues.html And finally Roxanna’s colleague Jackson McHenry has this great piece on the insanely great (see what I did there) Production Design of the series https://www.vulture.com/article/severance-office-design-explained.html ***************** And as always, our episodes come to you courtesy of our friends at Plantiva. Learn more at http://www.plantiva.com/killercasting and use the promo code KC25 to get 25% off your next order ! *****************  

What show has been mesmerizing Lisa and leading her to an existential crisis? Why the Apple TV series "Severance" developed by Ben Stiller and starring a full on flex of a cast making major pivots in what you have ever seen them do before. Lisa and Dean wrestle the mic from each other to extol the crap out of the microscopic details of this show. Joining them is screen riter Matt Shafeek, who read the original screenplay of Severance and shares with us the major differences in what made it to screen. Also joining our motley cru is sound editing expert MJ Hughes who reveals all the layers we might have missed. No major spoilers revealed here, just lots of geeking out on this super special genre defying show.

Our episodes come to you courtesy of our friends at Plantiva. Learn more at http://www.plantiva.com/killercasting and use the promo code KC25 to get 25% off your next order ! ***************** This week Lisa is joined by eclectic actor Edward Hong, who has carved out quite a career in tv, film, stage, commercials and especially voice overs! Eddy’s voice can be heard in the English dubbing of the incredibly popular Netflix series “Squid Game” as well as in all kinds of anime, video games, scripted podcasts…you name it and he has probably voiced it.  Ed and Lisa careen through all kinds of topics including how he became famous as “The Cinnabon Guy”. (Yes really) Check out all things Eddy here https://linktr.ee/Cinnabonmonster 

Our episodes come to you courtesy of our friends at Plantiva. Learn more at http://www.plantiva.com/killercasting and use the promo code KC25 to get 25% off your next order ! ***************** Lisa Zambetti: Lisa is back gabbing with Edward Hong…talking about so called “cancel” culture and how complicated it is for us emotionally as fans when our heroes fall — but how vital it is for us to be the first to call their crimes out. Is it possible to compartmentalize behavior vs art…and if it is possible, should it be? Lisa also talks about a very famous actress who confessed another famous actor slapped her across the face to get her into character. Wtf!  Please don’t hit the actresses! Keep your freaking hands to yourself!!!  But we also talk about OUR FLAG MEANS DEATH which features our mutual friend Samba Schutte!!! We get all into it…

This episode comes to you today with thanks to our new friends at Plantiva. Learn more at http://www.plantiva.com/killercasting and use the promo code KC25 to get 25% off your next order ! ***************** The idiot savant team are back! Dean and Paul are flying solo (well that doesn’t actually make sense does it ?)  Let’s just say without Capt. Lisa as pilot-in-command. The boys cover off on their favourite Oscars moments, what worked .. what didn’t … Paul reviews his favourite part of any Oscars, that being the ‘In Memoriam’ section … which has been done well  … and done in appalling fashion, depending on who is driving that section in any given year, how did it fare this year ? Well, hit Play to find out that and a whole lot more ! Riz Ahmed's beautiful speech https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdO9Eyp4ZFY  Dianne Warren's frosty re action to Billie Eilish winning Best Song at the Oscars. https://youtu.be/UfpTx2eAglk  Steven Spielberg keeps his seat for Godfather https://youtu.be/h_Kb_MaBWT8?t=160    Maybe Francis will make Steven of aoffer he .. meh, you know.

Everyone is weighing on the confrontation at the 2022 Oscar ceremony between Will Smith and Chris Rock. While we wish we could focus on the winners (and we will), today seemed like a good time to get some perspective and context about the dramatic, confusing and shocking incident from other people who work in Hollywood. Joining Dean and Lisa to decompress and reflect on Will Smith, Chris Rock and Jada Pinkett Smith and what the slap seen around the world means.  Thank you to our guests, Hollywood super star teacher, former agent Wendy Alane Wright....and award winning writer producer David Fortune.  They have very different views on the events and they are great at explaining why.

This episode comes to you today with thanks to our new friends at Plantiva. Learn more at http://www.plantiva.com/killercasting and use the promo code KC25 to get 25% off your next order ! ***************** Well folks, here is our third installment of our Oscar 2022 coverage. We've wrung our hands, pulled our hair, paced up and down...but we think we finally have decided who to hand the "ZAMMY" to for excellence in Casting!  (tho, if you follow the pod, this won't be a shocker).

This episode comes to you today with thanks to our new friends at Plantiva. Learn more at http://www.plantiva.com/killercasting and use the promo code KC25 to get 25% off your next order ! ***************** Lisa, Dean and Paul continue their casting review of all the Best Picture nominees, counting down to the winner of the "Zammy" (Excellence in Casting) Since the Film Academy doesn't give out that award! Lisa thinks it is almost impossible to compare "apples to orangatans" but there is certain criteria to consider if one is going to quantify "Best Casting".  You'd have to think about difficulty of roles, achievement of authenticity, outside of the box creativity, re-invention of an actor, chemistry of the cast, discovery of new actors, and casting well known actors in a totally different way. Let's see how the competitors fare!