Little Gold Men by Vanity Fair
- Episodes
- 774
- Released
- weekly
- Latest episode
- Nov 12, 2026
About the podcast
Vanity Fair’s Little Gold Men takes you inside the world of film and television, from standing ovations at Sundance to the Best Picture award at the Oscars. With special guest appearances from stars, creators, and critics, our expert hosts dive into the power and glamour of Hollywood, as only Vanity Fair can. For more on Little Gold Men, visit vanityfair.com/podcast/little-gold-men
Episodes 774
How to Win an Oscar
Winning an Oscar takes a whole lot more than putting on a great performance – it also takes a great campaign. This week, VF Features Editor Hillary Busis joins Rebecca and John to trace the evolution of the …
Show notes
Winning an Oscar takes a whole lot more than putting on a great performance – it also takes a great campaign. This week, VF Features Editor Hillary Busis joins Rebecca and John to trace the evolution of the modern Oscar campaign, from the cutthroat tactics of the ‘90s to the multimillion-dollar operations of today. The group also revisits their favorite moments from Oscar campaign history before offering some unsolicited advice to this year’s contenders.
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Christopher Nolan vs. Everybody Else
With Christopher Nolan looking like a lock for a Best Director Oscar nomination, who will claim the other four spots? This week, Vanity Fair Features Editor Hillary Busis joins Rebecca and John to size up the …
Show notes
With Christopher Nolan looking like a lock for a Best Director Oscar nomination, who will claim the other four spots? This week, Vanity Fair Features Editor Hillary Busis joins Rebecca and John to size up the contenders, from Denis Villeneuve and Martin McDonagh to Los Javis and Olivia Wilde. The group also shares their picks for the November movies you won't want to miss.
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Is the Future of Film Independent?
As Hollywood’s legacy studios struggle to adapt to a changing industry, independent film distributors are gaining ground. This week, Vanity Fair staff writer Savannah Walsh joins Rebecca and John to look at how …
Show notes
As Hollywood’s legacy studios struggle to adapt to a changing industry, independent film distributors are gaining ground. This week, Vanity Fair staff writer Savannah Walsh joins Rebecca and John to look at how A24, NEON, and Mubi became major players in the movie business. They also discuss the next wave of indie companies, including Black Bear and Sumerian Pictures, and debate what their growth means for the future of moviegoing.
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You Asked, We Answered: An Oscar Mailbag
The Little Gold Men inbox is overflowing! This week, Vanity Fair Staff Writer Chris Murphy joins Rebecca and John to answer your questions about The Odyssey's Oscar prospects, the ins and outs of awards …
Show notes
The Little Gold Men inbox is overflowing! This week, Vanity Fair Staff Writer Chris Murphy joins Rebecca and John to answer your questions about The Odyssey's Oscar prospects, the ins and outs of awards campaigning, and Tom Holland's future beyond Spider-Man. Plus, the group shares their predictions for next year’s Sundance lineup.
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Are Documentaries the Hottest Movies of the Fall?
The films generating the most buzz right now aren’t big-budget blockbusters – they’re documentaries. To understand why, Rebecca, John, and VF Features Editor Hillary Busis discuss three provocative new docs …
Show notes
The films generating the most buzz right now aren’t big-budget blockbusters – they’re documentaries. To understand why, Rebecca, John, and VF Features Editor Hillary Busis discuss three provocative new docs: NAZA, an investigation into Israel's war in Gaza; Alex Gibney's four-hour Elon Musk exposé; and Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim's mind-bending Elizabeth Holmes documentary, You Can See Everything. They also reflect on how the nonfiction film business has changed and whether the Academy will embrace this year's most talked-about docs.
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The Emmys Leave Broadcast, Skydance Enters the Chat, and “Digger” Goes Bust
It’s been a whirlwind week in Hollywood, from the Emmys’ move to streaming and major premieres at the New York Film Festival to the newly official Warner Bros.–Paramount merger. Rebecca and John break down what …
Show notes
It’s been a whirlwind week in Hollywood, from the Emmys’ move to streaming and major premieres at the New York Film Festival to the newly official Warner Bros.–Paramount merger. Rebecca and John break down what it all means before turning to Digger, Tom Cruise’s first non-action movie in 15 years. VF Features Editor Hillary Busis joins them to unpack Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s critically savaged, box-office-challenged new film and debate whether Cruise’s performance is still strong enough to keep him in the Oscar race.
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Can "The Social Reckoning" Live Up to "The Social Network"?
Sixteen years after The Social Network introduced moviegoers to the dark side of Facebook’s founding, Aaron Sorkin is taking on the company again—this time as both writer and director—with The Social Reckoning …
Show notes
Sixteen years after The Social Network introduced moviegoers to the dark side of Facebook’s founding, Aaron Sorkin is taking on the company again—this time as both writer and director—with The Social Reckoning. The film follows whistleblower Frances Haugen (played by Mikey Madison) as she exposes what Facebook knew about its own role in the spread of misinformation and political polarization. Rebecca and John discuss Jeremy Strong’s uncanny transformation into Mark Zuckerberg, debate whether the new film can escape the very long shadow of its predecessor, and ask what makes The Social Network hold up so well. Plus, they share their picks for the October movies you won’t want to miss.
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TIFF Takeaways + Our Best Picture Predictions
The fall film festivals are officially behind us, which means it’s time to start making some Oscar predictions we may or may not regret. Vanity Fair Features Editor Hillary Busis joins Rebecca and John to recap …
Show notes
The fall film festivals are officially behind us, which means it’s time to start making some Oscar predictions we may or may not regret. Vanity Fair Features Editor Hillary Busis joins Rebecca and John to recap the biggest takeaways from TIFF, including La Bola Negra’s big win and whether I Play Rocky can actually go the distance. Then, the group compares their Best Picture prediction lists, revealing plenty of overlap and a few surprising disagreements.
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The Best, Worst, and Weirdest Moments of the 2026 Emmys
The 2026 Emmys happened Monday night, so Little Gold Men is coming to you early this week to break down the biggest wins, losses, and surprises of the evening. Rebecca, Hillary, and Vanity Fair executive editor …
Show notes
The 2026 Emmys happened Monday night, so Little Gold Men is coming to you early this week to break down the biggest wins, losses, and surprises of the evening. Rebecca, Hillary, and Vanity Fair executive editor Maggie Coughlan dig into Widow’s Bay’s massive sweep, celebrate Rhea Seehorn’s long-awaited Emmy win, and consider what this year’s results tell us about the Television Academy’s evolving tastes. They also weigh in on the best (and most baffling) looks of the night.
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The Movies Everyone’s Talking About After Venice and Telluride
Rebecca and John are back from the Colorado mountains and Chris Murphy is fresh off the Lido, so it’s time to take stock of the first two major stops in fall festival season. The group discusses the films that …
Show notes
Rebecca and John are back from the Colorado mountains and Chris Murphy is fresh off the Lido, so it’s time to take stock of the first two major stops in fall festival season. The group discusses the films that soared, the docs that shocked, and the performances that could be headed all the way to the Oscars. Plus, Rebecca reveals just how far she went to uncover Telluride’s top-secret screening.
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Predicting The Most Unpredictable Races at This Year’s Emmys
The Emmys are almost here, which means it’s time to put our predictions – and our reputations – on the line. Vanity Fair features editor Hillary Busis joins Rebecca and John to break down the toughest races of …
Show notes
The Emmys are almost here, which means it’s time to put our predictions – and our reputations – on the line. Vanity Fair features editor Hillary Busis joins Rebecca and John to break down the toughest races of the night, from the crowded comedy categories to a showdown in Lead Actress in a Drama. Then, the group makes the case for the long-shot contenders they’d most like to see take home a trophy.
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From Uncanny Valley: The Creators of 'Hacks' Really, Really, Really Hate AI
A bonus episode from our friends at WIRED's Uncanny Valley. The hit HBO Max comedy series Hacks follows the tumultuous relationship between a young comedy writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) and legacy …
Show notes
A bonus episode from our friends at WIRED's Uncanny Valley.
The hit HBO Max comedy series Hacks follows the tumultuous relationship between a young comedy writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) and legacy comedian Deborah Vance (Jean Smart). The show has also had a lot to say about the business of show business. Creators Paul W. Downs and Lucia Aniello join Katie to talk about writing the series, corporate censorship, and why they find AI “deeply disturbing.”
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What Happens When Authors Hate the Adaptation? Plus, Emmy Nominee Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Says Goodbye to “Wonder Man”
This week, Rebecca and John discuss the behind-the-scenes drama surrounding the film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone and the long, complicated history of authors clashing with Hollywood …
Show notes
This week, Rebecca and John discuss the behind-the-scenes drama surrounding the film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone and the long, complicated history of authors clashing with Hollywood over adaptations of their books. Then, Rebecca catches up with Wonder Man star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II about the surprise cancellation of the series after its first season. They also discuss Abdul-Mateen’s theater background and evolving relationship to watching his own work.
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Mailbag! Plus, Katie Dippold on the Making of “Widow’s Bay”
The mailbag is open! This week, Rebecca and John answer your questions about this year’s Best Actress race, how to make the most of Telluride, and so much more. Then, John talks to Widow’s Bay creator and …
Show notes
The mailbag is open! This week, Rebecca and John answer your questions about this year’s Best Actress race, how to make the most of Telluride, and so much more. Then, John talks to Widow’s Bay creator and showrunner Katie Dippold about the inspiration behind the Emmy-nominated horror-comedy series. Stick around till the end for a special round of FMK: Horror Movie edition.
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Jason Bateman on His Most Un-Bateman Roles Yet
Jason Bateman has spent much of his career playing the calmest person in the room. But this year, his Emmy-nominated performances in Black Rabbit and DTF St. Louis flip that persona on its head. Rebecca talks …
Show notes
Jason Bateman has spent much of his career playing the calmest person in the room. But this year, his Emmy-nominated performances in Black Rabbit and DTF St. Louis flip that persona on its head. Rebecca talks with Bateman about embracing more emotionally exposed roles, how he decides which creative hats to wear on a project, and and why hosting SmartLess is the “easiest yet most lucrative” job of his career.
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We Nominate for Oblivion: The TV Trends We’re Ready to Leave Behind
This week, Rebecca, John, and Vanity Fair features editor Hillary Busis each make the case for one television trend they’d happily banish forever, from the airport novel adaptation to the fictionalized …
Show notes
This week, Rebecca, John, and Vanity Fair features editor Hillary Busis each make the case for one television trend they’d happily banish forever, from the airport novel adaptation to the fictionalized true-crime miniseries. Then, after adequate complaining, they discuss the kinds of shows they’d like to see more of, including lower-stakes storytelling and the return of great episodic television.
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The Fall Film Festival Lineups Are Out. Will the Awards Follow?
This week, Rebecca and John are joined by Vanity Fair features editor Hillary Busis to discuss the recently announced Toronto and Venice Film Festival lineups. They spotlight the movies generating the most buzz …
Show notes
This week, Rebecca and John are joined by Vanity Fair features editor Hillary Busis to discuss the recently announced Toronto and Venice Film Festival lineups. They spotlight the movies generating the most buzz and speculate about which might still be headed to Telluride. Plus, a spirited debate over which festival matters most and whether festivals still have the power to launch an Oscar campaign.
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How Apple TV (Ted) Lassoed a Record Number of Emmy Nominations
Apple TV netted a personal best 89 nominations and is the third-most-nominated network at this year's Emmy Awards (behind awards behemoths Netflix and HBO). But when the service first launched in 2019, with …
Show notes
Apple TV netted a personal best 89 nominations and is the third-most-nominated network at this year's Emmy Awards (behind awards behemoths Netflix and HBO). But when the service first launched in 2019, with eight original series and zero back catalog, few would've predicted its current success. VF Special Correspondent Joy Press joins Rebecca and John to dig into the streamer's early fumbles and current hits, and make sense of why a huge tech company is willing to lose so much money making prestige television. Plus, they dig into the Emmys' controversial decision to bump 5 categories from the primetime telecast and the twin Odysseys of Christopher Nolan's blockbuster box office and the WBD/Paramount merger.
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Can "The Odyssey" Survive the Long Journey to Best Picture?
This week, Rebecca and John are joined by Vanity Fair Features Editor (and resident classicist) Hillary Busis to dive in to Christopher Nolan's excellent new film, The Odyssey. First, on the off-chance you …
Show notes
This week, Rebecca and John are joined by Vanity Fair Features Editor (and resident classicist) Hillary Busis to dive in to Christopher Nolan's excellent new film, The Odyssey. First, on the off-chance you don't remember everything about Homer's original from your high school English class, Hillary gives a refresher on the plot points and themes of the epic poem. Then, the group digs in to the new adaptation, the controversies surrounding it, and what the film's quality and reception will mean for its box office and awards future.
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Emmy Nominations: Snubs, Surprises, and Embracing the Weird
This morning, the Television Academy announced its nominations for this year's Emmy Awards, so Rebecca and John sat down with VF Staff Writer Chris Murphy and Special Correspondent Joy Press to dig into the …
Show notes
This morning, the Television Academy announced its nominations for this year's Emmy Awards, so Rebecca and John sat down with VF Staff Writer Chris Murphy and Special Correspondent Joy Press to dig into the snubs and surprises of the day. Plus, they chat about the film news that's been percolating over the holiday break, from Luca Guadagnino's Artificial drama to the Obsession box office that keeps on climbing.
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Our 2026 Emmy Nomination Predictions
This year’s Emmy nominations won’t be announced until July 8, but that isn’t stopping Little Gold Men from making some bold predictions. Rebecca and John are joined by Hillary Busis and Savannah Walsh for a …
Show notes
This year’s Emmy nominations won’t be announced until July 8, but that isn’t stopping Little Gold Men from making some bold predictions. Rebecca and John are joined by Hillary Busis and Savannah Walsh for a category-by-category breakdown of the upcoming races. They discuss whether The Pitt will sweep in drama (again), if Widow’s Bay is this year’s sleeper hit, and whether The Bear’s reign may finally be ending. Plus, the under-the-radar contenders Emmy voters shouldn’t ignore.
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An Honest Look At “Disclosure Day” and Spielberg’s Influence on Hollywood
"Disclosure Day," Steven Spielberg's latest extraterrestrial-inflected adventure, is drawing his biggest box office in years — all the more impressive given its originality. Critical reception has been largely …
Show notes
"Disclosure Day," Steven Spielberg's latest extraterrestrial-inflected adventure, is drawing his biggest box office in years — all the more impressive given its originality. Critical reception has been largely positive, but is this film a return to form? Rebecca, John, and VF Staff Writer Chris Murphy debate the merits of the film, share their favorite Spielberg titles, and ask whether there's any filmmaker who might take up the mantle of "the next Steven Spielberg."
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Charles Melton is Redefining the Himbo
Charles Melton plays a lovable (but none too bright) hottie in season two of the Netflix anthology series Beef. But beneath his character’s good natured surface is a man struggling to make sense of his identity …
Show notes
Charles Melton plays a lovable (but none too bright) hottie in season two of the Netflix anthology series Beef. But beneath his character’s good natured surface is a man struggling to make sense of his identity and place in society. Rebecca sat down with Melton to discuss his character’s transformation, what it was like collaborating with series creator Lee Sung Jin, and how he interprets the show’s controversial season two ending. Melton also opens up about his evolving relationship to his Korean heritage and how becoming a father has changed his perspective on work and time.
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Summer Movie Preview, Plus: The Gilded Age’s Power Couple
Summer movie season is officially here, so Rebecca, John, and Hillary are breaking down the biggest studio blockbusters and under-the-radar gems on the horizon. From Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and Steven …
Show notes
Summer movie season is officially here, so Rebecca, John, and Hillary are breaking down the biggest studio blockbusters and under-the-radar gems on the horizon. From Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day to a slew of raunchy indie comedies, this season is shaping up to be a crucial test for Hollywood’s recovery. Then, Vanity Fair staff writer Chris Murphy talks with The Gilded Age stars Carrie Coon and Morgan Spector about the show’s passionate fan base, the real-life relationship experiences they bring to their characters’ marriage, and what comes next for one of television’s most iconic couples.
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Sydney Sweeney on Cassie, Clickbait, and Creative Control
Everyone and their mother has an opinion about Sydney Sweeney, but according to the actress herself, most people have no clue who she actually is. Rebecca caught up with Sweeney shortly after the Euphoria …
Show notes
Everyone and their mother has an opinion about Sydney Sweeney, but according to the actress herself, most people have no clue who she actually is. Rebecca caught up with Sweeney shortly after the Euphoria finale aired to talk about saying goodbye to Cassie Howard, filming the series’ long-awaited final season, and the deleted pole-dancing scenes she hopes fans eventually get to see. Plus: anime, internet rumors, and finding freedom as an actor.
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The Breakout Stars of 'Love Story' on Playing Real People and Navigating Their Newfound Fame
FX's Love Story: John F. Kennedy, Jr. & Carolyn Bessette swept up audiences after it burst onto our TV's earlier this year. It also launched the careers of its two stars, Paul Anthony Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon …
Show notes
FX's Love Story: John F. Kennedy, Jr. & Carolyn Bessette swept up audiences after it burst onto our TV's earlier this year. It also launched the careers of its two stars, Paul Anthony Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon, after their mesmerizing performances as the couple who became a national obsession. But it was a long road to get there, as they physically transformed into the iconic characters and dealt with audience blowback before the show had even come out. At a special live event presented by FX, Rebecca and John sat down with Paul Anthony Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon to discuss how they built their characters, developed their undeniable chemistry, and managed the onslaught of public attention
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Tony Awards Predictions, Plus: YouTubers in Theaters & 2 Major HBO Shows Say Goodbye
John and Rebecca discuss the scary-good box office for two recent horror debuts and the ups and downs of the Hacks and Euphoria series finales. Then, they pass the mic over to a NYC-based panel of theater …
Show notes
John and Rebecca discuss the scary-good box office for two recent horror debuts and the ups and downs of the Hacks and Euphoria series finales. Then, they pass the mic over to a NYC-based panel of theater lovers to talk about the awards show that puts the T in EGOT, this weekend's Tony Awards. Senior Editor Hillary Busis, Staff Writer Chris Murphy, Entertainment Director Caitlin Brody, and LGM Senior Producer Michele O'Brien make a case for why the Tonys are the most fun awards show to watch (even if you know nothing about the nominees), and make their predictions for Sunday night's ceremony.
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Noah Wyle Is Ready for Another Shift
Noah Wyle didn’t expect The Pitt to become one of television’s biggest dramas, or for viewers to once again see him as their doctor. But after an Emmys-sweeping first season and decades spent playing physicians …
Show notes
Noah Wyle didn’t expect The Pitt to become one of television’s biggest dramas, or for viewers to once again see him as their doctor. But after an Emmys-sweeping first season and decades spent playing physicians on screen, Wyle has learned to embrace both realities. Rebecca caught up with the actor, writer, producer, and director to talk about why he resisted going “bigger and bloodier” after season one, what it’s like making one of TV’s most medically accurate dramas, and why some fans are so mad about Dr. Robby’s emotional unraveling. Plus, who is America’s doctor’s favorite fictional doctor?
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The End of Late Night as We Know It
Stephen Colbert has officially signed off, CBS is exiting the late night game, and the future of the format feels more uncertain than ever. This week, Rebecca and John are joined by VF special correspondent Joy …
Show notes
Stephen Colbert has officially signed off, CBS is exiting the late night game, and the future of the format feels more uncertain than ever. This week, Rebecca and John are joined by VF special correspondent Joy Press to discuss the final episode of The Late Show, the politics and economics behind CBS’s decision, and the social media stars redefining the genre. They also share their top picks for what to watch this month.
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The Good, the Hellish, and the Just-OK from Cannes
In their final Cannes dispatch, Rebecca and John dish about some of the buzziest films of the week and attempt to predict the hard-to-pin-down Palme d'Or. They also discuss the reasons why the festival has …
Show notes
In their final Cannes dispatch, Rebecca and John dish about some of the buzziest films of the week and attempt to predict the hard-to-pin-down Palme d'Or. They also discuss the reasons why the festival has seemed quieter this year, and debate which films we'll be talking about come Oscar season.
Follow along on Vanity Fair's Cannes liveblog, and send your festival questions to [email protected].Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
These are the latest 40 of 774 episodes. You’ll find older episodes in the podcast’s feed.
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