The Awardist

Awards expert Joey Nolfi joins us this week to break down the Best Actress race as it stands right now: Kristen Stewart still has much momentum coming out of the fall festivals with her turn as an unhappy Princess Diana in ‘Spencer’, but several other contenders are coming on strong. Then, listen to Joey’s exclusive interview with Lady Gaga: a fun conversation about acting, research and her immersion into the real-life Patrizia Reggiani, the fashion-world murderess. For complete awards coverage, go to EW.com/awardist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EW’s Clarissa Cruz and Joshua Rothkopf go behind the mask of actorly transformation: Sometimes it's makeup and hair, other times it's vocal training and pure chops, and increasingly, it's facial prosthetics. From Nicole Kidman in 'The Hours' to Jared Leto doing his thing in 'House of Gucci'. Then, stick around for our interview with Jessica Chastain, changed from the inside out into Tammy Faye Bakker in 'The Eyes of Tammy Faye.' For complete awards coverage, go to EW.com/awardist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clarissa Cruz and Joshua Rothkopf dive into their analysis of the Best Actor Oscar race: a competitive field with room for former winners (Denzel Washington, Joaquin Phoenix), one overdue icon (Will Smith) and plenty of potential spoilers (you'll have to listen!). Then we feature our interview with Benedict Cumberbatch, on the cusp of locking in a nomination for his ferocious, committed performance in Jane Campion's 'The Power of the Dog'. For complete awards coverage, go to EW.com/awardist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our season 8 premiere, EW’s Clarissa Cruz and Joshua Rothkopf chat about the frontrunners right now, as well as some personal favorites they'd like to see become contenders for Best Picture. Unlike last year's indie-dominated Oscar race, this year has a more traditional mix of studio fare and edgy triumphs. Then we feature interviews with three hotly buzzed directors: Kenneth Branagh ('Belfast'), Questlove ('Summer of Soul') and Mike Mills ('C'mon C'mon'). For complete awards coverage, go to EW.com/awardist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Starting November 15th, The Awardist is BACK to cover the road to the 2022 Oscars! Hear interviews with this year’s best and brightest, including Benedict Cumberbatch, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Kenneth Branagh, Ruth Negga, and many, many more! Plus, in-depth conversations about which performances blew us away, our winner predictions, and which films were overlooked. Hosted by Entertainment Weekly’s Clarissa Cruz and Joshua Rothkopf, new episodes drop every Monday. Subscribe so you don’t miss anything!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emmy-nominated Lovecraft Country stars Jonathan Majors, Jurnee Smollett, Michael K. Williams, Courtney B. Vance, and Aunjanue Ellis celebrate the show’s many nominations, mourn its cancellation after one season, explain their personal connections to their characters, and share moving reaction from viewers of their supernatural horror-drama. Plus, co-hosts Kristen Baldwin and Gerrad Hall welcome EW executive editor Patrick Gomez, to discuss his conversation with those actors, and we break down the categories for guest actor and actress in a drama, and reality competition, where there seems to be a tight race between RuPaul’s Drag Race and The Amazing Race. More at ew.com, ew.com/awardist, and @EW. Host/Producers: Gerrad Hall (@gerradhall) and Kristen Baldwin (@KristenGBaldwin); Producer/Editor: Lauren Klein (@ltklein); Executive Producers: Shana Naomi Krochmal (@shananaomi) and Carly Usdin (@carlytron). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SNL Emmy nominees Cecily Strong and Bowen Yang join The Awardist to talk about Bowen’s historic nomination — the first SNL featured cast member to be nominated. They take us inside some of their most memorable season 46 sketches and characters, including Jeanine Pirro and the Iceberg that sank the Titanic. Cecily also addresses her future on the show, the two tell us what it’s like behind the scenes moments before the show goes live, how their approach to comedy changed and responded to everything happening in the world, and so much more. Plus, co-hosts Kristen Baldwin and Gerrad Hall break down the comedy guest actor and actress categories, where SNL guest hosts fill many of the slots. Can anyone beat Maya Rudolph and Dave Chappelle? More at ew.com, ew.com/awardist, and @EW. Host/Producers: Gerrad Hall (@gerradhall) and Kristen Baldwin (@KristenGBaldwin); Producer/Editor: Lauren Klein (@ltklein); Executive Producers: Shana Naomi Krochmal (@shananaomi) and Carly Usdin (@carlytron). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

black-ish co-stars Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross join EW’s The Awardist from the set of their Emmy-nominated comedy to discuss their favorite episodes — and why Ross has the entire hair and make-up trailer to herself. Plus EW’s Gerrad Hall and Kristen Baldwin break down the Lead Actor and Lead Actress in a Comedy races, featuring the black-ish stars as well as Jason Sudeikis, Jean Smart, Kenan Thompson and more. More at ew.com, ew.com/awardist, and @EW. Host/Producers: Gerrad Hall (@gerradhall) and Kristen Baldwin (@KristenGBaldwin); Producer/Editor: Lauren Klein (@ltklein); Executive Producers: Shana Naomi Krochmal (@shananaomi) and Carly Usdin (@carlytron). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emmy winner and current nominee Kate Winslet joins The Awardist to talk about her hit HBO limited series Mare of Easttown — why audiences connected to much with her grieving mother character, getting the look just right (that’s a wig!), caring for Jean Smart after an on-set injury, SNL’s Murdur Durdur sketch, and much more. Plus, co-hosts Kristen Baldwin and Gerrad Hall handicap the Limited/Anthology Series or Movie and Lead Actress in a Limited/Anthology Series or Movie categories. More at ew.com, ew.com/awardist, and @EW. Host/Producers: Gerrad Hall (@gerradhall) and Kristen Baldwin (@KristenGBaldwin); Producer/Editor: Lauren Klein (@ltklein); Executive Producers: Shana Naomi Krochmal (@shananaomi) and Carly Usdin (@carlytron). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pose co-creator/writer/director Steven Canals and star Mj Rodriguez celebrate the show’s 9 Emmy nominations — including Rodriguez’s history-making Lead Actress nod — and explain the finale’s “Sex and the City moment.” Plus, EW’s Kristen Baldwin and Gerrad Hall handicap the Outstanding Drama Series race and the Crown-tastic Lead Actress in a Drama category. More at ew.com, ew.com/awardist, and @EW. Host/Producers: Gerrad Hall (@gerradhall) and Kristen Baldwin (@KristenGBaldwin); Producer/Editor: Lauren Klein (@ltklein); Executive Producers: Shana Naomi Krochmal (@shananaomi) and Carly Usdin (@carlytron). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Emmy-nominated ‘Ted Lasso’ star reveals how a plea to the universe in her garden resulted in a dream job that shoots 20 minutes from her house. Plus EW’s Gerrad Hall and Kristen Baldwin dive into the Comedy Series and Comedy Supporting Actress races — can anything stop ‘Ted Lasso’? More at ew.com, ew.com/awardist, and @EW. Host/Producers: Gerrad Hall (@gerradhall) and Kristen Baldwin (@KristenGBaldwin); Producer/Editor: Lauren Klein (@ltklein); Executive Producers: Shana Naomi Krochmal (@shananaomi) and Carly Usdin (@carlytron). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emmy nominations have been announced, and co-hosts Kristen Baldwin and Gerrad Hall discuss the snubs and surprises, break down some of the top contenders — including The Crown, The Mandalorian, WandaVision, and Ted Lasso — and take a look at some of this year’s double nominees, including Jean Smart and Kenan Thompson. Plus, we talk to The Crown stars Emma Corrin and Josh O’Connor — who played Princess Diana and Prince Charles on the fourth season of the Netflix drama — about their most “outlandish” rehearsal, the scenes that was almost ruined by pesky flies, and much more. More at ew.com, ew.com/awardist, and @EW. Host/Producers: Gerrad Hall (@gerradhall) and Kristen Baldwin (@KristenGBaldwin); Producer/Editor: Lauren Klein (@ltklein); Executive Producers: Shana Naomi Krochmal (@shananaomi) and Carly Usdin (@carlytron). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Co-hosts Kristen Baldwin and Gerrad Hall break down the packed supporting actor and actress in a drama categories, plus ‘It’s a Sin’ creator Russell T. Davies and stars Olly Alexander and Lydia West join us to talk about their powerful HBO Max limited series about the rise of HIV/AIDS in England and its impact on one group of friends.  More at ew.com, ew.com/awardist, and @EW. Host/Producers: Gerrad Hall (@gerradhall) and Kristen Baldwin (@KristenGBaldwin); Producer/Editor: Lauren Klein (@ltklein); Executive Producers: Shana Naomi Krochmal (@shananaomi) and Carly Usdin (@carlytron). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kaley Cuoco talks to The Awardist co-host Kristen Baldwin about coping with a lot of “up and down emotions” as star and exec producer of the HBO Max comedy-thriller The Flight Attendant. Plus, Kristen and co-host Gerrad Hall analyze the hotly-contested Drama categories, featuring everything from The Crown to The Mandalorian. More at ew.com, ew.com/awardist, and @EW. Host/Producers: Gerrad Hall (@gerradhall) and Kristen Baldwin (@KristenGBaldwin); Producer/Editor: Lauren Klein (@ltklein); Executive Producers: Shana Naomi Krochmal (@shananaomi) and Carly Usdin (@carlytron). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can you imagine launching a late-night talk show during a global pandemic? Amber Ruffin can! The host of Peacock’s The Amber Ruffin Show talks to The Awardist about breaking through in late night with music, hard truths presented with humor, and beautiful bow ties. Plus, Kristen Baldwin and Gerrad Hall wonder what it will take to mix up the Outstanding Variety Talk and Outstanding Variety Sketch races — no offense to Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and Saturday Night Live, of course. More at ew.com, ew.com/awardist, and @EW. Host/Producers: Gerrad Hall (@gerradhall) and Kristen Baldwin (@KristenGBaldwin); Producer/Editor: Lauren Klein (@ltklein); Executive Producers: Shana Naomi Krochmal (@shananaomi) and Carly Usdin (@carlytron). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices