Episodes
The 2022 Oscars telecast will go down in history! For the Season 1 finale of Close Up, host Kelley Carter checks in with two Hollywood Reporter pals – ABC News Radio Entertainment correspondent, Jason Nathanson, and Entertainment Director at "The Grio” Cortney Wills to discuss Will Smith, the “slap heard around the world,” and the overshadowed-but-important wins of the night. CODA broke the mold, taking home the Oscar for best picture and one of its stars, Troy Kotsur became the first deaf...
Published 03/29/22
Published 03/29/22
If you’ve seen Do the Right Thing, Malcom X, or Juice – the cult classic from 1992 that catapulted rapper Tupac Shakur into movie stardom – then you know Ernest Dickerson’s work. Dickerson is a cinematographer-turned-director who’s known best for his many collaborations with Spike Lee, and his roster of gripping thrillers. Host Kelley Carter talks with Dickerson about his love of the horror genre (he’s loved it since the age of four !!), the ways horror films of the 50s and 60s influenced his...
Published 03/23/22
Aaron Sorkin’s writing style is iconic – dialogue is quippy, fast-paced, and robust – the kind you got in West Wing, Newsroom, and Sports Night. And Sorkin gives us all of that in his latest film – Being the Ricardos – a Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz biopic for which both Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem are nominated for Oscars this season. Host Kelley Carter sits down with the writer/ director Aaron Sorkin to talk about what makes this biopic different from the Lucille Ball biopic you might...
Published 03/16/22
On a new episode of ABC's "Life Out Loud with LZ Granderson," LZ explores the idea of chosen family with comedian and actress Margaret Cho, CNN's Don Lemon and the Washington Post's Jonathan Capehart. Honored as a Best New Podcast of 2021 by Spotify, "Life Out Loud" features thought-provoking, poignant and engaging conversations with some of the most influential and inspirational people in the LGBTQ+ community. Award-winning journalist LZ Granderson draws from his own experience as a gay,...
Published 03/12/22
Corey Hawkins. Even if you don’t recognize the name, you’ve probably seen his work. Remember Dre in Straight Outta Compton? How about Benny in the film adaptation of In the Heights? Or, most recently, Macduff in Joel Cohen’s Tragedy of Macbeth? Host Kelley Carter sits down for a conversation with Corey about chasing the right role, trusting the process and getting to work with legends like Denzel Washington. Then, President of the African American Film Critics Association Gil Robertson and...
Published 03/09/22
Lin-Manuel Miranda is almost an EGOT winner, but that’s not how he defines success. Miranda shares never-heard-before anecdotes from behind-the-scenes of his buzziest projects: Encanto, In the Heights, Hamilton and tick, tick…BOOM! He talks with host Kelley Carter about how he knows when he’s nailed a lyric, what it’s like writing songs with his kids, and what love advice he’d give his younger self. Plus, hear what Steven Spielberg told him when he snuck onto the Westside Story set. Then, ABC...
Published 03/02/22
Kelley Carter goes deep with Oscar nominee, Aunjanue Ellis, about her portrayal of Oracene Price in King Richard, how the loss of her mother reshaped the way she measures her success, and why it’s important for her to portray the lesser-known but important Black women in American history on the big screen. Then, Carla Renata, a.k.a. The Curvy Film Critic, and Entertainment Director at "The Grio” Cortney Wills, join Kelley to discuss Aunjanue’s brilliant performance, her chances for winning an...
Published 02/23/22
Kelley Carter sits down with legendary, three-time Academy Award-winning director Steven Spielberg and Hollywood rising star Rachel Zegler to discuss their West Side Story reboot. Then, longtime entertainment journalist Scott Huver and Hollywood Correspondent for Vanity Fair, Anthony Breznican, join Kelley to look back on Spielberg’s storied career, share insights into their favorite Spielberg flicks, and break down the parallels between the racial tensions reflected in his first musical and...
Published 02/16/22
The 2022 Oscar nominations are out, and host Kelley Carter breaks down the snubs and surprises with fellow entertainment reporters Clayton Davis and KJ Matthews. Plus, Peter Dinklage discusses his decades-long mission to dismantle Hollywood stereotypes beginning with his very first film, and including his breakout role on Game of Thrones and his most recent project playing the titular character in Cyrano.
Published 02/09/22
Entertainment journalist Kelley Carter goes one-on-one with the biggest names in Hollywood as they open up about their creative process, defining moments in their lives and careers, and highlights from this season’s most noteworthy films. Kelley also invites fellow industry insiders to empty their notebooks and share their expert insights and unique perspectives on the latest entertainment news. Guests featured in Season One will include Steven Spielberg, Aaron Sorkin, Rachel Ziegler and...
Published 01/20/22
Ginger Zee and the whole ABC entertainment team are back for one final episode breaking down all the biggest moments from the 93rd Oscars. From the surprise winners and poignant speeches, to the daring production choices and unexpected dance break from one of Hollywood’s most revered stars -- this awards show was one for the ages! And after a year spent in sweats, the celebrities brought their A-game with over-the-top red carpet fashion statements like the only the Oscars can deliver.
Published 04/26/21
The 93rd Oscars are right around the corner, and we’ve got everything you need to know before the envelopes are opened and the statues are handed out. Ginger Zee teams up with Chris Connelly, Kelley Carter, Jason Nathanson and Janai Norman to share their predictions and favorite Oscars memories. This is the perfect primer to get you ready to enjoy Hollywood’s biggest night this Sunday, April 25 at 8pm ET on ABC.
Published 04/22/21
Hollywood is synonymous with glamour, but it’s not all frivolous and superficial. What the stars choose to wear on Oscar Sunday can send a powerful message. Janai Norman talks to stylist Joe Zee about the groundbreaking fashion statements we’ve seen on red carpet, and how the pandemic could impact how the nominees dress this year. Plus, Ginger lands her biggest “get” for this series. Academy Production and Logistics Manager Lauren Selman pulls back the curtain on Hollywood’s biggest night and...
Published 04/15/21
What does it take to win Best Picture? It’s more complicated than you might think. ABC News Radio’s Jason Nathanson joins host Ginger Zee for a crash course in the campaign tactics and number crunching that determines who gets to accept Hollywood’s biggest honor. Plus, learn the backstory of a love story like no other between a man and an octopus.
Published 04/08/21
Host Ginger Zee and The Undefeated’s Kelley Carter discuss the importance of representation on and off camera, and how the Academy’s changing membership is reflected in this year’s Oscars nominations. Plus, Best Actress nominee Andra Day on the leap of faith it took for her to jump into acting and portray her idol, Billie Holiday. And, the director behind the Oscar-nominated documentary short "A Love Song for Latasha" explains why keeping Latasha Harlins’ memory from fading became her passion...
Published 04/01/21
You can watch almost all of this year’s Oscar nominated movies from your living room, but without blockbuster releases and battles over box office rankings many of the best new films have flown under the radar. Host Ginger Zee and ABC News entertainment contributor Chris Connelly help get you up to speed on all the extraordinary movies you may have missed. Plus, a preview of the history that could be made on Oscar Sunday, and how the Academy is contending with all the curveballs of COVID...
Published 03/25/21
Coming March 25, a six-part series hosted by Good Morning America's Ginger Zee, featuring Chris Connelly, Kelley Carter, Janai Norman, and Jason Nathanson. Watch the 93rd Oscars Sunday, April 25 on ABC.
Published 03/13/21
In the year since its release, "Frozen 2" has become the number one animated movie of all time and its Grammy-nominated soundtrack has spent the most weeks at number one of any soundtrack – surpassing the record set by the first "Frozen" film! ABC News' Ginger Zee is back with Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, the Oscar-winning husband and wife team behind the music for "Frozen" and "Frozen 2," for an intimate look at the impact of songs like "Into The Unknown," "When I Am Older" and...
Published 12/09/20
** Note: This episode contains "Frozen 2" spoilers. "Show Yourself." "Into the Unknown." "Lost in the Woods." These are just some of the songs that steer the emotional narrative of "Frozen 2." ABC News' Ginger Zee sits down for an intimate, one-of-a-kind performance of these songs by the team that wrote them: Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. In this episode, you'll get a deeper look into the songwriting process from raw idea to finished product. - A rare behind-the-scenes look at the...
Published 12/25/19
** Note: This episode contains "Frozen 2" spoilers. Josh Gad, who is back as the lovable snowman, Olaf, in Disney's "Frozen 2," talks with ABC News' Ginger Zee about the growth of his character, and the hilarious recording sessions that help bring him to life. Zee also talks with "Frozen 2's" co-head of animation Becky Bresee, and supervising animator of "Elsa," Wayne Unten about the dizzying array of animated designs that make the film a moving work of art. - A rare behind-the-scenes look at...
Published 12/18/19
** Note: This episode contains "Frozen 2" spoilers. The power of music is that it can make our hearts beat faster, give us a hint of what's to come or leave us wanting more, sometimes all at once, and the score for "Frozen 2" is no exception. Disney Animation head of music Tom MacDougall and composer Christophe Beck spoke with ABC News' Ginger Zee about creating the film's powerful instrumentals and how the score is used tell Anna and Elsa's story on a deeper, more emotionally-resonant...
Published 12/11/19
** Note: This episode contains "Frozen 2" spoilers. From the animators to the artists, the songwriters to the actors, everyone plays a role in bringing a project like "Frozen 2" to life. ABC News' Ginger Zee talks with the Oscar-winning team of producer Peter Del Vecho and "Frozen 2" director Chris Buck about bringing all the elements together, and breaking new ground with passion, vision, and a little bit of patience. - A rare behind-the-scenes look at the making of Frozen 2. For the first...
Published 12/04/19
** Note: This episode contains "Frozen 2" spoilers. "Frozen" became the top-grossing animated feature of all time after its 2013 release, so creating a sequel to the beloved film about two royal sisters' unbreakable bond wasn't something "Frozen 2" writer/director Jennifer Lee took on lightly. Lee talks with ABC News' Ginger Zee about the challenges of crafting a new adventure for Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Kristoff and Sven, and being a creative leader at Walt Disney Animation Studios. - A rare...
Published 11/27/19
From the first note, to the last lyric, what does it take to craft a new musical journey for "Frozen 2?" Oscar-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, the husband and wife team who created the music for "Frozen" and "Frozen 2," talk with ABC's Ginger Zee about composing the film's new soundtrack. Loving this series? Tell us with a rating and a quick review: http://bit.ly/2CZNQ4a "Inside Frozen 2" is produced by ABC Audio, makers of "The Dropout," the award-winning daily...
Published 11/20/19