Episode 414. Bob Mondello Talkback

” National Public Radio film critic Bob Mondello joined us onstage at the Reston Center Stage on the final night of our ten-day seven-show Complete Works of the Reduced Shakespeare Company (abridged) Extravaganza. Appropriately enough, our closing performance was Completely Hollywood (abridged), and Bob squandered some of his credibility by discussing Read more…

Episode 408. RSC’s Lost Works

”LIVE! From the Reston Center Stage’s Complete Works of the Reduced Shakespeare Company (abridged) Extravaganza comes this evening of Lost Works: readings, films, TV pilots, radio bits, and jokes so good they demanded to be cut from our shows. Featuring excellent banter, Jeopardy! contestant frustration, TV show-runner confusion, audience graciousness, and Read more…

Episode 325. Sentiment and Manipulation

”The season three finale of Downton Abbey and last night’s Academy Awards prompt this conversation with NPR film critic Bob Mondello, with whom we have long wanted to discuss S&M. We discuss whether “sentimental” is an appropriate critical term, and look at tropes that affect even jaded hard-boiled critics, things that break Read more…

Episode 299. Reviewing The Reviews

”Rule #1: It’s never good to get into a pissing contest with a critic. Rule #2: Sometimes it’s fun to break Rule #1. Although the American reviews of The Complete World of Sports (abridged) were ecstatic and almost uniformly positive, the UK reviews ran the gamut. Author/Directors Reed Martin and Read more…

Episode 220.5. Special Oscar Edition

”On this special extra episode, we predict this year’s tight Oscar race. Featuring a special appearance from National Public Radio movie critic Bob Mondello, and film analysis he’d be embarrassed to be associated with. (MP3. Length 9:33)

Episode 188. Reading The Reviews

”We review the reviews from our run of Completely Hollywood (abridged) at the Kennedy Center. Featuring uninformed opinions (ours), raves, pans, how to survive the critical fraternity, and a special appearance by DC institution Arch Campbell. (MP3. Length 18:33)

Episode 82. Meet Bob Mondello

”A fun chat with Bob Mondello, film critic for National Public Radio’s All Things Considered, who makes a powerful case that critics are people too. Listen as he reveals trade secrets, shares his favorite reviews, divulges the difference between criticism and reviewing, uncovers even more words you can’t say on Read more…

Episode 65. At The Movies II

”It’s a sequel! Our 2nd annual Oscar® Podcast, featuring startling insights from two RSC actors who’ve been too busy to see many of the nominated films, and a special and embarrassed appearance by NPR’s film critic Bob Mondello. Hello, gorgeous! (MP3. Length 21:57)