Latest news with #WTFWith
Express Tribune
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
All good things must come to an end: Marc Maron announces WTF podcast conclusion after 16 years
Marc Maron's podcast, WTF With Marc Maron, considered to be a trailblazer and one of the early shows to popularize the format, is set to end this fall after more than 15 years and nearly 2,000 episodes since its 2009 debut. The podcast, which has been a major influence in the audio series boom, announced its conclusion in a recent episode. Since launching on September 1, 2009, WTF has amassed around 1.1 billion downloads, listens, and impressions. The show has produced 1,645 main episodes alongside over 300 bonus episodes for premium subscribers. Maron reflected on the decision during the latest episode, stating, 'Sixteen years we've been doing this, and we've decided that we had a great run. Now, basically, it's time, folks. It's time.' The podcast is renowned for its candid conversations with comedy legends, A-list actors, and political figures, including an iconic 2015 interview with President Barack Obama. That particular episode, recorded in Maron's garage in Highland Park, California, shattered Libsyn's 24-hour download record by more than double, featuring discussions on race relations, gun violence, and political humor. Other memorable episodes include comedian Todd Glass's 2012 coming out and a 2010 interview with Robin Williams, which was preserved by the Library of Congress in 2022. Maron's guest list reads like a who's who of entertainment, featuring names such as Sir Paul McCartney, Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and SNL creator Lorne Michaels. Maron and his producer Brendan McDonald received the inaugural Governors Award for Excellence in Audio from the Podcast Academy at The Ambies in 2021. Maron cited exhaustion after nearly two decades of biweekly episodes as a key reason for ending the podcast. 'We're tired. We're burnt out. And we are utterly satisfied with the work we've done,' he said. He emphasized that ending WTF on their own terms is important, acknowledging the support of partners like Acast over the past three years. Looking ahead, Maron plans to feature new guests before the final episodes air in the fall. He also has several projects underway, including a new HBO stand-up special this summer, roles in upcoming films such as In Memoriam and Deliver Me From Nowhere, and a starring part in Apple's golf comedy series Stick. Maron thanked his listeners and guests, reflecting on the podcast's profound impact on his life and career. 'It's been an incredible time... There's probably going to be some ups and downs over the next few months... but this is a full-hearted decision. It's the right decision,' he concluded. Maron is represented by Independent Artists Group, Avalon, and Brecheen Feldman Breimer. The final episodes of WTF are expected this fall. Full details and the latest episode are available at
Sky News
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
Snow White: Little people feel 'erased' by Disney's use of CGI instead of real actors
Disney's use of CGI to create the seven miners at the heart of the live-action remake of Snow White And The Seven Dwarves has left little people feeling "disregarded" and "erased," according to a disability activist. Comedian, model and content creator Fats Timbo, who has spoken about being bullied as a child, told Sky News she believes Disney has missed a golden opportunity to educate children in what is likely to be their first encounter with someone with dwarfism. Timbo, who has dedicated her activism to raising the profile of people of short stature, has achondroplasia, a genetic condition that inhibits growth and affects around one in 27,500 people. Award-winning actor Peter Dinklage, who has the same condition, previously criticised the film, telling the WTF With Marc Maron podcast: "It makes no sense to me. You're progressive in one way, but then you're still making that f***ing backward story about seven dwarves living in a cave together?" Following the remarks, Disney said it consulted with members of the dwarfism community to "avoid reinforcing stereotypes from the original animated film". It was the 1937 classic that established Disney's name as an industry leader. But the remake has been beset by controversy. Early on it was labelled "woke" due to its casting of Latina actress Rachel Zegler, who is of Colombian-Polish descent, in the lead role. Zegler also faced backlash after suggesting the early version of the film had content that was unsuitable for the 21st century - namely the fact the prince "literally stalks" Snow White. There was then speculation as to whether Zegler and Israeli actress Gal Gadot, who plays the evil queen, got on as they have previously expressed very different views over the Gaza war. Not dwarves but 'animated magical creatures' Now the erasing of the dwarves - first from the title, then from the film, at least in human form - is proving highly divisive. Disney used computer-generated images (CGI) to create what they called "animated magical creatures" rather than using little people in the roles. Timbo tells Sky News: "Our representation is already small as it is - no pun intended. It's already limited. To erase that and use CGI, like we're mythical creatures or people that could be made on computers, it's disregarding us in general." She goes on: "Let's say kids have never seen somebody that has my condition and they've seen a CGI version of me. It's going to be a bit baffling to children. It could have been a real educational piece to have actors that have the condition and give them the role they deserve." Timbo says lack of visibility for small people has real-world consequences. "I used to get made fun of all the time. [Kids would be] saying 'You're one of the dwarves from Snow White,' that kind of thing. I think now when somebody sees a little person, they're not going to believe it's real. They're going to see that CGI version on Snow White instead of seeing a real little person that has real character with real depth." 'Snow White And The Little People' Timbo says other children's films were also used to taunt her, including Charlie And The Chocolate Factory: "The Oompa Loompas - I got called that all the time." In the Snow White remake, Martin Klebba voices CGI Grumpy, while George Appleby has a physical character, playing one of a band of seven robbers - both actors are little people. But the decision not to use people of small stature to play all seven dwarves on-screen has left many scratching their heads. And it's not the first time small people have been edited out of movies. Charlie And The Chocolate Factory's 2023 re-make, Wonka, used special effects to shrink down Hugh Grant to play an Oompa Loompa, while 2012 film Snow White And The Huntsman replaced its dwarves with able-bodied actors Ian McShane, Ray Winstone and Nick Frost. Not a fan of the term dwarfism, Timbo says she thinks Disney would also have done well to tackle the title differently, too: "If they had put a different spin on it where it was Snow White And The Little People, that would have sounded great." She says that in an attempt to avoid controversy, Disney chose "the safe option" of simply cutting the physical roles completely, and letting CGI fill the void. It's a decision Timbo calls "upsetting," due to the fact it "reaffirms the negative stereotypes of little people not being actual people". Disney's poisoned apple Timbo's 2023 book Main Character Energy, about living fearlessly in the face of adversity, seems like it could be a good read for the bosses of Disney right now, as they face growing criticism over the decision. With a muted release (no Leicester Square premiere, and a limited LA debut) it's been a less-than-fairytale opening for a movie which had been intended to rival the success of 2017 remake Beauty And The Beast. Many might say it has turned into something of a poisoned apple. Proving controversial and polarising, the response couldn't be more removed from Disney's brand proposition if it tried. Early reviews are so far mixed. Timbo says she will give the movie a shot: "I want to see if it lives up to the hype or the bad press." Box office figures and audience ratings will soon deliver a verdict, and Timbo remains generous despite reservations: "I want it to surprise me, I want to enjoy it… I hope it does do well. But obviously, I think Disney could have done things a bit differently."
See - Sada Elbalad
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Disney Scales Back "Snow White" Hollywood Premiere
Yara Sameh Disney is hosting a Hollywood premiere of 'Snow White' on March 15, but won't be rolling out a robust red carpet like it usually does. The afternoon festivities will include a pre-party and screening at the El Capitan Theatre with titular star Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, who plays the Evil Queen, expected to attend. However, the red carpet will not include the dozens of media outlets usually invited by Disney to interview the cast and creatives at its premieres. Instead, the coverage will be limited to photographers and a house crew. While the studio did not comment for this story, the scaled back plans come amid controversies surrounding the Marc Webb-directed movie, which hits theaters March 21. Some toxic Disney fans questioned Snow White being played by Zegler when her casting was announced because she is a Latina actress. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes star also faced backlash when she called the 1937 original 'dated' because the prince 'literally stalks Snow White.' In an interview with Variety at D23 two years ago, Zegler said, 'She's not going to be saved by the prince. She's not going to be dreaming about true love. She's dreaming about becoming the leader she knows she can be.' Peter Dinklage spoke out about the movie's portrayal of little people for perpetuating negative stereotypes. 'Literally no offense to anything, but I was sort of taken aback,' he said on the 'WTF With Mark Maron' podcast in January 2024. 'They were very proud to cast a Latino actress as Snow White, but you're still telling the story of 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.' Take a step back and look at what you're doing there.' Shortly following Dinklage's remarks, Disney said in a statement to 'Good Morning America,' 'To avoid reinforcing stereotypes from the original animated film, we are taking a different approach with these seven characters and have been consulting with members of the dwarfism community.' Zegler reasons that the backlash to the movie is due to the 'passion' for the original movie. 'I interpret people's sentiments towards this film as passion,' she said in an interview in the March issue of Vogue Mexico. 'What an honor to be a part of something that people feel so passionately about. We're not always going to agree with everyone who surrounds us and all we can do is our best.' World politics have also come into play. Zegler has promoted 'free Palestine' on social media. At the same time, Gadot, who is Israeli, has become an outspoken supporter of Israel on social media. Gadot has stayed away from politics in the past but has said she felt she needed to speak up after the October 7 Israel-Hamas war. MAGA supporters also blasted Zegler for her reaction to Donald Trump's reelection when she posted on Instagram, in part, 'May Trump supporters and Trump voters and Trump himself never know peace.' She apologized for her remarks two days later. 'Snow White' publicity plans have already included Gadot and Zegler presenting together at the Oscars Zegler is also set to make a promotional appearance in Tokyo as well as travel with Webb to Spain for the movie. The "West Side Story" star will also host a screening in New York City for the Broadway community.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Marc Maron on Making a Doc About the Grief of Losing His Partner, Lynn Shelton: ‘It Was Interesting to Let Another Artist Interpret What I'm Going Through'
In 'Are We Good?' comedian and podcast pioneer Marc Maron works his way through life after the unexpected death of his partner, filmmaker Lynn Shelton. The 95-minute documentary is directed by Steven Feinartz, who also directed the comedian's 2023 HBO special 'Marc Maron: From Bleak to Dark.' The doc captures Maron as he processes his grief on and off comedy stages. The film also chronicles Maron's lengthy, complicated career, his struggle with addiction, his relationship with his declining father, and what the comedian is best known for – his podcast 'WTF With Marc Maron,' which launched in 2009. More from Variety Chelsea Handler Talks Kids, Her Career and How to Survive Trump at She Media SXSW Session: 'I Have the Body I Wanted at 20, and I'm 50' Marlee Matlin, Bellingcat Co-Founder, Brazilian Televangelist Among Subjects of Special Presentation Titles at Hot Docs Mia Bendrimia's 'Magma,' Produced With Oscar Nominee Kira Simon-Kennedy, Confronts France's 'Willful Amnesia' About Colonial Past in Algeria Feinartz and Maron, who met 13 years ago during an episode of WTF, started filming 'Are We Good' in May 2021 – a year after Shelton died. 'The film was a three and a half year undertaking, where I spent a bulk of the production with just myself filming Marc,' says Feinartz. 'My intention was to make a stripped down film that doesn't pull any punches. If you're a listener of his podcast or aware of his comedy, you'd understand that substance and honesty outweigh style. So, instead of the more conventional, highly-polished, flashy documentaries of today, I went for an approach that is more reminiscent of the films I came up admiring. 'Crumb,' 'Hoop Dreams,' and 'Bill Cunningham New York' to name a few.' 'Are We Good?', which is a reference to Maron's signature sign-off to his podcast, is a raw, unfiltered look at a 60-year-old man who is trying to balance life and a career while attempting to mend a broken heart. Variety spoke to Maron and Feinartz ahead of the SXSW world premiere of 'Are We Good?' on March 11. Steven, you said in the production notes for this film that you were initially hesitant about making this doc because Maron has long maintained careful control of his narrative. What made you take the leap and make the doc? Maron: Yeah. Talk about that, Steven. I want to know how I control my narrative. Explain that to me. I felt nothing but out of control of my narrative for as long as you been shooting this thing, but go ahead. Feinartz: I've been a long-time listener of WTF since the beginning days of the podcast, and I just always felt that you were getting Marc's story from Marc, and that's the most important thing. It's a confessional, and it's honest, and it's real. It's what he says to his fans and how he says it, and I thought, pulling back and seeing Marc from a different view would be interesting. The initial hesitation was that I felt that maybe Marc wouldn't have wanted a documentary, especially coming off something so heavy. I felt almost overly sensitive to the idea of it and didn't want it to feel like any exploitation of his grief. So, there were a lot of things that I was hesitant about. Marc, why did you agree to participate in this documentary? Maron: Years ago, some guy wanted to make a documentary about me when the podcast started becoming popular, and people didn't really know about podcasts. It was funny because I didn't know if I earned one in a way. So, when Steven wanted to do this, I felt like, what is it? And then it became about coming out of Covid and moving through grief, and then it just kept going on and on. There were points where I said to Steven, 'Are you waiting for me to die? Are you waiting for an ending?' That's usually when a documentary gets made – after someone dies or something horrible happens. But I thought it was interesting to let another artist interpret what I'm going through. I thought, well, if there's something that people will get out of this thing, let's do it. There are moments in the doc that are very funny, but overall, it is not a lighthearted film about a comedian. How do you think audiences will react to that? Feinartz: I think people who see a Marc Maron documentary know it's not going to be light. It's definitely not a traditional comedy doc, and I never intended to make a comedy documentary. It's a profile. I don't want to say it, but I will – Marc is a lovable curmudgeon and I think people who don't know his comedy as well, and maybe haven't been listening to the podcast for a bit, will be reminded of why they liked him and maybe will find a new perspective on him. Marc, was making this doc cathartic in any way? Maron: The impact that the doc had on me in terms of catharsis is that I do what I do for who I do it for, and it does help those people a great deal. And it helps me. I'm excited to generate the stuff I generate. So would you say that the doc made you feel good about yourself? Maron: I don't know about that. I mean, let's not go crazy. After I watched the last cut of the film, I said to Steven, 'Jesus, man. You make me look like this cranky but decent guy who succeeded despite himself.' And Steven goes, 'Yeah. Exactly.' So, on that level, I think it's not really a wake-up call, but there was some clarity around certain things that I would not have been able to see from my point of view about myself. 'Are We Good?' is seeking distribution. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Oscars 2026: First Blind Predictions Including Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, 'Wicked: For Good' and More What's Coming to Disney+ in March 2025
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘The Brutalist' director says critically-acclaimed movie made him ‘zero dollar's (VIDEO)
LOS ANGELES, Feb 19 — The Brutalist director Brady Corbet revealed that he earned no money from his Oscar-nominated film, despite its critical success. Speaking on WTF With Marc Maron, Corbet said he recently directed commercials in Portugal, which was the first time he had made any money in years. Corbet, alongside his wife and creative partner Mona Fastvold, said that they also made no income from their previous film, Vox Lux (2018). When Maron asked if he was being hyperbolic, Corbet insisted he was honest about his situation. 'Yes. Actually, zero. We had to just sort of live off of a pay cheque from three years ago.' The Brutalist, which earned 10 Academy Award nominations including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Adrien Brody, has not provided financial returns for its creators. Corbet explained that many filmmakers behind Oscar-nominated films struggle financially, with some unable to afford rent despite their industry recognition. He attributed part of the financial strain to the demanding press circuit, saying he has spent six months promoting the film without being paid. The director described the process as exhausting, revealing he conducted 90 interviews in a single week and has not had a day off since Christmas.
