*All Episodes*

Joe Versus the Volcano: Meg Ryan, Part 2

Before Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks became a beloved rom-com couple in Sleepless In Seattle and You've Got Mail, they starred in the kooky adventure romance, Joe Versus the Volcano — a cult classic if there ever was one. This week, Caroline and Ned delve into this wackadoo little John Patrick Shanley movie, and sing the praises of not one but three separate Meg Ryan performances.
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can get in touch on Twitter (twitter.com/rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.

When Harry Met Sally: Meg Ryan, Part 1

What happens when a single film immediately makes you America's sweetheart? That's what Caroline and Ned plan to find out as they kick off 2022 by diving into the career of the rom-com queen herself, Meg Ryan. Not only did 1989's When Harry Met Sally make Ryan a star, it also inspired an entire renaissance in rom-com filmmaking. Ned and Caroline dig into what makes this timeless classic so good, sing the praises of Ryan's comedic timing, and try not to just quote every single iconic line from this all-timer romance.
Read Caroline's column about When Harry Met Sally (avclub.com/after-when-harry-met-sally-almost-every-rom-com-tried-1823690771)
Watch Rob Reiner and Nora Ephron discuss making the film (youtu.be/q5-j7K8Mbzk)
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can get in touch on Twitter (twitter.com/rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.

Westworld S1: Jeffrey Wright, Part 5

Have you ever questioned the nature of your reality? For the final installment in their Jeffrey Wright retrospective series, Ned and Caroline do just that by taking a trip into Westworld's first season. Though this show features virtually all of Ned's favorite things, he had never actually seen it before. So he and Caroline welcome Westworld aficionado Rachel Kenney to help them work through the maze.
You can follow Rachel on Instagram (instagram.com/rachel.kenney) and Twitter (twitter.com/RachKenney), and find I Have a Question with Rachel and Walls (anchor.fm/withrachelandwalls) wherever you listen to podcasts.
You can also learn more about Rachel's upcoming show in New York City here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/outoftouch-nyc-production
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can get in touch on Twitter (twitter.com/rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.

Angels In America: Jeffrey Wright, Part 4

Jeffrey Wright once referred to Angels In America as the "epicenter" of his career. After winning a Tony for his performance on Broadway in 1994, he reprised his role in HBO's prestigious 2003 star-studded miniseries adaptation. This week, Ned and Caroline look back on Tony Kushner's masterwork with the help of actor, singer, and queer futurist Will Wilhelm. Let the great work begin!
You can follow Will on Instagram (instagram.com/wwilhelm) and find their podcast Teacakes & Tarot (instagram.com/teacakesandtarot) wherever you listen to podcasts.
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can get in touch on Twitter (twitter.com/rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.

Shaft (2000): Jeffrey Wright, Part 3

Who is the man that would risk his neck for his brother, man? Wright! Can you dig it? Ned and Caroline sure can. This week, the hosts take a look at Jeffrey Wright's iconic turn as Peoples Hernandez in John Singleton's 2000 action crime thriller, Shaft. They chat about what Wright brings to the larger-than-life villain role as well as how this legacy sequel stacks up against the 1971 original. Plus they revisit early Role Calling star Christian Bale in his illustrious era of playing murderous yuppies. So throw on a leather trench coat, grab your favorite ice pick, and come listen along.
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can get in touch on Twitter (twitter.com/rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.

Basquiat: Jeffrey Wright, Part 2

Before Jeffrey Wright became Hollywood's go-to character actor, he had his breakout leading man turn in the 1996 indie biopic, Basquiat. So this week, Ned and Caroline journey into the world of neo-expressionist art with special guest Joolz of The Pod Has Been Cast. From David Bowie as Andy Warhol to the director's self-insert character, there's a lot to unpack. And the trio wade through it all while celebrating Wright's mesmerizing turn as Jean-Michel Basquiat himself.
You can follow Joolz on Instagram (instagram.com/itsjoolz) and find their sci-fi Dungeons & Dragons show The Podcast Has Been Cast (thephbcast.com) wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also keep up with the show on Instagram (instagram.com/thepodhasbeencast).
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can get in touch on Twitter (twitter.com/rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.

No Time To Die: Jeffrey Wright, Part 1

The name's Wright, Jeffrey Wright. And even if you don't recognize him by that moniker, you almost certainly know his face. This week, Ned and Caroline kick off their new miniseries on one of the best character actors around. And they're joined by special guest Joe Cunningham of the Cinematic Universe podcast to look at Wright's brand new big screen project: No Time To Die.
Wright's small but memorable role as Felix Leiter is one of the cornerstones of the Daniel Craig era of Bond. And Ned, Caroline, and Joe pay tribute to what makes Wright such a great bit player, while diving deep into all things 007.
You can follow Joe on Twitter (twitter.com/JoeCunningham14) and find Cinematic Universe (twitter.com/cine_verse) wherever you listen to podcasts.
Here's the short IMDb video essay on Jeffrey Wright's unusual career path: youtu.be/nWG8RBhnXf0
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can get in touch on Twitter (twitter.com/rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.

Giant: James Dean, Part 3

James Dean may have only starred in three films, but one of them was a full-on epic. This week Caroline and Ned welcome pop culture critic Roxana Hadadi to talk about Giant, the last (and longest) film Dean ever made. The trio discuss what makes this iconic 1956 American epic so special, how it looks from the eyes of 2021, and what it's like to watch the teen idol age into an old man onscreen. Plus they chat about some behind-the-scenes gossip and share their parting thoughts on Dean's place as a Hollywood legend.
You can follow Roxana on Twitter (twitter.com/roxana_hadadi) for all her great pop culture takes.
As referenced in the episode, here's the photo of James Dean and Elizabeth Taylor practicing ballet on the set of Giant (i.pinimg.com/originals/d2/94/ee/d294ee3f8f728708c37e9a20678f23c5.jpg)
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can get in touch on Twitter (twitter.com/rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.

East of Eden: James Dean, Part 2

Stanislavski! Strasberg! Stella! This week, Caroline and Ned go deep on the history of method acting as they look at James Dean's leading man debut in Elia Kazan's 1955 family drama, East of Eden. The hosts explore what it means to be an "actor's director," share some of their own experiences with acting and directing, and try to figure out why this movie is so goddamn stressful.
As mentioned in the episode, you can watch James Dean act opposite Ronald Reagan in the 1954 TV drama " The Dark Dark Hours" (youtu.be/wzVdx-HTPDI). And you can also check out this really great collection of photos from Dean's life (medium.com/everythings-interesting/james-dean-a-life-in-pictures-5c0e0877472).
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can get in touch on Twitter (twitter.com/rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.

Rebel Without A Cause: James Dean, Part 1

Role Calling takes a swerve into the 1950s this week, as Caroline and Ned kick off their brand new series on James Dean. The Hollywood legend and famed method actor only made three movies before his untimely death at the age of 24. And this series will cover them all, starting with his iconic turn as Jim Stark in 1955's Rebel Without A Cause. It's a conversation for fans and novices alike as the hosts dig into Dean's biography, talk through the film's unique plot structure, and share their favorite moments of Dean's stellar performance.
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can get in touch on Twitter (twitter.com/rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.