Special Guests

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Role Calling's three-part Lord of the Rings holiday special comes to a conclusion, but not before a rousing climax and several emotional endings. This week, actor/producer Mary Kate Wiles joins Ned and Caroline for a conversation all about Peter Jackson's third and final LOTR installment, The Return of the King. And boy is there a lot to discuss!
From the Battle of the Pelennor Fields to the showdown on Mount Doom, the trio go deep on what makes Tolkien's world so special, which performers shine brightest in ROTK, and which scenes they can't stop thinking about.
You can follow Mary Kate on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Patreon (@mkwiles on most social media platforms). And be sure to check out Shipwrecked Comedy's delightful new series "Headless: A Sleepy Hollow Story," which is streaming for free on YouTube as both a 10-part series and a single-cut version.
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can also follow us on Twitter or Instagram (both @rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

The journey to Mordor continues as Ned and Caroline move on to Peter Jackson's action-packed epic, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Special guest Joe Cunningham of the Cinematic Universe podcast joins to break down the debuts of Gollum, Rohan, Treebeard and more — not to mention a little sequence called the Battle of Helm's Deep.
The trio also touch on The Rings of Power, analyze the accents across the LOTR ensemble, and get into an unexpectedly heated debate about Faramir.
You can follow Joe on Twitter (@JoeCunningham14) and find Cinematic Universe (@cine_verse) wherever you listen to podcasts, as well as on Patreon.
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can also follow us on Twitter or Instagram (both @rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Golden rings, bearded men, elves in white dresses with blue satin sashes — what are The Lord of the Rings films if not the ultimate holiday classics? So to celebrate the festive season, Ned and Caroline are kicking off a brand new series on Peter Jackson's iconic LOTR trilogy and its stellar ensemble acting.
This week, returning guests Zoë Maltby and Emily Marso join for a goofy, earnest, unexpectedly horny celebration of The Fellowship of the Ring.
Watch the 2020 Lord of the Rings cast Zoom reunion
You can follow Zoë on Instagram and Twitter (both @captainmaltby), as well as on Letterboxd (@zoecatherine). And you can follow Emily on Instagram and Twitter (both @missmarso).
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can also follow us on Twitter or Instagram (both @rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.

Halloween Ends

44 years after Jamie Lee Curtis burst onto the scene as Laurie Strode, she returns to wrap up her time with Michael Myers in Halloween Ends. So, naturally, Ned and Caroline had to check in on their former Role Calling star in a special Halloween bonus episode!
They're joined by Happy Harvest Horror Show co-host Brian Muldoon to chat about David Gordon Green's controversial trilogy capper, JLC's unexpectedly upbeat performance, and the Corey Cunningham of it all. Don't worry, however, both fans and detractors of Halloween Ends will find something for them in this episode.
You can find the Happy Harvest Horror Show wherever you listen to podcasts, and keep up with all their spooky season antics on Instagram (@happyharvesthorrorshow). You can also find Brian on Instagram and Twitter (both @brimuldoon)
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can also follow us on Twitter or Instagram (both @rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.

The Greatest Beer Run Ever: Zac Efron, Part 5

Our Zac Efron retrospective series comes to a close with a brand new movie and a brand new jawline! This week, Documentary Now! writer/producer Matt Pacult joins Caroline and Ned to break down Zac's new AppleTV+ Vietnam War comedy, The Greatest Beer Run Ever. The trio also chat about the new look Zac debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival, his role as a brand ambassador for Kodiak Cakes pancake mix, and where they think his career might head next as he celebrates his 35th birthday this week.
You can follow Matt on Instagram (@mattpacult), and be sure to watch the new season of Documentary Now! on IFC and AMC+.
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can also follow us on Twitter or Instagram (both @rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.

The Greatest Showman: Zac Efron, Part 4

After a brief detour with Neighbors, Caroline and Ned return to "Zac Efron: Oops All Musicals" territory with The Greatest Showman — one of the wildest cinematic endeavors of the past decade. And to break down the circus insanity, they're joined by a very special guest: Caroline's sister, Katie Siede!
Together, the trio chat about CGI lions, impressive aerial stunts, and Zac's unique brand of musical theater earnestness. Plus Katie and Caroline reminiscence about trying to learn the "This Is Me" choreography; Ned celebrates the athleticism of Dog Boy; and everyone is thoroughly baffled by the choice to frame P.T. Barnum as a hero of the oppressed.
Is this movie good? Is it bad? Forget it, Jake. It's The Greatest Showman. 
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can also follow us on Twitter or Instagram (both @rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.

High School Musical: Zac Efron, Part 1

It's the start of something new! This week, Caroline and Ned launch their brand new series on the one and only mid-aughts icon, Zac Efron. And to help them revisit his breakout turn as Troy Bolton in High School Musical, they're joined by special guest and HSM aficionado Zoë Maltby.
Together the trio dig into all things East High, from the highs and lows of the trilogy to the irresistible appeal of Troy Bolton to the high-camp of Ryan and Sharpay. Plus they share their nostalgic memories of the franchise, discuss the cinematic brilliance of "Bet On It" and just generally have one of the most in-depth discussions of a Disney Channel Original Movie series ever recorded.
What team?!? Wildcats!
You can follow Zoë on Twitter and Instagram (both @captainmaltby), as well as on Letterboxd. And donate to her short film via Venmo: @zoemaltby
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can also follow us on Twitter or Instagram (both @rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.

Pain and Glory: Antonio Banderas, Part 5

After two decades of blockbuster filmmaking, Antonio Banderas put his dramatic chops to tremendous use in 2019's Pain and Glory — earning his first ever Oscar nomination in the process. This week, Ned and Caroline are joined by actor and teacher Will Kazda to break down this stunning Pedro Almodóvar film, which sees Antonio play a fictionalized version of the famed director. The trio also spend a surprising amount of time talking about the Shrek and Puss in Boots franchises, as well as Antonio's years as the Nasonex bee. Plus Ned and Caroline announce the next actor they'll be covering after saying adios to Antonio.
You can follow Will on Twitter and Instagram, as well as on his excellent Letterboxd account (all @willkazda).
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can also follow us on Twitter or Instagram (both @rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.

Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!: Antonio Banderas, Part 2

Before Antonio Banderas was a Hollywood icon, he was an early muse for Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar. And this week, Ned and Caroline look at all five of their 1980s collaborations, anchored by Antonio's sexy/scary turn as a kidnapper in 1989's Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! And since the hosts are very much novices when it comes to these films, there was only one person they could ask to guest on this episode: Noted Almodóvar expert and enthusiast Manish Mathur!
Together, the trio chat through films like Matador, Law of Desire and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. Plus they hash out what makes Almodóvar such a special filmmaker and how he sees Antonio Banderas in a different way than Hollywood does.
You can follow Manish on Twitter (@vertigay314) and Letterboxd. And listen to his podcasts It Pod To Be You and Queer And Now — especially the episodes on Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! and Pain and Glory.
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can also follow us on Twitter or Instagram (both @rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.

The Mask of Zorro: Antonio Banderas, Part 1

Don your masks and saddle your horses, it's time to tackle the classic (and maybe unfairly forgotten) 1990s swashbuckling adventure, The Mask of Zorro! This week, Ned and Caroline kick off their brand new Antonio Banderas series with arguably his most iconic big screen performance to date. And they enlist their friend and fellow Zorro fan Jon Harrison to help them do it.
From playful performances to smokin' hot romances, the trio go deep on what makes this film so special. And Ned should know, he's spent a lifetime championing this former childhood fav. 
Also, we forgot to mention it in the episode, but we have a brand new Instagram account! Follow us there, where we're @rolecalling.
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can also follow us on Twitter (@rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.