Hand Me the Mike
Hand Me the Mike
Podcast Description
Michael Shannon: A true Midwesterner with over 100 acting credits to his name; a fan of The Smiths and REM; a man who remains dedicated to the stage; General Zod. Shannon may be remembered as a character actor to many, but there’s no doubt that the gravity of a scene shifts in his direction whenever he is on screen or the stage. While his roles range in size and screen time, genre, legacy, collaborators, and quality, a look through Shannon’s filmography reveals a fascinatingly comprehensive snapshot of America. The country’s paranoia and crookedness... its diseased capitalism... the American nuclear family... the U.S.’s possibility of resilience and community... our worst superhero movie impulses... our valiant depictions of war... our adoration of Rock n’ Roll... it all exists within the Mike Shannon Canon.
Host Daniella Mazzio will be joined by a rotation of Michael Shannon fans, film critics, and Chicagoans, to discuss how Shannon’s filmography and what makes him such an illuminating performer, with special reported episodes that look at his work across other mediums, including music and theatre.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast delves into themes such as the complexities of American identity through cinematic storytelling, exploring Michael Shannon's roles that reflect societal anxieties, moral dilemmas, and the American experience, with episodes discussing films like Man of Steel and Take Shelter, highlighting philosophical and political undertones.
Michael Shannon: A true Midwesterner with over 100 acting credits to his name; a fan of The Smiths and REM; a man who remains dedicated to the stage; General Zod. Shannon may be remembered as a character actor to many, but there’s no doubt that the gravity of a scene shifts in his direction whenever he is on screen or the stage. While his roles range in size and screen time, genre, legacy, collaborators, and quality, a look through Shannon’s filmography reveals a fascinatingly comprehensive snapshot of America. The country’s paranoia and crookedness… its diseased capitalism… the American nuclear family… the U.S.’s possibility of resilience and community… our worst superhero movie impulses… our valiant depictions of war… our adoration of Rock n’ Roll… it all exists within the Mike Shannon Canon.
Host Daniella Mazzio will be joined by a rotation of Michael Shannon fans, film critics, and Chicagoans, to discuss how Shannon’s filmography and what makes him such an illuminating performer, with special reported episodes that look at his work across other mediums, including music and theatre.
Did you ever f*** Mel Gibson?
After a hiatus, Hand Me the Mike is back with one of our most fun episodes yet! Host Daniella Mazzio is joined by Minneapolis-based writer Natalie Marlin to talk about John Waters’ irreverent Hollywood satire Cecil B. Demented (2000). Listen as Daniella and Natalie discuss the different eras of John Waters’ career, his prescience regarding the future of filmmaking, and how Michael Shannon’s small but pivotal role within the ensemble utilizes his signature intensity.
Natalie Marlin is a writer, art and culture journalist, and essayist based near Minneapolis, MN. Her writing has been featured in publications such as Stereogum, The Quietus, Bright Wall/Dark Room, and Pitchfork. Her book Noise Music is forthcoming from Bloomsbury as part of Genre: A 33 1/3 Series.
Follow Natalie on Bluesky.
This is a completely free, DIY project; support is optional, but greatly appreciated.
Follow Daniella on Twitter and Instagram at @DaniellaMazzio and on Bluesky at @daniellamazzio.bsky.social.
The Hand Me the Mike theme song samples R.E.M.’s ”Nightswimming.”
Additional music includes Hallelujah the Hills’ very generous public domain track ”01 Untitled, Actual Title (Joker 1)” from the album DECK: JOKERS. Check out the band’s playing card-inspired releases at: https://hallelujahthehills.bandcamp.com/.
Hand Me the Mike cover art features an illustration from Daniella and fonts designed by Steve Shanabruch as part of The Chicago Neighborhoods.
Additional audio snippets are from Cecil B. Demented, The Simpsons, and They Came Together.
This episode of Hand Me the Mike was produced by Joe Engleman and Daniella Mazzio, and edited by Daniella Mazzio.
Reviews, profiles, and interviews featured in the episode:
Natalie’s interview with Michael Shannon for Stereogum: https://stereogum.com/2249662/weve-got-a-file-on-you-michael-shannon/interviews
Michael Shannon interviews from…
John Waters Interviews from…
Order 'The Extended Universe' by Vicky Osterweil
Read the first part of Daniella's write up on public funding in the film industry.
Read Daniella’s 2023 reporting on why certain movies aren't always available to audiences.
Watch the "White Lie" music video from Foreigner featuring Michael Shannon and Nick Offerman.
Get tickets to the Pink Flamingos screening at The Heights Theater in Minneapolis (introduced by Natalie!)
Disclaimer
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