The Parting Shot with H. Alan Scott

Get ready to get messy. This week, we're joined by the brilliant and hilarious Brandon Kyle Goodman for a gloriously unfiltered, absolutely NSFW chat. You know them as the writer and voice on Netflix's Big Mouth, but Brandon is a multi-talented force dedicated to helping us all embrace our most authentic, chaotic, and beautiful selves. We dive headfirst into their incredible book, You Gotta Be You, discussing everything from radical self-acceptance to the messy parts of life we're often told to hide. Brandon spills the tea on the inspiration behind their podcast, Tell Me Something Messy, and gives us a peek behind the curtain of their iconic "Messy Mondays" on Instagram. Strap in for a conversation that covers it all: the highs and lows of creative life, the power of owning your story, and why being a little bit messy is a goddamn superpower. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.newsweek.com/newsletter/the-culture/ Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott Subscribe to Newsweek’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/newsweek See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Elvira firmly believes Halloween requires spooky snacks, and she’s here to provide some inspiration with Elvira's Cookbook from Hell: Sexy, Spooky Soirées and Celebrations for Every Occasion. "I ate every single recipe. I was tasting every single one and they were all great," Cassandra Peterson, the actress behind Elvira, told Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott. "I do love to cook, however. I don't know about Elvira. I don’t think she cooks so much, but I love cooking." For the past 45 years, Elvira has been a staple of Halloween. “I've never had a Halloween off.” But that’s ok, because she’s proud of playing such a vital role in so many people’s lives. “I get gay guys coming up to me and saying, ‘Oh, you saved me, because I had your poster in my bedroom and my parents were like, ‘Oh thank God, he's not gay.’ Little did they know.” And ultimately, she knows that despite never having Halloween off, she’s given something back to the dark souls of the world with Elvira and has no plans to stop. “It's fun and people get a laugh out of it. And that's what's important. Laughing is important. We need to laugh more than ever. And if I can do that for people, I hope I can do it for a long, long time.” Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.newsweek.com/newsletter/the-culture/ Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott Subscribe to Newsweek’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/newsweek See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For Hotel Costiera, Jesse Williams was drawn to making "something that is global.” The new Prime Video series stars Williams as Daniel De Luca, a former Marine who returns home to Italy to work at a hotel, only to find himself tasked with finding the missing daughter of the hotel’s owner. While he has “no complaints” filming in Positano paradise, “I tried to stay relatively disciplined, but I ate a lot of pasta and bread,” Williams told Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott. Of the character, he related to his duality. "I don't really say I'm half anything," he notes. "That has to have found itself stewing in something Daniel DeLuca is dealing with." And this series represents a new phase for Williams, taking creative control as a producer. "It certainly feels good... to bet on you in the same way you're trying to bet on yourself.” After leaving his iconic role on Grey's Anatomy, his first move was a deliberate challenge, first going to Broadway and now this, raising the stakes even further by creating an original show. “It's not based on IP or something else. Like it's really trying to forge something new in a space.” But at the end of the day, it’s all about the process. "I love the collaboration that exists in our business." Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.newsweek.com/newsletter/the-culture/ Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott Subscribe to Newsweek’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/newsweek See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For millions of people, a trip to a Disney park is a special occasion, a magical escape. But what if it was your job? What if your office was Main Street, U.S.A., and your daily task was to ride attractions and eat snacks for an audience of thousands? Today we're talking to someone who lives that reality: David Vaughn, one of the most engaging Disney content creators on YouTube and social media. He joins Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott to pull back the curtain to ask him what the job is really like, what drives his passion for the parks, and we get an honest answer to the ultimate question: does having to press 'record' change the way you experience the magic? For more on David Vaughn: https://thedavidvaughn.com/ Follow David’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidVaughn Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.newsweek.com/newsletter/the-culture/ Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott Subscribe to Newsweek’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/newsweek See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What comes to mind when you hear the term 'Disney Adult'? Is it a stereotype, a punchline, or something much deeper? Today, we're getting the definitive take from the person who literally wrote the book on it. AJ Wolfe, the brilliant creator of the essential YouTube channel, The Disney Food Blog, and now the author of the fantastic new book, 'Disney Adults: Exploring (And Falling In Love With) A Magical Subculture,’ joins Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott on today’s episode of the Parting Shot Podcast. We're diving into the joy, the community, and the misconceptions behind one of the most passionate fandoms in the world. From the psychology of nostalgia to the business of running a Disney media empire, get ready for a truly magical conversation. Pick up Disney Adults: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Disney-Adults/AJ-Wolfe/9781668069219 Follow AJ Wolfe’s Disney Food Blog: https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/ Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.newsweek.com/newsletter/the-culture/ Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott Subscribe to Newsweek’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/newsweek See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For Bobbi Brown, patience isn't a virtue; it’s an obstacle. The makeup artist and entrepreneur operates on a timeline dictated by instinct, not corporate calendars. “I have no patience,” Brown tells Newsweek’s Parting Shot Podcast in a wide-ranging conversation about her new memoir Still Bobbi. “Like I go in and I say, ‘Oh I love this new product, when are we getting it? February?’ I’m like, ‘Hell no, bring it out in November. I don't care it's not in a package.’” This drive is the engine behind her entire career. Still Bobbi chronicles the story of a woman who built a billion-dollar beauty empire in her own name, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, only to walk away from it in order to start over (again), this time on her own terms with a new makeup brand, Jones Road Beauty. “I do hope and I do think that my story is empowering to people,” Brown says. “And they're like, ‘Well, look, if she did this and she went through this, then I could do this.’” Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.newsweek.com/newsletter/the-culture/ Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott Subscribe to Newsweek’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/newsweek See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

She's one of the most iconic and feared players in reality TV history, and this week, the legendary Parvati Shallow joins Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott for a can't-miss conversation. From the cutthroat beaches of Survivor to the paranoia-filled castle of The Traitors, Parvati has mastered the art of the game, but what about the woman behind the "Black Widow" persona? She pulls back the curtain on her most famous strategic moves and dives deep into the powerful lessons on intuition and resilience she shares in her brand new book, Nice Girls Don't Win: How I Burned It All Down to Claim My Power. Whether you know her as a master strategist, a cunning traitor, or a Survivor winner, tune in to hear the side of Parvati Shallow you haven't seen on screen. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.newsweek.com/newsletter/the-culture/ Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott Subscribe to Newsweek’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/newsweek See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Robin Wright knew that in her new Prime Video show The Girlfriend, which she developed in addition to starring in, she would have to fight the potential for melodrama, because “it could easily go there,” she told Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott. “This was so much of our discussion in the writer's room. How do we keep it plausible?” Wright plays Laura, whose adult son Daniel (Laurie Davidson) starts dating a suspicious woman named Cherry (Olivia Cooke) and proceeds to spiral out of control. “She does not want to lose him to anything. She is very overprotective and ends up becoming possessive.” Despite her sharing few similarities with her character— “I'm not that possessive with my son.”— she still feels a kinship with her. “Everyone you play, as venal as they can be, they believe that they're doing the right thing. So you have to believe that within them.” Wearing many hats, Wright doubled as co-star and director for many episodes. “I could be in the scene with Olivia or Laurie and I'm watching them as a director, like split brain, you know? But I'm still feeding them the character, Laura.” And while she’s directed a number of projects, she says she still has room to grow. “I'm still learning. I'm learning and trying to learn how to get my style.” Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.newsweek.com/newsletter/the-culture/ Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott Subscribe to Newsweek’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/newsweek See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Picture it: September 1985. A new sitcom about four older women living together in Miami premieres, and television is changed forever. Forty years later, The Golden Girls is more beloved than ever. Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott is celebrating this landmark anniversary with a very special guest, Stan Zimmerman, who was in the writers' room during the iconic first season. Stan takes us back to the beginning, sharing stories about the magic of Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty, and why the show’s themes of love, friendship, and chosen family resonate so deeply four decades later. Grab a slice of cheesecake and join us on the lanai for this unforgettable conversation. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.newsweek.com/newsletter/the-culture/ Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott Subscribe to Newsweek’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/newsweek See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is there anything better than a table full of great food and great company? But for many of us, the thought of actually hosting that party can be overwhelming. Well, it's time to put that fear aside. Bestselling author, food media icon, and professional nice Jewish boy, the one and only Jake Cohen joins Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott to talk about his incredible new cookbook, Dinner Party Animal: Recipes to Make Every Day a Celebration. Jake shares his philosophy that a "dinner party" isn't about perfection; it's about connection. He gives us his best tips, tricks, and confidence-boosting secrets to help you become the host you've always wanted to be, whether it's for a holiday feast or a casual Tuesday night. Order Dinner Party Animal: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/dinner-party-animal-jake-cohen?variant=43612579397666 Follow Jake Cohen: https://www.instagram.com/jakecohen Follow Michael Strassner: https://www.instagram.com/strasshola/ Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.newsweek.com/newsletter/the-culture/ Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott Subscribe to Newsweek’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/newsweek See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Clear the floor because we have Arconia royalty in the building! Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott chats with the delightful Michael Cyril Creighton, known to all of us as the cat-loving, ever-present, and scene-stealing Howard Morris from Hulu's Only Murders in the Building. With the dust barely settled from the latest season's finale, we couldn't resist looking ahead. We talk about his personal hopes for Howard's character arc (will he finally find lasting love? Or a new cat?) and the behind-the-scenes magic of working alongside legends like Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez. Season five of Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building is streaming now.  Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.newsweek.com/newsletter/the-culture/= Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott Subscribe to Newsweek’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/newsweek See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Michael Strassner joins Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott to talk about how one little direct message to Jay Duplass is what birthed the their new film The Baltimorons. A beautiful and heartfelt film set in Baltimore tells the personal and funny story of one man’s journey to sobriety on a fateful Christmas Eve. We talked about how difficult it is to get a movie made these days and what it means to Michael to have this film show his hometown, Baltimore.  For more on the film, check out: https://www.ifccenter.com/films/the-baltimorons/ Follow Michael Strassner: https://www.instagram.com/strasshola/ Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.newsweek.com/newsletter/the-culture/ Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott Subscribe to Newsweek’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/newsweek See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Of the new sitcom The Paper, about a struggling Midwestern newspaper and its staff, Domhnall Gleeson is quick to note that while it shares a universe with The Office (they share the same mockumentary crew and a cast member), its motivation is different. “I think the people who go into work in this workplace, their reason for going to work is very different than a lot of people in The Office,” Gleeson tells Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott. And he credits that delicate balance of nostalgia and newness to creator Greg Daniels. “Part of what makes him great is that he is continually interested in the next thing.” Gleeson adds, “he’s looking at the next funny idea.” At the show’s center is Gleeson’s Ned, the editor-in-chief who Gleeson describes as “hopeful and optimistic”—both his greatest asset and flaw. “He thinks the world is a better place than it is, and he wants the world to be an even better place.” Ultimately, Gleeson hopes The Paper has a similar impact on the fans as The Office did. “It’s nice to be a part of something that hopefully will make people happy or give people a warm place to spend time.” Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.newsweek.com/newsletter/the-culture/ Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott Subscribe to Newsweek’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/newsweek See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Grab your friendship bracelets and a side of country-fried steak, because we are covering the full spectrum of American culture today. John Hill (Sirius XM’s Andy Cohen Live and The News With John Hill) joins Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott to cover Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement and the drama happening over at Cracker Barrel. It's a high-low culture clash for the ages you won't want to miss! Follow John Hill: https://www.instagram.com/johnarthurhill Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.newsweek.com/newsletter/the-culture/ Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott Subscribe to Newsweek’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/newsweek See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Grace Van Patten has one word to describe having the opportunity to portray Amanda Knox in Hulu’s The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox—grateful. “I was really, really grateful to be a part of something that was giving Amanda a chance to reclaim her story,” she told Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott. To capture Knox’s mindset, Van Patten leaned into the confusion of the case itself. “Playing the confusion was truthful. I was so confused by what happened when I was learning about it that it was very easy to be present in those moments.” The role also showed her the impact of public perception. “I learned a lot about how easy it is for women, but all people, to be so easily scrutinized and villainized in the press.” Partly because there’s money in the shock value. “It sells. It’s so much about money. And we’re all guilty of buying into it because it’s enticing, and it’s in big font. It taught me a lot to work harder on not buying into that type of thing.” Ultimately, she is eager to see if the series can shift long-held beliefs. “I’m really curious to see if it does change their opinion at the end of it.” You can watch the full chat at https://www.newsweek.com/2025/09/12/grace-van-patten-reclaiming-amanda-knoxs-true-story-hulu-2119585.html Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.newsweek.com/newsletter/the-culture/ Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott Subscribe to Newsweek’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/newsweek See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Louis Vuitton dropped its new makeup line, and the prices are... INSANE! (Who is buying this stuff?!) Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott brings in beauty influencer (and friend of the pod) Kackie to help decide if it's iconic or just a cash grab. (Spoiler alert: It’s a cash grab.) PLUS, we're sounding off on the Muppets coming to Broadway, Kesha's omnisexual announcement, Jennifer Lopez's stunning Kiss of the Spider Woman trailer, and Chris Pratt's very political in-laws. Don't miss this week's End Credits! Follow Kackie: https://www.youtube.com/@kackie Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.newsweek.com/newsletter/the-culture/ Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott Subscribe to Newsweek’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/newsweek See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

He's an Emmy nominee, a Broadway star, and an absolute delight. The one and only Michael Urie stopped by the Newsweek office in New York for a live chat with H. Alan Scott to discuss it all! Hear him talk about his nomination for Shrinking, what it's like having Harrison Ford in his phone, his current stage hit Oh, Mary!, and whether he thinks we'll ever see Marc St. James again in an Ugly Betty reboot. It’s a fast-paced, funny, and fan-fueled conversation! Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.newsweek.com/newsletter/the-culture/ Follow me at @HAlanScott: https://linktr.ee/halanscott Subscribe to Newsweek’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/newsweek Visit Newsweek.com for more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Director Jay Roach (Austin Powers, Bombshell) joins Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott for a can't-miss conversation about his new film, 'The Roses.' He shares what it was  like directing Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman. "You could just have the cameras be in the right place and trust the great script,” Roach says about their talent. From iconic comedies to searing dramas, we touch on the full scope of his incredible career.  Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.newsweek.com/newsletter/the-culture/ Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott Subscribe to Newsweek’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/newsweek See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“We had wanted to work together for a long time,” Benedict Cumberbatch tells Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott, reflecting on the project that finally united him with Olivia Colman. The new film adaptation of Warren Adler’s 1981 novel The War of the Roses was also made into a hit 1989 film starring Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Danny DeVito. “It takes nothing away from the original film,” Colman says. “Ours is with a sort of respectful nod to it and has taken it in a slightly different direction.” Cumberbatch and Colman chatted with Newsweek about the new film, their pairing, and the comedic geniuses on set they were in awe of. This chat was witty and chaotic and delightful. It’s presented to you in full, unedited. You’re welcome.  Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.newsweek.com/newsletter/the-culture/ Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott Subscribe to Newsweek’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/newsweek See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

He’s the friend we all wish we had as Joel on HBO's Somebody Somewhere, and now he's an Emmy nominee! The wonderful Jeff Hiller joins Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott to talk about his shocking—and richly deserved—nomination. We discuss his new book, Actress of a Certain Age: My Twenty Year Trail to Overnight Success, a hilarious and honest look at his 20-year journey to this career-defining moment. Don't miss this LOL-filled giggle fest. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.newsweek.com/newsletter/the-culture/ Follow me at @HAlanScott: https://linktr.ee/halanscott Subscribe to Newsweek’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/newsweek Visit Newsweek.com for more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.