Digest

The podcast begins with a lighthearted conversation about the hot weather, setting a casual and friendly tone. The hosts welcome back listeners to The Commercial Break and announce it's Infomercial Day, introducing a special guest. They introduce Gina Gershon, a renowned actress, as their guest for the episode. They express their admiration for her work and highlight her diverse filmography. The conversation shifts to Gina's latest film, Borderlands, a video game adaptation. She discusses her experience filming during lockdown, the unique cast, and her character Moxie. The hosts delve into Gina's early career, specifically her role in Pretty in Pink. She shares anecdotes about her early acting experiences and her journey to becoming a professional actress. Gina discusses working with John Hughes on Pretty in Pink and her experience filming Cocktail with Tom Cruise. She reveals a surprising twist about her character's relationship in the film. Gina talks about her lifelong passion for acting, her family's influence, and her decision to pursue a college education before fully committing to acting. Gina reflects on her personal growth, her desire to expand her knowledge, and the influence of her uncle's circle of friends on her intellectual development. The hosts discuss Gina's captivating presence on screen and her role as Donatella Versace in a Lifetime movie. She shares her perspective on playing the character and her respect for Donatella. Gina discusses her preference for complex characters and her fascination with exploring the psychology and motivations behind them. She also touches on her approach to comedy. Gina shares her experience working with David Mamet, a renowned playwright and director, and the valuable advice he gave her about directing herself. Gina emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself as an artist, even when facing pressure to take on commercially viable projects. She discusses the balance between artistic integrity and financial realities. The conversation turns to Gina's iconic role in Showgirls, a film that has gained cult classic status. She shares her perspective on the film's reception and its portrayal of the American dream. The hosts discuss Bound, a film that Gina considers a true classic. She shares her experience working with the Wachowskis, the directors of The Matrix, and the film's groundbreaking portrayal of a female hero. Gina discusses the roles she is most recognized for, including Showgirls, Bound, Pray for Rock and Roll, and Face/Off. She also talks about the re-release of Pray for Rock and Roll, a film she helped produce and perform in. Gina shares information about her current projects, including a Ryan Murphy show and a British production called The Hermit. The hosts express their gratitude for her time and the insightful conversation. The hosts reflect on their interview with Gina Gershon, praising her as a sweet and intelligent human being. They highlight her decision to prioritize education and her work with David Mamet. The hosts wrap up the episode, thanking listeners for tuning in and providing contact information for the podcast. They encourage listeners to follow them on social media and visit their website.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction and Infomercial Day

The podcast begins with a lighthearted conversation about the hot weather, setting a casual and friendly tone. The hosts welcome back listeners to The Commercial Break and announce it's Infomercial Day, introducing a special guest.

00:09:48

Gina Gershon Interview - Introduction and Borderlands

The hosts introduce Gina Gershon, a renowned actress, as their guest for the episode. They express their admiration for her work and highlight her diverse filmography. The conversation shifts to Gina's latest film, Borderlands, a video game adaptation. She discusses her experience filming during lockdown, the unique cast, and her character Moxie.

00:13:31

Gina Gershon Interview - Early Career and John Hughes

The hosts delve into Gina's early career, specifically her role in Pretty in Pink. She shares anecdotes about her early acting experiences and her journey to becoming a professional actress. Gina discusses working with John Hughes on Pretty in Pink and her experience filming Cocktail with Tom Cruise. She reveals a surprising twist about her character's relationship in the film.

00:17:10

Gina Gershon Interview - Acting Passion and Personal Growth

Gina talks about her lifelong passion for acting, her family's influence, and her decision to pursue a college education before fully committing to acting. Gina reflects on her personal growth, her desire to expand her knowledge, and the influence of her uncle's circle of friends on her intellectual development.

00:22:29

Gina Gershon Interview - Captivating Presence and Role Preferences

The hosts discuss Gina's captivating presence on screen and her role as Donatella Versace in a Lifetime movie. She shares her perspective on playing the character and her respect for Donatella. Gina discusses her preference for complex characters and her fascination with exploring the psychology and motivations behind them. She also touches on her approach to comedy.

00:27:23

Gina Gershon Interview - David Mamet and Staying True to Yourself

Gina shares her experience working with David Mamet, a renowned playwright and director, and the valuable advice he gave her about directing herself. Gina emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself as an artist, even when facing pressure to take on commercially viable projects. She discusses the balance between artistic integrity and financial realities.

00:33:11

Gina Gershon Interview - Showgirls and Bound

The conversation turns to Gina's iconic role in Showgirls, a film that has gained cult classic status. She shares her perspective on the film's reception and its portrayal of the American dream. The hosts discuss Bound, a film that Gina considers a true classic. She shares her experience working with the Wachowskis, the directors of The Matrix, and the film's groundbreaking portrayal of a female hero.

00:42:35

Gina Gershon Interview - Most Recognized Roles and Current Projects

Gina discusses the roles she is most recognized for, including Showgirls, Bound, Pray for Rock and Roll, and Face/Off. She also talks about the re-release of Pray for Rock and Roll, a film she helped produce and perform in. Gina shares information about her current projects, including a Ryan Murphy show and a British production called The Hermit.

00:48:26

Post-Interview Reflections and Outro

The hosts reflect on their interview with Gina Gershon, praising her as a sweet and intelligent human being. They highlight her decision to prioritize education and her work with David Mamet. The hosts wrap up the episode, thanking listeners for tuning in and providing contact information for the podcast. They encourage listeners to follow them on social media and visit their website.

Keywords

Q&A

• What was Gina Gershon's experience filming Borderlands during lockdown?

  Gina found it thrilling to be locked down in Budapest with a talented cast, escaping into a different world while dealing with the real-world pandemic.

• What advice did David Mamet give Gina about directing herself?

  Mamet advised Gina to learn how to direct herself, as she would likely encounter directors who weren't fully invested in her performance.

• How does Gina balance artistic integrity with the need to take on commercially viable projects?

  Gina acknowledges that sometimes she has to take on projects for financial reasons, but she always strives to do her best and find a balance between artistic fulfillment and practical realities.

• What is Gina's perspective on the cult classic status of Showgirls?

  Gina initially had a negative reaction to the film's reception, but with time and perspective, she now sees it as a campy portrait of the American dream and its darker undercurrents.

• What is Gina's most recognized role, and why?

  Gina is often recognized for her roles in Showgirls, Bound, Pray for Rock and Roll, and Face/Off, depending on the audience's demographics and their familiarity with her work.

Show Notes