Willie Geist And The Art Of The Interview

Willie Geist Summary

This fourth episode sees me getting in a groove with my podcast. I asked Willie Geist, who has interviewed me for TODAY’s pop culture segments for the last 3 years, to come on the podcast and he said yes.

The interview was actually supposed to happen 2 weeks ago, but the Olympics kicked in and we thought it better to push it to this weekend when his new SUNDAY TODAY show was back on the air. The interview went fantastic just like I thought it would. Willie reminds me a bit of the gentleman anchors of yesteryear who gave media its stature. Think Sydney Lumet’s NETWORK and the cachet that dripped even off of the junior producers.

We discussed a wide array of subjects from the art of interviewing people, the problem of soccer in America, how and when he became enamored with hip-hop and the show, and how he was approached to do the new SUNDAY TODAY show, amongst other subjects. (1:05)

Highly Relevant Podcast Episode Summary

Also on the show, I did an audio homage to Juan Gabriel and Gene Wilder together… that’s right, together. You see, this is the perfect example of exactly what the podcast is about – the fusion of American and Latino culture. These two icons mean something to both my cultures and to celebrate them simultaneously is the beauty of being bicultural, feel me? The tribute is done with respect and class. I think you’ll enjoy it. (23:46)

I chatted with Richard Tanne, a first-time director, who helmed and wrote Southside With You, Obama’s first date movie. Tanne is eloquent, smart, passionate, and enjoyable to converse with. He gave me a lot of insight and processes into movie making. (26:30)

And of course, I had to do a movie segment so I did a Fall Movie Preview with Wilson Morales, the EIC of Blackfilm.com, and someone I have spent hours on the phone debunking movies and the politics of the movie industry. Here we both share our top 5 must-see fall movies, plus I give a quick recap on the rest of the films receiving major attention and seeking an Oscar push. (43:40)

Would you like to get in touch with us? Email us at highlyrelevant@showbizcafe.com and help us spread the word on social media:

Twitter
Facebook
Instagram

If you enjoyed this episode head on over to iTunes and kindly leave us a rating, and a review, and please subscribe!

Ways to subscribe to Highly Relevant with Jack Rico:
Click here to subscribe via iTunes
Click here to subscribe via Spotify