Bill Morrison on THE SIMPSONS, THE BEATLES, MAD MAGAZINE, and FUTURAMA

Hey everyone, welcome back to The Following Films Podcast, where we dive into the art, craft, and passion behind the movies — and everything that inspires them. I’m your host, Chris Maynard, and today I’m bringing you an interview recorded at this year's Tucson Comic Book Convention.My guest today is a true legend in the world of comic art — Bill Morrison. You might know Bill as the co-founder of Bongo Comics, the longtime home of The Simpsons and Futurama in print. He’s also worked as an illustrator for Disney classics, served as Executive Editor for MAD Magazine, and created his own acclaimed series like Roswell: Little Green Man and Dead Vengeance.In our conversation, Bill shares stories from his journey through animation, comics, and publishing — from working alongside Matt Groening to reimagining The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine as a graphic novel. We also discuss the evolution of humor, satire, and storytelling in an era when pop culture is more self-aware than ever.Today’s episode of the Following Films Podcast is brought to you by Google Workspace. We keep things running smoothly and efficiently at Following Films with the convenience of cloud-based Google Workspace programs. You should try it and see how it can benefit your business as well. If you sign up using my link, I can give you a discount, and it helps to support the show https://referworkspace.app.goo.gl/G6uFEnjoy the show

Thank you for listening to the Following Films Podcast. Today I’m joined by Steven Feinartz, director of the new documentary film ARE WE GOODThe film is an intimate portrait of comedian and podcast pioneer Marc Maron, following the sudden loss of his partner and filmmaker Lynn Shelton. Maron struggles with grief, disillusionment, and a shifting comedy landscape. The film features interviews with comics including Nate Bargatze, John Mulaney, David Cross, W. Kamau Bell, and Laurie Kilmartin. As well as WTF podcast footage from his interviews with President Barack Obama, Andrew Garfield, Patton Oswalt and many more.Today’s episode of the Following Films Podcast is brought to you by Google Workspace. We keep things running smoothly and efficiently at Following Films with the convenience of cloud-based Google Workspace programs. You should try it and see how it can benefit your business as well. If you sign up using my link, I can give you a discount, and it helps to support the show https://referworkspace.app.goo.gl/G6uFCheck the show notes for a direct link.The film is in theaters in NY & LA on October 3rd, with nationwide theatrical events on October 5th & 8t! for showtimes go to https://www.arewegoodmaron.com/

Thank you for listening to the Following Films Podcast. Today I’m joined by Everett Blunck, star of the new film GRIFFIN IN SUMMERIn the same vein as the Sundance hit Theater Camp, GRIFFIN IN SUMMER revolves around Griffin Nafly, played by breakout star Everett Blunck, who is the most ambitious playwright of his generation. He's also fourteen years old, still living with his exhausted mother in the bland suburb of Borwood, and desperately attempting to self-produce his new divorce drama Regrets of Autumn, starring his unenthusiastic friends. But when Griffin forms a surprise summer friendship with handsome twenty-five-year-old failed performance artist turned handyman Brad, played by Owen Teague, his life (and play) will never be the same. The festival darling is written & directed by Nicholas Colia, making his impressive feature film debut, and stars young break-out Everett Blunck as well as Owen Teague (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes), Melanie Lynskey (“Yellowjackets”), Abby Ryder Fortson (Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.) and Kathryn Newton (Lisa Frankenstein)Today’s episode of the Following Films Podcast is brought to you by Google Workspace. We keep things running smoothly and efficiently at Following Films with the convenience of cloud-based Google Workspace programs. You should try it and see how it can benefit your business as well. If you sign up using my link, I can give you a discount, and it helps to support the show https://referworkspace.app.goo.gl/G6uFCheck the show notes for a direct link.GRIFFIN IN SUMMER is now available on VOD. Now on to my conversation with Everett, I hope you enjoy the show

Thank you for listening to the Following Films Podcast. Today I’m joined by Waltzing with Brando Cinematographer Garrett O’BrienWaltzing with Brando follows Hollywood legend Marlon Brando (Billy Zane) at the height of his fame as he dreams of leaving Hollywood behind to create the world’s first sustainable ecological retreat on a remote Tahitian island. To bring his vision to life, he enlists Bernard Judge (Jon Heder), an idealistic Los Angeles architect, in an against-the-odds effort to transform Tetiaroa, a challenging twelve-island atoll, into an environmentally conscious retreat.Today’s episode of the Following Films Podcast is brought to you by Google Workspace. We keep things running smoothly and efficiently at Following Films with the convenience of cloud-based Google Workspace programs. Google Docs lets you work and save on Google Drive, Hangouts lets you video chat, Gmail gives you a professional email, and Calendar lets you organise – from anywhere, at any time. You should try it and see how it can help your business, too. Google Workspace is offering a 14-day trial. If you sign up using my link, I can give you a discount, and it helps to support the show. Go to  https://referworkspace.app.goo.gl/G6uFCheck the show notes for a direct link.Waltzing with Brando is now playing in theatres everywhere. Now on to my conversation with Garrett, I hope you enjoy the show

Thank you for listening to the Following Films Podcast. Today, we’re diving into a film that’s as much about cinema history as it is about the raw, unsettling power of horror. Fifty years after Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre shocked the world and permanently altered the landscape of filmmaking, a new documentary is taking a hard, fascinating look at its legacy.It’s called Chain Reactions—winner of the Venice Classics Award for Best Documentary on Cinema and an official selection at festivals like Telluride, Sitges, and BFI London. The film brings together voices like Patton Oswalt, Takashi Miike, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Stephen King, and Karyn Kusama, weaving their personal impressions, memories, and even traumas into a dialogue about how one scrappy, no-budget horror film embedded itself into our collective nightmares—and never left.The documentary is written and directed by Alexandre O. Philippe, a filmmaker who has carved out his own space as the leading voice in what he calls “cinema essays.” From 78/52 to Memory: The Origins of Alien to Lynch/Oz, Philippe has built a career exploring not just movies, but the cultural and artistic forces behind them. With Chain Reactions, he once again peels back the layers of a cinematic landmark.Today’s episode of the Following Films Podcast is brought to you by Google Workspace. We keep things running smoothly and efficiently at Following Films with the convenience of cloud-based Google Workspace programs. Google Docs lets you work and save on Google Drive, Hangouts lets you video chat, Gmail gives you a professional email, and Calendar lets you organise – from anywhere, at any time. You should try it and see how it can help your business, too. Google Workspace is offering a 14-day trial. If you sign up using my link, I can give you a discount, and it helps to support the show Go to https://referworkspace.app.goo.gl/G6uFChain Reactions in now playing in New York and Los Angeles and will expand nationwide on 9/26. Now on to my conversation with Alexandre O. Philippe— I hope you enjoy the show

In TRAUMATIKA, a young boy’s night terrors become reality when his mother begins showing signs of demonic possession. What he’s about to experience will haunt him for the rest of his life and claim countless lives across generations. Today I’m joined by the co-writers and director of TRAUMATIKA, Pierre Tsigaridis and Maxime RançonToday’s episode of the Following Films Podcast is brought to you by Google Workspace. We keep things running smoothly and efficiently at Following Films with the convenience of cloud-based Google Workspace programs. Google Docs lets you work and save on Google Drive, Hangouts lets you video chat, Gmail gives you a professional email, and Calendar lets you organise – from anywhere, at any time. You should try it and see how it can help your business, too. Google Workspace is offering a 14-day trial. If you sign up using my link, I can give you a discount, and it helps to support the show Go to https://referworkspace.app.goo.gl/G6ufNow on to my conversation with Pierre and Maxime — I hope you enjoy the show

Thank you for listening to the Following Films Podcast. As the world continues celebrating the 75th anniversary of Peanuts®, Lee Mendelson Film Productions has given fans a treasure: the first-ever release of Vince Guaraldi’s complete soundtrack to You’re a Good Sport, Charlie Brown. Following the sell-out success of the premiere Zoetrope LP, demand has been so overwhelming that a second pressing is already on the way—along with an Eco-Black vinyl edition arriving September 12, 2025.At the heart of this historic project is producer Sean Mendelson, who—along with his brother Jason—has worked tirelessly to bring Guaraldi’s timeless jazz back to life in pristine form. With restored and remastered recordings, expanded liner notes, and an eco-conscious approach to vinyl production, this release isn’t just about preserving a classic soundtrack—it’s about honoring a legacy.Today, we sit down with Sean Mendelson to talk about the Eco-Black Vinyl release, Guaraldi’s genius, and what it means to carry forward his father Lee Mendelson’s enduring Peanuts legacy.Today’s episode of the Following Films Podcast is brought to you by Google Workspace. We keep things running smoothly and efficiently at Following Films with the convenience of cloud-based Google Workspace programs. Google Docs lets you work and save on Google Drive, Hangouts lets you video chat, Gmail gives you a professional email, and Calendar lets you organise – from anywhere, at any time. You should try it and see how it can help your business, too. Google Workspace is offering a 14-day trial. If you sign up using my link, I can give you a discount, and it helps to support the show Go to  https://referworkspace.app.goo.gl/G6uF

Today I’m joined by legendary actor Erik Estrada to discuss the time he pulled a knife on Pat Boone, his work on Tony Hawks: Destroying America, and his work on the Amazon hit series Fallout. This interview was recorded at the Tucson Comic-Con. Today’s episode of the Following Films Podcast is brought to you by Google Workspace. We keep things running smoothly and efficiently at Following Films with the convenience of cloud-based Google Workspace programs. Google Docs lets you work and save on Google Drive, Hangouts lets you video chat, Gmail gives you a professional email, and Calendar lets you organise – from anywhere, at any time. You should try it and see how it can help your business, too. Google Workspace is offering a 14-day trial. If you sign up using my link, I can give you a discount, and it helps to support the show Go to https://referworkspace.app.goo.gl/G6uFNow on to my conversation with Erik —big thanks to the folks at Tucson Comic-Con for setting up this interview. I hope you enjoy the show

Thank you for listening to the Following Films Podcast. Today I’m joined by Nicholas Colia to discuss GRIFFIN IN SUMMERGriffin Nafly (Everett Blunck) is the most ambitious playwright of his generation. He's also fourteen years old and living with his parents in a humdrum suburb while dreaming of moving to New York City. When his mom (Melanie Lynskey) hires a handsome 25-year-old handyman (Owen Teague), Griffin's life and his new play take an inspired turn. Also starring Kathryn Newton and Abby Ryder Fortson.Today’s episode of the Following Films Podcast is brought to you by Universal Pictures How to Train Your Dragon. The film is currently available on digital, DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K UHD. If you would like to win a free copy of the 4K disc, just send an email with your mailing address to [email protected] with the subject line “I can train your dragon.” Winners will be selected at random and receive notification by 8/31.Now on to my conversation with Nicholas, GRIFFIN IN SUMMER will be in theaters FridayAugust 29th, I hope you enjoy the show

Thank you for listening to the Following Films Podcast. Today I’m joined by Erik Messerschmidt to discuss his Emmy-nominated work on Bono: Stories of SurrenderBono: Stories of Surrender is a vivid reimagining of Bono’s critically acclaimed one-man stage show, “Stories of Surrender: An Evening of Words, Music and Some Mischief…” As he pulls back the curtain on a remarkable life and the family, friends, and faith that have challenged and sustained him, he also reveals personal stories about his journey as a son, father, husband, activist, and rock star. Along with never-before-seen, exclusive footage from the tour, the film features Bono performing many of the iconic U2  songs that have shaped his life and legacy.Today’s episode of the Following Films Podcast is brought to you by Universal Pictures How to Train Your Dragon. The film is currently available on digital, DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K UHD. If you would like to win a free copy of the 4K disc, just send an email with your mailing address to [email protected] with the subject line “I can train your dragon.” Winners will be selected at random and receive notification by 8/31.If you’re in the Tucson area—or planning a trip to Southern Arizona at the end of August—come join me at this year’s Tucson Comic-Con! I’ll be moderating a panel with Mike Jaret and Tad Sallee to talk about their work on Going Postal: The Legacy Foretold. We’ll have a film screening, a Q&A with the filmmakers, and some fun giveaways. I’m really excited for this one—catch us Friday, August 29th at 3:00 PM in Panel Room 105! You can purchase tickets for the event https://tucsoncomic-con.com/Now on to my conversation with Erik, Bono: Stories of Surrender is currently streaming on Apple TV+.,  I hope you enjoy the show