End Credits: Michael Strassner on Creating the Indie Comedy ‘The Baltimorons’

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.

“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.