Simon Cowell on Regrets, Fame and Fatherhood

One of the most influential figures in British television, Simon Cowell joins Richard and Marina to discuss his new Netflix talent competition - The Next Act. In a tense exchange, they discuss X-Factor, duty of care, becoming a TV villain, and Bernard Cribbins telling him to piss off. Whether you’re hosting or guesting this Christmas, you need the UK’s best mobile network and broadband technology, only from EE. Join The Rest Is Entertainment Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus content, ad-free listening, early access to Q&A episodes, access to our newsletter archive, discounted book prices with our partners at Coles Books, early ticket access to live events, and access to our chat community. Sign up directly at therestisentertainment.com For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Video Editor: Joey McCarthy Assistant Producer: Imee Marriott Senior Producer: Joey McCarthy Social Producer: Bex Tyrrell Exec Producer: Neil Fearn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What is the cattiest Hollywood interview of all time? Should we ignore 'notorious a-hole' Quentin Tarantino? Is Richard Osman a Marxist? Disney has signed a highly controversial deal with Open AI, licensing over 200 of their most iconic characters to be remixed by the video creation software Sora2. Will this open the floodgates for all media companies to give-in to Sam Altman? Or is this naivety from the Mouse? Marina Hyde says there should be more beef between Hollywood actors, what are the greatest 'drive-bys' by stars in recent years? Note: This episode was recorded before news of Rob and Michele Reiner's death was made public. Recommendations: The Reverse-Centaur’s Guide to Criticising AI: Cory Doctorow (Article) Bronson Pinchot Interview in AV Club (Article) Celebrity Race Across The World (iPlayer) Join The Rest Is Entertainment Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus content, ad-free listening, early access to Q&A episodes, access to our newsletter archive, discounted book prices with our partners at Coles Books, early ticket access to live events, and access to our chat community. Sign up directly at therestisentertainment.com For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Video Editor: Adam Thornton & Joey McCarthy Assistant Producer: Imee Marriott Senior Producer: Joey McCarthy Social Producer: Bex Tyrrell Exec Producer: Neil Fearn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do toy companies prepare sets before a film or TV show is even released? What was Tom Daly’s “Game of Wool” nearly called? Why has Apple TV's 'The Hunt' been pulled from the streaming giant? Richard Osman and Marina Hyde answer your questions, covering bad puns, plagiarism, and Lego sets. The Rest Is Entertainment Live: General sale open now. Find out more at southbankcentre.co.uk Whether you’re hosting or guesting this Christmas, you need the UK’s best mobile network and broadband technology, only from EE. Shop Tesco food this Christmas, either in-store or online. Join The Rest Is Entertainment Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus content, ad-free listening, early access to Q&A episodes, access to our newsletter archive, discounted book prices with our partners at Coles Books, early ticket access to live events, and access to our chat community. Sign up directly at therestisentertainment.com For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Video Editor: Imee Marriott Assistant Producer: Imee Marriott Senior Producer: Joey McCarthy Social Producer: Bex Tyrrell Exec Producer: Neil Fearn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why has Netflix made the decision to buy Warner Bros. for an eye watering $72bn? Will Trump approve the deal? Is this the end of cinema for good? Netflix are planning to pay over $70 billion to buy the film, TV and streaming business of Warner Bros. - One of Hollywood's oldest studios. What does this mean for the future of streaming, cinemas, and all of us watching at home? In a special episode, focused solely on the deal, we answer all of this and more - plus answer why Marina was the only person to correctly predict the deal? The Rest Is Entertainment Live: General sale open on Thursday 11th December at 10am. Find out more at southbankcentre.co.uk Whether you’re hosting or guesting this Christmas, you need the UK’s best mobile network and broadband technology, only from EE. Join The Rest Is Entertainment Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus content, ad-free listening, early access to Q&A episodes, access to our newsletter archive, discounted book prices with our partners at Coles Books, early ticket access to live events, and access to our chat community. Sign up directly at therestisentertainment.com For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Video Editor: Charlie Rodwell and James Clayden Assistant Producer: Imee Marriott Senior Producer: Joey McCarthy Social Producer: Bex Tyrrell Exec Producer: Neil Fearn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why do politicians choose to humiliate themselves on Have I Got News for You? What made Boris Johnson so good at the show? Could Richard make more money by offering product placement in The Thursday Murder Club? Richard Osman and Marina Hyde answer your questions, covering political panel shows, the best on-screen animals and branding in books. Whether you’re hosting or guesting this Christmas, you need the UK’s best mobile network and broadband technology, only from EE. Join The Rest Is Entertainment Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus content, ad-free listening, early access to Q&A episodes, access to our newsletter archive, discounted book prices with our partners at Coles Books, early ticket access to live events, and access to our chat community. Sign up directly at therestisentertainment.com For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Video Editor: Max Archer Assistant Producer: Imee Marriott Senior Producer: Joey McCarthy Social Producer: Bex Tyrell Exec Producer: Neil Fearn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rush Hour 4 is set to finally go into production, is this thanks to Trump? With Stranger Things concluding, what's next for Netflix? And how did thre late Tom Stoppard conquer the playwriting world? Richard Osman and Marina Hyde discuss why Donald Trump has put his weight behind Rush Hour 4, what it could mean for Hollywood’s political independence.A teen ensemble, retro science-fiction and a guaranteed subscription banker - Stranger Things is a jewel in Netflix’s crown, but what happens now the show is about to ended? And what will the shows creators the Duffer brothers do next?Legendary British playwright Tom Stoppard has passed away. Marina and Richard pay tribute to a man who the best of the best looked up to and fought to work with.Recommendations:Marina and Richard: The Collected Works of Tom Stoppard (Plays)Whether you’re hosting or guesting this Christmas, you need the UK’s best mobile network and broadband technology, only from EE.Join The Rest Is Entertainment Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus content, ad-free listening, early access to Q&A episodes, access to our newsletter archive, discounted book prices with our partners at Coles Books, early ticket access to live events, and access to our chat community. Sign up directly at therestisentertainment.comFor more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.comVideo Editor: Charlie Rodwell + Max ArcherAssistant Producer: Imee MarriottSenior Producer: Joey McCarthySocial Producer: Bex TyrrellExec Producer: Neil Fearn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What are the biggest ever comebacks in entertainment history? From the golden age of Hollywood to musical resurrections, Richard and Marina chart the best ever comeback stories. Is your door in the draw? Sign up by midnight 30th November at https://postcodelottery.co.uk. People’s Postcode Lottery manages lotteries on behalf of good causes, 18 plus, conditions apply, play responsibly, not available in Northern Ireland. Join The Rest Is Entertainment Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus content, ad-free listening, early access to Q&A episodes, access to our newsletter archive, discounted book prices with our partners at Coles Books, early ticket access to live events, and access to our chat community. Sign up directly at therestisentertainment.com For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Video Editor: Sean Thorne Assistant Producer: Imee Marriott Senior Producer: Joey McCarthy Social Producer: Bex Tyrrell Exec Producer: Neil Fearn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Forget what you think you know about reality. The Rest Is Science is a mind-bending new show from Goalhanger that tears down familiar ideas… time, randomness, beauty, it will reveal just how bizarre the world truly is. Join Professor Hannah Fry and science creator Michael Stevens (aka Vsauce) twice a week to explore big, small and surprising questions as they deep dive into theories, concepts, objects and thoughts and take us on a journey into the unexpected. If you love digging into details that usually get skipped over, this is the show that proves reality is stranger than fiction. Click here to subscribe to The Rest Is Science. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How has Wicked 2 performed box office magic in such a difficult year for Hollywood's blockbusters? Who won the war for the greatest Christmas ad on British telly? Has Rosalía just penned the best pop album of the decade? Richard Osman and Marina Hyde ask if Wicked: For Good has finally managed to release the curse placed on 2025 box office figures. Drugs, data and dating Joe Wilkinson - who has released the best Christmas advert this year, and do audiences care if they're created with AI? Recommendations: Marina: Anatomy Of A Cancellation: BBC Sounds (Podcast) Richard: What We Can Know - Ian McEwan (Book) Join The Rest Is Entertainment Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus content, ad-free listening, early access to Q&A episodes, access to our newsletter archive, discounted book prices with our partners at Coles Books, early ticket access to live events, and access to our chat community. Sign up directly at therestisentertainment.com The Rest Is Entertainment is proudly presented by Sky. Sky is home to award-winning shows such as The White Lotus, Gangs of London and The Last of Us. Requires relevant Sky TV and third party subscription(s). Broadband recommended min speed: 30 mbps. 18+. UK, CI, IoM only. To find out more and for full terms and conditions please visit Sky.com For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Video Editor: Joey McCarthy + Charlie Rodwell Assistant Producer: Imee Marriott Senior Producer: Joey McCarthy Social Producer: Bex Tyrell Exec Producer: Neil Fearn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kate Phillips is one of the most important people in British entertainment. As Chief Content Officer at the BBC, she’s been at the heart of the institution’s creative output for over a decade and she’s responsible for many of the BBC’s most beloved shows, including Strictly Come Dancing, The Traitors and Gladiators. Richard Osman and Marina Hyde interview Kate about Tim Davie, the Celebrity Traitors, and the future of Strictly.Join The Rest Is Entertainment Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus content, ad-free listening, early access to Q&A episodes, access to our newsletter archive, discounted book prices with our partners at Coles Books, early ticket access to live events, and access to our chat community. Sign up directly at therestisentertainment.com The Rest Is Entertainment is proudly presented by Sky. Sky is home to award-winning shows such as The White Lotus, Gangs of London and The Last of Us. Requires relevant Sky TV and third party subscription(s). Broadband recommended min speed: 30 mbps. 18+. UK, CI, IoM only. To find out more and for full terms and conditions please visit Sky.comFor more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.comVideo Editor: Charlie Rodwell + Adam ThorntonAssistant Producer: Imee MarriottSenior Producer: Joey McCarthySocial Producer: Bex TyrellExec Producer: Neil Fearn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices