The Importance of Being Earnest
Oscar Wilde
Mentioned 1 week ago
"Olivia Wilde"
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SmartLess
"SmartLess" with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, & Will Arnett is a podcast that connects and unites people from all walks of life to learn about shared experiences through thoughtful dialogue and organic hilarity. A nice surprise: in each episode of SmartLess, one of the hosts reveals his mystery guest...
Episodes
442
Books
216
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Most Recommended
The Magicians
A Novel
This book series was recommended as a good fantasy read, described as a darker, adult version of Narnia.
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Have you ever read a book series called The Magicians? It's like this like grown up dark Narnia version of Narnia.
— Episode: "Margot Robbie"
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Episode: "Margot Robbie"
This book series was recommended as a good fantasy read, described as a darker, adult version of Narnia.
"
Have you ever read a book series called The Magicians? It's like this like grown up dark Narnia version of Narnia.
When the Going Was Good
An Editor's Adventures During the Last Golden Age of Magazines
Graydon Carter promoted his newly released memoir, reflecting on the cultural golden era of the 1980s1990s and contrasting it with today's digital age.
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Your new book, Graydon, is When the Going Was Good, which is out now.
— Episode: "Graydon Carter"
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Episode: "Graydon Carter"
Graydon Carter promoted his newly released memoir, reflecting on the cultural golden era of the 1980s1990s and contrasting it with today's digital age.
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Your new book, Graydon, is When the Going Was Good, which is out now.
He's got a new book coming out called When the Going Was Good, Guys.
If you look back at the 80s, 90s and aughts ... it was a great time in America ... there were no cell phones or social media; it was a much more natural, organic time.
You're clearly not talking about yourself. Because things continue to have a nice arc forward.
I think young people will come to love magazines the way they love vinyl; there will be specialty magazines, big expensive perfectbound ones that get scooped up by young readers.
The Silver Linings Playbook
A Novel
Silver Linings Playbook was mentioned in the context of award season timing, indicating its relevance to the discussion of Jennifer Lawrence's career milestones.
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It was announced at the same... award season for Silver Linings Playbook.
— Episode: "Jennifer Lawrence"
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Episode: "Jennifer Lawrence"
Silver Linings Playbook was mentioned in the context of award season timing, indicating its relevance to the discussion of Jennifer Lawrence's career milestones.
"
It was announced at the same... award season for Silver Linings Playbook.
Dangerous Liaisons (Signature Editions)
The hosts recalled that Michelle Pfeiffer had worked on the project Dangerous Liaisons, noting it among her notable film roles.
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Like, Michelle, like when you were making, like, let's say, like 88, it was 88, you made Dangerous Liaisons, or, and you're ...
— Episode: "Michelle Pfeiffer"
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Episode: "Michelle Pfeiffer"
The hosts recalled that Michelle Pfeiffer had worked on the project Dangerous Liaisons, noting it among her notable film roles.
"
Like, Michelle, like when you were making, like, let's say, like 88, it was 88, you made Dangerous Liaisons, or, and you're ...
The Wild Robot (Volume 1)
Mark praised the picture book as a NewYorkTimes bestseller that won multiple awards and highlighted its charming illustrations and uplifting message of tolerance.
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Look, I read the book. This book by Peter Brown, there's a reason it was the number one bestseller in the New York Times and won all these awards. It is so perfect that I thought, please don't mess th...
— Episode: "Mark Hamill"
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Episode: "Mark Hamill"
Mark praised the picture book as a NewYorkTimes bestseller that won multiple awards and highlighted its charming illustrations and uplifting message of tolerance.
"
Look, I read the book. This book by Peter Brown, there's a reason it was the number one bestseller in the New York Times and won all these awards. It is so perfect that I thought, please don't mess this up. If they can capture even 20% of the charm of this book, we're on a winner.
Rogue Male
The hosts described it as one of their favorite books, noting it was written in 1939 and is the original fugitive novel that inspired Ian Fleming's Bond series.
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One of my favorite books of all time... Rogue Male written in 1939... it's the original fugitive novel and a huge inspiration for Ian Fleming for Bond.
— Episode: "Benedict Cumberbatch"
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Episode: "Benedict Cumberbatch"
The hosts described it as one of their favorite books, noting it was written in 1939 and is the original fugitive novel that inspired Ian Fleming's Bond series.
"
One of my favorite books of all time... Rogue Male written in 1939... it's the original fugitive novel and a huge inspiration for Ian Fleming for Bond.
Rogue Male is the original fugitive novel.
It's a game changer of a novel, the original, and it's so prescient to what's going on in our times.
Grief Is the Thing with Feathers
A Novel
The episode mentioned the novella as the source material for a new film project, noting it was a misquote of an Emily Dickinson line and praising its inventive exploration of male grief.
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It's based on an amazing novella called Grief Is the Thing with Feathers which is a misquote of the famous Emily Dickinson line love is the thing with feathers by Max Porter.
— Episode: "Benedict Cumberbatch"
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Episode: "Benedict Cumberbatch"
The episode mentioned the novella as the source material for a new film project, noting it was a misquote of an Emily Dickinson line and praising its inventive exploration of male grief.
"
It's based on an amazing novella called Grief Is the Thing with Feathers which is a misquote of the famous Emily Dickinson line love is the thing with feathers by Max Porter.
Max Porter is a titan of a heroic human being in actual physical stature and in talent; he's created a space where male grief is examined in the most unimaginably crazy and imaginative way.
The story is about a dad who suffers a sudden bereavement, and it's about dealing with it as an acceptance of something you live with.
Unplugged
The host noted that Tom Freston's memoir Unplugged had been read and described as phenomenal, mentioning its November 18 release and later urging listeners to read it.
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Tom, I want to go all the way back. By the way, Tom's got a book that we're going to get into Tom's book in a second because I read it a while ago and it's phenomenal. But I will, it's called ...
— Episode: "Tom Freston"
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Episode: "Tom Freston"
The host noted that Tom Freston's memoir Unplugged had been read and described as phenomenal, mentioning its November 18 release and later urging listeners to read it.
"
Tom, I want to go all the way back. By the way, Tom's got a book that we're going to get into Tom's book in a second because I read it a while ago and it's phenomenal. But I will, it's called Unplugged which is fantastic which is, I think, out now, right Tom?
It comes out November 18.
thank you for writing that Unplugged adventures from MTV to Timbuktu on sale as of November 18th uh from the great uh Tom Freston it proof that there's a big world out there get out into it which is i i say all the time and boy did you do that yeah you you are you are an inspiration to a lot of people including me the great tom fresson you guys take care
Bucky F*cking Dent
A Novel
David Duchovny mentioned that he had written a novel called Bucky Fucking Dent, which he originally wrote as a screenplay before turning it into a book.
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Can I send you one of my books? Yes. Yes. Send you one of my books for a plane ride. It's, it's baseball contingent. It's called Bucky fucking Dent. I made a movie of it.
— Episode: "David Duchovny"
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Episode: "David Duchovny"
David Duchovny mentioned that he had written a novel called Bucky Fucking Dent, which he originally wrote as a screenplay before turning it into a book.
"
Can I send you one of my books? Yes. Yes. Send you one of my books for a plane ride. It's, it's baseball contingent. It's called Bucky fucking Dent. I made a movie of it.
The novel writing came out of not being able to make, uh, uh, screenplay Bucky fucking Dent, I wrote as a screenplay probably in 20, 2005 or six.
The Monmouth Manifesto
Jason described his father's latest novel, the Monmouth Manifesto, as a historical fiction work set around the American Revolution.
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His latest is The Monmouth Manifesto, which is an interesting, interesting novel. And it's sort of historical fiction, if you will.
— Episode: "David Duchovny"
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Episode: "David Duchovny"
Jason described his father's latest novel, the Monmouth Manifesto, as a historical fiction work set around the American Revolution.
"
His latest is The Monmouth Manifesto, which is an interesting, interesting novel. And it's sort of historical fiction, if you will.
Betrayal
Oscar Isaac recalled his last audition being for a production of Harold Pinter's play Betrayal on Broadway in 2014.
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My last audition was for Mike Nichols. Really? ... My last audition was for Mike Nichols. It was for Betrayal on Broadway. It went terribly. It was 2014.
— Episode: "Oscar Isaac"
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Episode: "Oscar Isaac"
Oscar Isaac recalled his last audition being for a production of Harold Pinter's play Betrayal on Broadway in 2014.
"
My last audition was for Mike Nichols. Really? ... My last audition was for Mike Nichols. It was for Betrayal on Broadway. It went terribly. It was 2014.
The Gremlins
The speakers used a copy of the novelization of Gremlins to convince a cinema manager they had already read the book, which got them admitted to a quiet matinee screening.
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We went up to the cinema manager with a copy of the novelization of Gremlins and said to the manager, hey, we've already read the book. So we know what happens. So we're not going to be scared. So you...
— Episode: "Edgar Wright"
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Episode: "Edgar Wright"
The speakers used a copy of the novelization of Gremlins to convince a cinema manager they had already read the book, which got them admitted to a quiet matinee screening.
"
We went up to the cinema manager with a copy of the novelization of Gremlins and said to the manager, hey, we've already read the book. So we know what happens. So we're not going to be scared. So you should let us in. And it was a matinee and it was pretty quiet. And the manager looked around and said, get in there.
Truly
An Inspirational Journey Through the Life of a Musical Legend
The memoir was announced as being released on September30th, with the hosts urging listeners to buy it and praising its content.
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I want to mention that your book is coming out, I want to say, September30th, your book, Truly. You named it.
— Episode: "Lionel Richie"
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Episode: "Lionel Richie"
The memoir was announced as being released on September30th, with the hosts urging listeners to buy it and praising its content.
"
I want to mention that your book is coming out, I want to say, September30th, your book, Truly. You named it.
Your book Truly is on sale September30th. I urge everybody to get out and read it.
Secrets of the Purple Pearl (The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science, 2)
The hosts described it as a middlegrade novel about a deepsea diver named Natalie who searches for purple pearls that only appear at great depths.
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Purple Pearl... Smooth operator... is about somebody who dives for pearls. They're only purple if they're super deep. So this is a diver named Natalie.
— Episode: "Kate McKinnon"
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Episode: "Kate McKinnon"
The hosts described it as a middlegrade novel about a deepsea diver named Natalie who searches for purple pearls that only appear at great depths.
"
Purple Pearl... Smooth operator... is about somebody who dives for pearls. They're only purple if they're super deep. So this is a diver named Natalie.
The book is the second in a series of books called The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science. It's a middle grade novel, the second book in the Millicent Quibb series, called The Secrets of the Purple Pearl.
Freedom
It was mentioned as a recent read that the speaker found really good.
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I read Freedom by Jonathan Frenzen. That was really good.
— Episode: "Kate McKinnon"
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Episode: "Kate McKinnon"
It was mentioned as a recent read that the speaker found really good.
"
I read Freedom by Jonathan Frenzen. That was really good.
Bean Fate
They described it as their dad's novel about Prohibitionstyle booze runners, saying they finally read it and were proud of his accomplishment.
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Well, one of them is my dad's book, Bean Fate, which I finally read, which is amazing. I'm so proud of my dad, Jim Arnett, who wrote a book during the pandemic. And he wrote this sort...
— Episode: "RE-RELEASE: Kerry Washington"
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Episode: "RE-RELEASE: Kerry Washington"
They described it as their dad's novel about Prohibitionstyle booze runners, saying they finally read it and were proud of his accomplishment.
"
Well, one of them is my dad's book, Bean Fate, which I finally read, which is amazing. I'm so proud of my dad, Jim Arnett, who wrote a book during the pandemic. And he wrote this sort of fictionalized novel based on history about booze runners back, you know, Prohibition style.
Heartstopper #6
A Graphic Novel
Olivia explained that she played the mother in the TV adaptation of the graphicnovel series, describing it as a comingofage story.
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Heartstopper was about a lot of things. But it was... Olivia played the mom of a kid who came out of the closet and his journey in high school and all of that stuff.
— Episode: "Olivia Colman"
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Episode: "Olivia Colman"
Olivia explained that she played the mother in the TV adaptation of the graphicnovel series, describing it as a comingofage story.
"
Heartstopper was about a lot of things. But it was... Olivia played the mom of a kid who came out of the closet and his journey in high school and all of that stuff.
Wonder Boys
Anthony asked Curtis Hanson if the film they were discussing was meant to be an ode to Hitchcock, referencing the title WonderBoys during their conversation about the movie.
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I said, Wonder Boys. I'm like, was that meant to be an ode to Alfred Hitchcock?
— Episode: "Anthony Mackie"
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Episode: "Anthony Mackie"
Anthony asked Curtis Hanson if the film they were discussing was meant to be an ode to Hitchcock, referencing the title WonderBoys during their conversation about the movie.
"
I said, Wonder Boys. I'm like, was that meant to be an ode to Alfred Hitchcock?
The School for Good and Evil
The Complete 6-Book Collection
The hosts asked Charlize about the new project and noted that she loved the fantasy movie adaptation. They highlighted her enthusiasm for the story.
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What about this new thing The School for Good and Evil. What are you doing in that and why do you want to do it. What what what about it was it Paul Feig because he's a good dude.
— Episode: "RE-RELEASE: Charlize Theron"
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Episode: "RE-RELEASE: Charlize Theron"
The hosts asked Charlize about the new project and noted that she loved the fantasy movie adaptation. They highlighted her enthusiasm for the story.
"
What about this new thing The School for Good and Evil. What are you doing in that and why do you want to do it. What what what about it was it Paul Feig because he's a good dude.
She loved this movie, this this fantasy movie, this The School for Good and Evil.
Doctor Zhivago
The hosts identified Dr. Zhivago as the answer to a clue about a Russian novel that was made into a film starring Omar Sharif.
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Russian novel made into a film starring Omar Sharif... Dr. Zhivago. Yes. Dr. Zhivago. Very good.
— Episode: SmartLess Presents ClueLess! 145 - Do No...
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Episode: SmartLess Presents ClueLess! 145 - Do Not Pass Go!...
The hosts identified Dr. Zhivago as the answer to a clue about a Russian novel that was made into a film starring Omar Sharif.
"
Russian novel made into a film starring Omar Sharif... Dr. Zhivago. Yes. Dr. Zhivago. Very good.
Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.