Shows
Going Thru ItControl Is an Illusion with Mickey RapkinIt’s one of those weeks where the headlines feel uncomfortably close to home. Between James Van Der Beek’s death from colorectal cancer and Eric Dane’s ALS diagnosis, it’s hard not to think about your own health and mortality. So we brought on our friend Mickey Rapkin — journalist, author, former GQ editor, and yes, the guy who wrote Pitch Perfect before it became a major studio franchise.
In August 2025, Mickey’s older brother Jon died from brain cancer. We talk about sibling loss (aka the worst club), the sacred inside jokes, the random movie lines that b...
2026-02-2649 min
Scriptnotes Podcast710 - What Happened To Weird?John and Craig look at all the pleasant, normal people around them and ask, what happened to the weirdos? They root out the causes of cultural stagnation, offer potential solutions, and explore the entertainment that still finds a way to be weird. We also look at the tipping point between "wanting to write" and "actually writing," follow up on printer prices and billboard queens, and answer listener questions on soundtracks, adapting a podcast and feeling ownership over your ideas. In our bonus segment for premium members, we try to remember how we construct our personal...
2025-11-041h 00Scriptnotes Podcast708 - Ambition Meets FabricationJohn and Craig look at three tales of lies, betrayal and deceit and ask, How Would This be a Movie? Stories include a flamboyant show-business grifter, a sibling rivalry between two LA billboard queens, and American students tricked into attending a fake Oxford college. We also follow up on audio dramas, last looks, and answer listener questions on a suspicious AI story and what do do with producers that are too keen. In our bonus segment for premium members, how do you watch TV when you're away from home, particularly overseas? We share the joys...
2025-10-211h 02
Required ReadingTheater Geek with Kelsey Buckley Kelsey Buckley returns to wrap up our summer camp series with a nonfiction book: THEATER GEEK. Theater Geek by Mickey Rapkin chronicles one summer at renowned theater camp Stagedoor Manor. Follow Kelsey! Follow Erin!Support the podcast! As of this writing (8.26.25) we have earned $3.56 from ad revenue! Thank you for listening!
2025-08-2741 min
Nerdist in AudioVERY YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN Series in Development From WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS TeamLegendary filmmaker Mel Brooks is developing a new comedy series titled Very Young Frankenstein, which will serve as a prequel to his classic 1974 film, Young Frankenstein.The series, produced by ABC Signature, will focus on a young Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, the character famously played by Gene Wilder. The story will follow him as a brilliant but socially awkward student at the University of Ingolstadt. There, he struggles with his family's monstrous legacy while creating his very first monster with the help of a "ragtag group of lab partners."The 97-year-old Brooks is actively involved as an...
2025-06-2702 min
KUCI: Film SchoolThe Anne Frank Gift Shop / Film School Radio interview with Director / Writer Mickey RapkinWhen a high-end design firm presents its plans to reimagine the gift shop at The Anne Frank House, the company’s overt appeals to Generation Z sparks a darkly comic debate about collective trauma, the Holocaust and tote bags. THE ANNE FRANK GIFT SHOP, which stars Ari Graynor and Abbott Elementary's Chris Perfetti among other notable actors, imagines a meeting between the Anne Frank House and the New York design firm they've hired to help them appeal to young people. The idea for the film grew out of a disturbing study that revealed two-thirds of young Americans couldn't tell you how...
2024-02-0516 min
GeekscapeGeekscape 680: 'Pitch Perfect' Creator Mickey Rapkin!Writer (and now Director) Mickey Rapkin began his career as a journalist for The New York Times, ELLE, Bon Appetit, and National Geographic Traveler before becoming a senior editor at GQ. His first book, Pitch Perfect, inspired the hit film series about a cappella singing. He is also the author of Theater Geek, It's Not a Bed, It's a Time Machine, and more. And now Mickey is on the shortlist for the Oscar for Best Live Action Short for his new film 'The Anne Frank Gift Shop'. We talk about writing, meeting with Elizabeth Banks, his foray into directing...
2024-01-101h 04
Morning MeetingThe Fight Between Millennials and Gen Z–ersGen Z–ers and millennials have grown up agreeing on where to stand on seemingly every social and political issue. But now they find themselves divided. Kat Rosenfield tells us how the fighting in Israel has become the first true wedge issue for those under 40. Then filmmaker Mickey Rapkin explains why he made a dark comedy about Anne Frank. And finally, Linda Wells reveals everything you need to know about looking good this fall. And if you’re getting ready for the new season of The Crown,Linda has the inside story on the man whom Princess Diana trusted above...
2023-11-0432 min
Big Reputations47. Celine DionIn this episode, we discuss the Queen of Power Ballads, Ms. Celine Dion. We cover some of her early life and what got her into the music industry. Then we explore some of the things the media has said about her over the years, especially in regards to the most epic of all of her power ballads, "My Heart Will Go On," written and sung for the Titanic soundtrack. Next we dig into some truths behind her life experiences and choices. We consider why people stigmatize her based on the genre she sings, and the issues they have with t...
2023-07-121h 43Big Reputations47. Celine DionIn this episode, we discuss the Queen of Power Ballads, Ms. Celine Dion. We cover some of her early life and what got her into the music industry. Then we explore some of the things the media has said about her over the years, especially in regards to the most epic of all of her power ballads, "My Heart Will Go On," written and sung for the Titanic soundtrack. Next we dig into some truths behind her life experiences and choices. We consider why people stigmatize her based on the genre she sings, and the issues they have with t...
2023-07-121h 43
Cornell (thank) UMICKEY RAPKIN - Author of Pitch Perfect, Journalist, Singer, Screenwriter and HILARIOUS!If he had given us 10 hours, it still would not have been enough.We all know Mickey Rapkin for his groundbreaking, trend setting, mania inducing novel, Pitch Perfect. Now hear the rest of the story - a Cayuga Waiter, journalist, screenwriter, runner, kindergarten teacher and brilliantly funny human, we loved Mickey. Pitch Perfect is just the tip of the Rapkin iceberg. He's endlessly talented and full of ideas. Listen to two of his solos at the intro and outro of the episode.PS, you're welcome, we just found the ultimate baby present.
2023-05-2939 min
Reboot PresentsReplay: The Kibitz - UnplugGet ready to unplug - but don’t sign off yet because in celebration of the upcoming Global Day of Unplugging on March 3-4, 2023, we are revisiting the Unplug episode of The Kibitz podcast, Season 1, Episode 4, originally aired in March 2016. Despite the obvious irony in a podcast about unplugging, this episode of The Kibitz is all about our need to collectively unplug from technology. Join host Dan Crane on a journey celebrating the Shabbat tradition and the National Day of Unplugging. Featuring guests: Dan Rollman, David Kasher, Moshe Kasher, Janice “Nanna” Lubin (Dan’s 95 years young nanna), Gabriel Kahane and Mick...
2023-03-0242 min
We Don't Even KnowWDEK Podcast Ep. 97: Joaquín Torres & Jordan Carlos - 10/26/21 It's October and the creepy crawly mood is upon us. Shonali has her jack-o-lanterns lit. Christian says there's a chance that he'll be an N95 mask for Halloween. Justin and his family will be "Tre Allegri Ragazzi Morti" (3 Happy Dead Guys!) Our special guests are former actor turned public servant, Assessor-Recorder of San Francisco Joaquín Torres and comedian, actor, writer Jordan Carlos. You ever consider what it would be like to leave your current occupation to embark on a journey as a public servant? Our first guest has done that. Joaquín Torres...
2021-11-021h 16
Fully OperationalEpisode 55. Three Films by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala: The Remains of the DayThis is what remains of our three films by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala miniseries, the 8x Oscar-nominated (zero-winning), The Remains of the Day, starring Anthony Hopkins, in one of his most intricate roles and Dame Emma Thompson, coming hot off her Howards End Best Actress win.But before we hang out at Darlington Hall (take that Downton Abbey!), we have to talk about what we watched this week.And, for Dre, he actually was watching Downton Abbey, the movie! He also watched Robert Altman's upstairs/downstairs whodunit, Gosford Park—staying on theme.Goodman stayed on...
2021-06-241h 25
One Page At a Time PodcastEpisode 34: 2020 Favorite Reads with Jill Berrett Given and Amanda FristromWe both had reading goals we mastered in 2020 and want to share with you some 2020 favorite reads from us, One Page at a Time hosts, Jill Berrett Given and Amanda Fristrom
As we look forward to a new year in our podcast, we wanted to take a minute and look back at the last year. It was a big year in reading for both of us, so before we dive back into the awesome guests we get to chat with, we decided to share some of our favorites of all the books we read! In this episode we talk about:
...
2021-01-1352 min
Thrive LouD with Lou Diamond"PITCH PERFECT THRIVING"Mickey Rapkin is a screenwriter and journalist whose first book, PITCH PERFECT, about the competitive world of collegiate a cappella groups, inspired the film franchise of the same name. Rapkin has a feature in development at TriStar, inspired by The Chainsmokers's global hit song PARIS, which will be produced by the band's production company Kick the Habit and Management 360. He also has a TV series in development at Apple with John Wells and Warner Bros., based on Stephen McCauley's novel MY EX-LIFE. His feature, KILLER CHOIR, is in development at MRC, with producer Scooter Braun and Management 360. ...
2020-08-0431 min
Skylight Books Podcast SeriesMickey Rapkin, "IT'S NOT A BED, IT'S A TIME MACHINE" w/ Sara RueIn this clever picture book, a young boy anxious for bedtime discovers his bed is a time machine!
Bedtime means lights out, with dark corners and spooky sounds. But it also means...
Adventure! Because it's not a bed, it's a time machine. Our hero rides it to the coolest time of all--the age of the dinosaurs. He makes a tyrannosaurus-sized friend, who helps him become the Boss of Bedtime.
While tonight's sleep will span millions of years, it'll feel like it's over in the blink of an eye.
Author Mickey Rapkin read...
2019-08-0704 min
Lit UpMickey Rapkin on writing a Hollywood hitGetting a publisher to agree to print a book about the world of acapella singing groups was not an easy task for Author Mickey Rapkin, but he stuck with it and this risk let to the hugely successful trilogy of Pitch Perfect films. Host Angela Ledgerwood speaks to Mickey about where he got the idea from, how slow the process is when transitioning a book to a film and why he has chosen children's' books as his latest writing challenge. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2019-06-1932 min
head/voiceEp. 76: Lisa Forkish (HIVE, Vocal Rush, WACA, fmr. UO Divisi)Just a few things that are contained in this heartwarming barnburner of an episode: 1) Insane stories about a cappella competition 2) An update about WACA and some scoops about WeSing 3) Lisa’s signature salmon recipe SHOW NOTES Intro Song: "H/V Theme" by Evan Linsey & Kayla Pichichero Outro Song: "Love Warrior” by Lisa Forkish https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sRYv_XLPn4 https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/lisaforkish5 ~Referenced during the episode~ UO Divisi: https...
2019-02-071h 15
Pop Shop PodcastComing Around Again: Foo Fighters' 'The Colour and the Shape' and Celine Dion's 'My Heart Will Go On'This week, Chris DeVille of Stereogum joins Coming Around Again to talk about the Foo Fighters' near-classic 1997 sophomore album, 'The Colour and the Shape,' which turns 20 this Saturday (May 20). Then, culture writer Mickey Rapkin calls in to discuss his excellent Billboard oral history of Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On," before Celine performs the classic at the Billboard Music Awards this Sunday. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy
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2017-05-1940 min
We Don't Even KnowEpisode 8: Mickey Rapkin - November 20, 2012Episode 8 is the first WDEK episode to be taped post Super Storm (was not classified as a hurricane when it hit us) Sandy and the 2012 Presidential Election. Shonali has power, heat but still no internet. Christian has nothing to complain about but for the noise of sirens the day the storm hit, yeah, seriously. Shonali was a poll watcher in Philly. Christian causes a commotion on a flight on election day. Shonali saw Madonna live for the very first time. Special guest Mickey Rapkin joins us in the WDEK studio (Shonali's dining room). Mickey has seen Madonna live before only tic...
2012-11-271h 03
VoiceBoxThe Real GleeCollege a cappella experts Charlie Forkish, Bill Hare, Deke Sharon, Mickey Rapkin and Will Tarpeh exchange thoughts on the current state of the booming college a cappella scene.
2012-05-0550 min