Rachel Maddow Presents: Special Preview of “The Best People with Nicolle Wallace”

Release Date: June 2, 2025
Episode: Special Preview of “The Best People with Nicolle Wallace”
Host: Nicole Wallace
Platform: Rachel Maddow Presents, MSNBC

Introduction

In a special preview episode of “The Best People with Nicole Wallace,” host Nicole Wallace invites listeners to embark on a journey through her curated list of influential individuals. This episode serves as an introduction to the new podcast, highlighting the caliber of guests and the depth of conversations listeners can expect. The preview features an engaging discussion with acclaimed actor Jason Bateman, providing a glimpse into the podcast's format and thematic focus.

About “The Best People with Nicole Wallace”

Nicole Wallace, a seasoned journalist and mother, launches her podcast, “The Best People with Nicole Wallace,” as part of the Rachel Maddow Presents series. The podcast aims to showcase conversations with some of the most intelligent, humorous, wise, and creative individuals Nicole has encountered in her personal and professional life. The selection ranges from entertainers and media personalities to influential figures in various industries.

Nicole Wallace introduces the podcast with enthusiasm:

"The best people are some of the most accomplished and accessible people out there. From Jason Bateman to Kara Swisher, Rachel Maddow to Sarah Jessica Parker, Doc Rivers, and Jeff Daniels, this podcast is a chance for you to hear them and see them the way I do. And what you hear might surprise you."
(00:02)

Episode Preview: Conversation with Jason Bateman

The special preview delves into a conversational segment with Jason Bateman, offering insights into his perspectives on current political dynamics and their influence on the entertainment industry.

Unpredictability of Political Narratives

Jason Bateman draws parallels between political developments and scripted storytelling, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of real-world events:

"I think what makes the Trump story so amazing is nobody knows what's gonna happen next. You know, I mean, the people in his cabinet don't seem to know what's happening next."
(00:02)

He further elaborates on the complexity and unexpected twists within the political landscape:

"You know, it's crazy, but there's a writer's room somewhere, somewhere. And in that writer's room, they are figuring out these seasonal arcs that are just... they're just gobsmacking and somehow they build to these great, you know, cliffhangers, too, that, you know, are kind of like... Well, that's like jumping the shark. But like, for instance, you know, remember for a moment there, it was very plausible that he was going to win the election but start serving in prison. Like, that was... that wasn't that. Would you write that? Maybe, yeah, like, that would be a jump the shark moment. But no, actually, everything was built towards that legitimately can happen. And people are trying to figure out the apparatus to get classified documents to him, et cetera, et cetera. And like, to me, that's just a show I can't stop watching because he keeps outdoing himself and doubling and tripling down, and it's not for show. It's actually a reasonable escalation based on what just happened last. It's like it's really happening."
(01:39)

Impact on the Entertainment Industry

Nicole Wallace probes deeper into how real-world unpredictability affects creative endeavors, particularly in the film and television sectors:

"Does it change your industry at all when, like, the real world is so batshit crazy, does it make people think like, I mean, you know, like, oh, this couldn't happen when the real world keeps defying that frame of this couldn't happen."
(02:50)

Jason Bateman responds by discussing the challenges of developing projects that intersect with current political events:

"Well, there's plenty of projects I've been involved with, at least two of them that are directly related to key figures in his administration that I have started developing but then backed away because there's no way you can do that because those are still active storylines and by the time you're done shooting it, the ending may have been written and we won't have it, you know, in the show. So, yeah, it's the notion of what is plausible and possible in the political world. I think the writers rooms are having difficulty imagining it even in a fictional setting. If you were to just have a fictional administration. Because, you know, I think most of us come off the car lot with a standard feature of shame and an ability to become embarrassed. And that's not built into our systems of defense. You can't assume that somebody is going to drive right through shamelessness. And he does and he is. And so we're constantly on our heels."
(03:03)

Key Insights and Discussions

1. Blurring Lines Between Reality and Fiction: Jason Bateman highlights how real-world events, particularly the unpredictable actions of political figures like Donald Trump, are challenging traditional storytelling mechanisms in entertainment. The unpredictability mirrors complex, unscripted narratives that even seasoned writers struggle to anticipate.

2. Challenges in Project Development: Bateman discusses the difficulty in developing projects that are intertwined with ongoing political narratives. The fluidity of real-world events makes it nearly impossible to capture accurately in scripted formats, leading to delays or abandonment of such endeavors.

3. Character Traits in Leadership: The conversation touches on the absence of traditionally humanizing traits like shame and embarrassment in certain political leaders, which affects public perception and political dynamics. This lack of vulnerability is seen as a factor that keeps adversaries and observers perpetually uncertain.

4. Creative Adaptation: Both Wallace and Bateman explore how creators in the entertainment industry must adapt to the ever-evolving political landscape, balancing the depiction of real events with the need for cohesive storytelling.

Conclusion

This special preview episode of “The Best People with Nicole Wallace” sets the stage for an insightful series that bridges personal anecdotes with broader societal issues. Through the conversation with Jason Bateman, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the interplay between politics and entertainment, highlighting the challenges and adaptations required in both realms. The episode promises rich, thought-provoking discussions with a diverse array of influential figures, making it a must-listen for those seeking depth and authenticity in podcast content.

Notable Quotes:

• Nicole Wallace (00:02): "The best people are some of the most accomplished and accessible people out there... you can hear them and see them the way I do."

• Jason Bateman (01:39): "I can't stop watching because he keeps outdoing himself and doubling and tripling down, and it's not for show. It's actually a reasonable escalation based on what just happened last. It's like it's really happening."

• Nicole Wallace (02:50): "Does it change your industry at all when, like, the real world is so batshit crazy..."

• Jason Bateman (03:03): "Writers rooms are having difficulty imagining it even in a fictional setting... he does and he is. And so we're constantly on our heels."

For those interested in exploring the full depth of Nicole Wallace's conversations with her “best people,” the podcast is available now for free on all major platforms. Subscribers to MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts can access early content, ad-free listening, and exclusive bonus materials.