The Rest Is Entertainment – “Who Is The Most Powerful Person In Hollywood?”

Hosts: Richard Osman & Marina Hyde

Episode Date: February 12, 2026

Episode Overview

In this lively Q&A edition, Richard Osman and Marina Hyde unpack the machinery of pop culture with their trademark wit, delving into everything from red carpet jewelry logistics and TV’s “Gladiators” drug testing, to the ultimate question: Who really holds the power in Hollywood right now? Industry secrets, anecdotes, and smart banter abound as they tackle listeners’ questions, offering both insider perspective and thoughtful (often hilarious) commentary on the entertainment business.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The High-Stakes World of Red Carpet Jewelry

[02:24–10:33]

• Margot Robbie and Method Dressing:
  • Marina explains the concept of “method dressing”, citing Margot Robbie’s press tours: “She had a different amazing pink outfit for all of that. [...] They even did a coffee table book.” (03:18–03:33)
  • For “Wuthering Heights,” Robbie wore the late Elizabeth Taylor’s Taj Mahal diamond, on loan from a private owner.
  • The stylist Andrew Mukamal is credited for Margot’s distinctive red carpet approach.
• Jewelry Loan Logistics:
  • “It’s a loan system, obviously, and it’s pretty high stakes because these things are worth a lot of money.” (02:55, Marina Hyde)
  • Designers and jewelry houses (Cartier, Tiffany, Harry Winston, etc.) lend pieces for marketing exposure, with ambassador deals for some celebrities.
• Security Measures:
  • Each valuable piece is accompanied by armed guards; "The security guard always has sight on them... If you win and you go to the party and you’re still wearing it, they come to the party with you..." (08:09–08:24, Marina Hyde)
  • Insurance costs for such jewelry can be six figures.
  • Red carpet logistics compared to game shows with real cash, per Richard’s “Million Pound Drop” experience.
• Why do houses lend jewels? Does it pay off?
  • “People often try to buy the piece that they have seen on the red carpet…a week later it will sell to a private client.” (09:13–09:22, Marina Hyde)
  • Example: Gwyneth Paltrow’s Oscar necklace was bought by her father for her (09:04, Marina Hyde).

Notable Quote:

"You have the idea that there are just like random $20 million, $30 million necklaces sitting in vaults that you don’t see for six decades at a time."
— Marina Hyde (09:22)

2. Doping Checks in Gladiators

[11:43–14:08]

• Contemporary and Historical Approaches:
  • Gladiators, especially on the new BBC version, are “absolutely” drug-tested: “...because that show is a BBC show...you have to be squeaky clean on that show.” (13:12, Richard Osman)
  • The early days of “American Gladiators” were infamously drug-fuelled; “There isn’t a drug that they didn’t take.” (12:47, Marina Hyde)
• House of Games segment:
  • Richard jokes that gladiator contestants are about the only people to pass their in-show drug tests.

Memorable Banter:

"When Nitro was carrying Marina on his shoulders, it was done entirely naturally... That's why he's out for the next season."
— Richard Osman (13:03; 13:05)

3. Who’s Really Running Hollywood?

[15:41–17:56]

• Disney Power Struggle:
  • Marina recounts Disney’s “succession battle,” putting Josh D’Amaro (Parks head, now winner) at the center: “Disney made the vast amount of their profit off from parks...the parks make $3.3 billion profit and all of Disney Entertainment makes $1.1 billion.” (16:00–16:35, Marina Hyde)
• Hollywood Power Rankings (Top 3):
  • #3: Neil Mohan (YouTube CEO): Outsider status, but massive influence—“They exist in a world...even Netflix, they think this.” (16:56–17:12, Marina Hyde)
  • #2: Josh D’Amaro (Disney): The new kingmaker in franchise and branding synergy.
  • #1: Ted Sarandos (Netflix): “That’s the call you take first.” (17:39, Marina Hyde)

Notable Quote:

“They’ve got this kind of remote thing that’s just creeping up and eating everybody’s lunch.”
— Marina Hyde, on the YouTube Effect (17:12)

• Mini Power-Play Anecdote:
  • Joking apologies to Ted Sarandos for roasts at industry events.

4. Crowd Work in Stand-up Comedy (with John Bishop)

[17:57–21:24]

• How Comedians Choose Targets:
  • John Bishop (guest) reveals: “The hardest part of comedy is writing a joke…as a comedian, you might pick on someone to settle them down because they look agitated...but the reality is it just becomes an unlearnt skill…you just do it.” (18:39–19:57, John Bishop)
  • Red flags: Audience members who don’t laugh usually don’t get approached.
  • Memorable story: John once picked on a silent audience member who then revealed, “My mum’s just died”—“now that’s killed the gig, ain’t it?” (21:20, John Bishop)

Memorable Quote:

“It’s not hard to say to someone on the front row, you’re a dickhead and that shit’s shit... That’s not hard.”
— John Bishop (19:12)

5. Dream Audiobook Narrators

[21:42–24:15]

• Marina’s Forthcoming Book:
  • Marina will narrate her own new book, breaking prior reluctance.
• Fantasy Narrators:
  • #3: Connor Story; #2: Kathryn Hahn (as her "studio" character); #1: Sydney Jo Robinson (“group chat” TikTok sketches).
• Shout-Outs:
  • Recommendations for Sydney Jo Robinson’s sketches (“so well done and hysterical,” 24:00, Marina Hyde), and Tommy Stewart’s “recreational golfer” press conference videos (24:15, Richard Osman).

6. Fonts, Accessibility, and Large Print

[24:30–26:26]

• Richard’s Book:
  • Uses Garamond; Penguin Random House's default, with large print editions for accessibility.
  • Richard, who has visual difficulties himself, notes: “But Garamond is chosen because it’s fairly clear to read...if you do find it difficult, there is a large print version as well.” (26:06–26:26, Richard Osman)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Margot Robbie’s jewelry:
  “That was worth a lot of money. And we’ll get to the expensive jewels in a minute…” (04:49, Marina Hyde)
• On security at red carpets:
  “If you win and you go to the party and you’re still wearing it, they come to the party with you and they’re around the whole time.” (08:20, Marina Hyde)
• Hollywood power ranking logic:
  “Who’s call do you take first?” (16:44, Richard Osman)
• On crowd work:
  “A skill that you can’t teach unless you do it, you just do it.” (John Bishop, 19:57)
• On font choices:
  “I’ve also got my hallway done in Garamond as well.” (24:53, Richard Osman)

Important Timestamps

• Red Carpet Jewelry, Security: 02:52–10:33
• Gladiators & Doping: 11:43–14:08
• Hollywood Power Rankings: 15:41–17:56
• Stand-Up Crowd Work (John Bishop): 17:57–21:24
• Audiobook Narrator Picks: 21:42–24:15
• Book Fonts & Accessibility: 24:30–26:26

Tone & Style

• Open, humorous, conversational, with sharp industry and cultural insight
• Each segment blends practical expertise with witty asides and pop culture references
• Regular use of anecdote and personal experience

Useful for Listeners Who Haven’t Heard

This episode delivers a revealing look at the realities behind Hollywood glamour, how (and why) stars wear $20 million diamonds, who the true movers-and-shakers are in entertainment, what actually happens on “Gladiators,” tricks of the comedy trade, and even the accessibility of print in publishing—all filtered through a lens of real industry familiarity and friendly banter. Whether you’re looking for behind-the-scenes insight or simply great conversation, Richard and Marina—and guest John Bishop—make this episode both enlightening and highly entertaining.