Podcast
The Treatment
Hosted by KCRW · EN
The Treatment is a compelling listen to the vital conversations about the catalysts of creative inspiration. Following some of the most interesting, influential, and crossover creators in the world of entertainment, fashion, sports, and the arts, we hear from tastemakers who are the very fabric that forms popular culture.
52episodes
Episodes
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Richard Gadd on the duality in his work
4d ago00:23:32Tap to summarizeEmmy-winning writer and actor Richard Gadd knows he puts his characters under great tension in his work. Gadd wrote and starred in the 2024 Netflix series 'Baby Reindeer,' which was inspired by experiences Gadd had as a stand up comic dealing with a stalker. That series garnered six Emmys, including for Gadd’s performance, and for Outstanding Limited Series. Gadd has followed up Reindeer with the HBO series 'Half Man,' which stars Gadd and Jamie Bell as “brothers” whose shared history spirals them into explosive consequences. Gadd tells The Treatment why he creates characters who are larger than life, how those characters have resonated with people, and why he often sets his series in a metaphorical “oven.”
Transcribe →The Treat: Simon Helberg
1w ago00:05:51Tap to summarizeActor Simon Helberg is likely best known for his 12 seasons as the brilliant but awkward engineer on the CBS sitcom 'The Big Bang Theory.' But he’s made quite the impression with his newest role as a tech genius who can’t connect with his family on the AMC dramedy 'The Audacity.' For Helberg’s treat, he cites a deceptively simple 1938 Pulitzer prize winning play whose ending is on his mind pretty much every day.
Transcribe →Geoff Bennett on 'The Golden Age' of Black TV
2w ago00:23:32Tap to summarizeYou may know journalist Geoff Bennett as co-anchor of the 'PBS Newshour,' or as a contributor to NPR and NBC. He is also the author of the new book 'Black Out Loud: The Revolutionary History of Black Comedy from Vaudeville to ‘90s Sitcoms.' Bennett tells The Treatment why the '90s was a ‘golden age’ for Black TV, how the 'Cosby Show' spinoff 'A Different World' evolved, and why many people got Steve Urkel wrong.
Transcribe →The Treat: Pete Ohs and Jeremy O. Harris
2w ago00:07:02Tap to summarizeThe new film Erupcja, which stars pop star Charli XCX and takes place in Poland, marks the third collaboration between director Pete Ohs and playwright and actor Jeremy O. Harris. Their latest collaboration is another international venture. It’s a joint treat about a surprisingly moving Korean reality show and a stark and shocking piece of auto-fiction from a Japanese Nobel prize winner.
Transcribe →The 'Club Kid' is alright
3w ago00:23:32Tap to summarizeJordan Firstman’s directorial debut 'Club Kid' was one of the breakout hits of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. The film, which follows an aging party promoter as his life takes an unexpected turn, was snapped up for $17 million by A24 after a bidding war. Firstman stars in the film along with Diego Calva and Cara Delevingne. The trio spoke to Elvis last month at Cannes about the cinematic references for the film, how they reacted the first time they saw the movie, and how the club scene serves as a safe space and second family for many people.
Transcribe →The Treat: Tadashi Nakamura
3w ago00:05:52Tap to summarizeFilmmaker Tadashi Nakamura’s newest film 'Third Act' follows his father, lauded director Robert A. Nakamura, as he looks back over his life and career while dealing with a recent diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. For his treat, SoCal native Tadashi celebrates a documentary that looked at the birth of a local culture and did it with style.
Transcribe →RZA on the three things films should do
4w ago00:23:32Tap to summarizeRZA may be the ultimate multi-hyphenate. He’s a founding member of the groundbreaking hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan and is considered one of the greatest hip hop producers ever. He’s also a versatile actor, having appeared in films including 'Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai,' 'Coffee and Cigarettes,' and 'Minions: The Rise of Gru.' And he is a director of films including 'The Man with the Iron Fists' and 'Cut Throat City.' His latest film as director is 'One Spoon of Chocolate,' starring Shameik Moore and presented by Quentin Tarantino. The film follows a veteran and ex-convict looking for a fresh start in a small town. RZA spoke to Elvis at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival where his film premiered. He talks about his growing confidence as a director, collaborating with Moore, and the three things he believes each film should do.
Transcribe →The Treat: Thierry Frémaux
4w ago00:06:43Tap to summarizeThe Cannes Film Festival recently wrapped up its 79th year celebrating films from around the world. Prior to the festival, its director Thierry Frémaux premiered his own film, 'Lumière le Cinéma!,' a look at the birth of cinema through the Lumière Brothers and their invention of the cinematograph. It’s now streaming on the Criterion Channel. For his treat, Frémaux celebrates an American singer-songwriter whose music doesn’t shy away from protesting the country he calls home.
Transcribe →How ‘Project Hail Mary’ captured the spectacle of space
May 2200:23:32Tap to summarizeDirecting duo Phil Lord and Chris Miller got their start in animated TV as co-creators of the series 'Clone High.' Their partnership continued on the big screen with 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,' 'The Lego Movie,' and '21 Jump Street.' Their latest is the adaptation of the Andy Weir sci-fi novel 'Project Hail Mary,' starring Ryan Gosling. Lord and Miller talk about why this movie was the hardest project they've taken on, what the film has in common with 'The Lego Movie,' and why sometimes the most subversive thing they do in a project is have people get along. Note: this interview originally aired on March 20, 2026
Transcribe →The Treat: Cynthia Erivo
May 1800:06:03Tap to summarizeGrammy, Emmy, and Tony-winning actress and singer Cynthia Erivo continues to conquer stage and screen. She stepped back into Elphaba’s shoes (and cape and hat) in the blockbuster musical 'Wicked: For Good' last year. Now, she’s finishing up a run in a one-woman adaptation of 'Dracula' in London’s West End. For her treat, she celebrates Nina Simone’s iconic take of the song “I’m Feeling Good.” Erivo cites the “color” and imperfections of Simone’s singing as inspiration for her own version of the song, which, she says, teaches her something new every time she sings it.
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