David Hemingson’s The Holdovers at Focus Features won original screenplay and Cord Jefferson’s Oscar-winning American Fiction from Amazon MGM Studios took adapted honours at the strike-delayed Writers Guild Awards on Sunday.
This was a second major adapted screenplay award in relatively short order for Jefferson after last month’s Oscar win.
The Holdovers prevailed in an original screenplay category that included Barbie and May December, but not the Oscar winner Anatomy Of A Fall, rendered ineligible here because it was not produced under a Writers Guild of America (WGA) contract.
The best documentary screenplay award went to Errol Morris for The Pigeon Tunnel.
This was a second major adapted screenplay award in relatively short order for Jefferson after last month’s Oscar win.
The Holdovers prevailed in an original screenplay category that included Barbie and May December, but not the Oscar winner Anatomy Of A Fall, rendered ineligible here because it was not produced under a Writers Guild of America (WGA) contract.
The best documentary screenplay award went to Errol Morris for The Pigeon Tunnel.
- 4/15/2024
- ScreenDaily
David Hemingson’s The Holdovers at Focus Features won original screenplay and Cord Jefferson’s Oscar-winning American Fiction from Amazon MGM Studios took adapted honours at the strike-delayed Writers Guild Awards on Sunday.
This was a second major adapted screenplay award in relatively short order for Jefferson after last month’s Oscar win.
The Holdovers prevailed in an original screenplay category that included Barbie and May December, but not the Oscar winner Anatomy Of A Fall, rendered ineligible here because it was not produced under a Writers Guild of America (WGA) contract.
The best documentary screenplay award went to Errol Morris for The Pigeon Tunnel.
This was a second major adapted screenplay award in relatively short order for Jefferson after last month’s Oscar win.
The Holdovers prevailed in an original screenplay category that included Barbie and May December, but not the Oscar winner Anatomy Of A Fall, rendered ineligible here because it was not produced under a Writers Guild of America (WGA) contract.
The best documentary screenplay award went to Errol Morris for The Pigeon Tunnel.
- 4/15/2024
- ScreenDaily
The David Hemingson-scripted Alexander Payne dramedy The Holdovers and Cord Jefferson’s American Fiction were the big film winners at the strike-delayed 2024 Writers Guild Awards, which were handed out Sunday in Los Angeles and New York.
Jefferson — who also was honored with the WGA West’s Paul Selvin Award — followed his Oscar win for Adapted Screenplay as the WGA’s weird, wild and elongated Awards season wrapped with simultaneous ceremonies on both coasts. Hemingson scored a modicum of revenge for losing the Original Screenplay Academy Award to Justine Triet and Arthur Harari for Anatomy of a Fall.
The latter script, however, wasn’t eligible for a Writers Guild Award. That’s because, unlike other guilds, the WGA deems ineligible any scripts for movies not produced under its Minimum Basic Agreement or a bona fide collective bargaining agreement with various affiliated countries.
Later, the Documentary prize went to Errol Morris...
Jefferson — who also was honored with the WGA West’s Paul Selvin Award — followed his Oscar win for Adapted Screenplay as the WGA’s weird, wild and elongated Awards season wrapped with simultaneous ceremonies on both coasts. Hemingson scored a modicum of revenge for losing the Original Screenplay Academy Award to Justine Triet and Arthur Harari for Anatomy of a Fall.
The latter script, however, wasn’t eligible for a Writers Guild Award. That’s because, unlike other guilds, the WGA deems ineligible any scripts for movies not produced under its Minimum Basic Agreement or a bona fide collective bargaining agreement with various affiliated countries.
Later, the Documentary prize went to Errol Morris...
- 4/15/2024
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Nominees have been announced for the 76th annual Writers Guild Awards, and Star Trek: Picard squeaked in just under the wire.
The concluded Paramount+ quasi-revival saw its series finale nominated in the Episodic Drama category. Other first-time nominees include freshman shows Shrinking, The Last of Us, The Curse and The Diplomat.
More from TVLineThe Last of Us: Catherine O'Hara Confirmed for Season 2 Mystery RoleThe Diplomat Season 2: The West Wing's Allison Janney Elected Vice PresidentThe Last of Us Casts 100 Things to Do Before High School's Isabela Merced as Someone Very Important to Ellie
Of course, usual suspects like Succession,...
The concluded Paramount+ quasi-revival saw its series finale nominated in the Episodic Drama category. Other first-time nominees include freshman shows Shrinking, The Last of Us, The Curse and The Diplomat.
More from TVLineThe Last of Us: Catherine O'Hara Confirmed for Season 2 Mystery RoleThe Diplomat Season 2: The West Wing's Allison Janney Elected Vice PresidentThe Last of Us Casts 100 Things to Do Before High School's Isabela Merced as Someone Very Important to Ellie
Of course, usual suspects like Succession,...
- 2/21/2024
- by Michael Ausiello
- TVLine.com
The Writers Guild of America’s west and east arms have announced nominations for this year’s honors in screenwriting, television, new media, news, radio/audio, and promotional writing during 2023. Delayed due to the Hollywood strikes, this year’s ceremony will take place on Sunday, April 14, 2024. Here are the nominees:
Screenplay Nominees
Original Screenplay
“Air,” Written by Alex Convery; Amazon MGM Studios
“Barbie,” Written by Greta Gerwig & Noah Baumbach; Warner Bros. Pictures
“The Holdovers,” Written by David Hemingson; Focus Features
“May December,” Screenplay by Samy Burch, Story by Samy Burch & Alex Mechanik; Netflix
“Past Lives,” Written by Celine Song; A24
Adapted Screenplay
“American Fiction,” Screenplay by Cord Jefferson, Based upon the novel “Erasure” by Percival Everett; Amazon MGM Studios
“Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.,” Screenplay by Kelly Fremon Craig, Based on the book by Judy Blume; Lionsgate
“Killers of the Flower Moon,” Screenplay by Eric Roth and Martin Scorsese,...
Screenplay Nominees
Original Screenplay
“Air,” Written by Alex Convery; Amazon MGM Studios
“Barbie,” Written by Greta Gerwig & Noah Baumbach; Warner Bros. Pictures
“The Holdovers,” Written by David Hemingson; Focus Features
“May December,” Screenplay by Samy Burch, Story by Samy Burch & Alex Mechanik; Netflix
“Past Lives,” Written by Celine Song; A24
Adapted Screenplay
“American Fiction,” Screenplay by Cord Jefferson, Based upon the novel “Erasure” by Percival Everett; Amazon MGM Studios
“Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.,” Screenplay by Kelly Fremon Craig, Based on the book by Judy Blume; Lionsgate
“Killers of the Flower Moon,” Screenplay by Eric Roth and Martin Scorsese,...
- 2/21/2024
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
The 2024 Writers Guild Awards nominations have been revealed.
The nominees in the category of original screenplay are Air, Barbie, The Holdovers, May December and Past Lives.
In the adapted screenplay category the nominees are American Fiction, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, Killers of the Flower Moon, Nyad and Oppenheimer.
In an unusual move this year, the WGA Awards will take place after the Oscars, with the winners awarded on April 14.
A complete list of this year’s nominees follows.
Screenplay Nominees
Original Screenplay
Air, Written by Alex Convery; Amazon MGM Studios
Barbie, Written by Greta Gerwig & Noah Baumbach; Warner Bros. Pictures
The Holdovers, Written by David Hemingson; Focus Features
May December, Screenplay by Samy Burch, Story by Samy Burch & Alex Mechanik; Netflix
Past Lives, Written by Celine Song; A24
Adapted Screenplay
American Fiction, Screenplay by Cord Jefferson, Based upon the novel Erasure by Percival Everett; Amazon MGM Studios
Are You There God?...
The nominees in the category of original screenplay are Air, Barbie, The Holdovers, May December and Past Lives.
In the adapted screenplay category the nominees are American Fiction, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, Killers of the Flower Moon, Nyad and Oppenheimer.
In an unusual move this year, the WGA Awards will take place after the Oscars, with the winners awarded on April 14.
A complete list of this year’s nominees follows.
Screenplay Nominees
Original Screenplay
Air, Written by Alex Convery; Amazon MGM Studios
Barbie, Written by Greta Gerwig & Noah Baumbach; Warner Bros. Pictures
The Holdovers, Written by David Hemingson; Focus Features
May December, Screenplay by Samy Burch, Story by Samy Burch & Alex Mechanik; Netflix
Past Lives, Written by Celine Song; A24
Adapted Screenplay
American Fiction, Screenplay by Cord Jefferson, Based upon the novel Erasure by Percival Everett; Amazon MGM Studios
Are You There God?...
- 2/21/2024
- by Hilary Lewis
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Only Murders in the Building may be done for now — after Ben Glenroy’s (Paul Rudd) murder was solved in the third season finale. But binge-worthy whodunnits with elusive killers pursued by troubled detectives or amateur sleuths are everywhere.
Below, The Hollywood Reporter plucks 10 murder mysteries to keep viewers sharp and solving crime puzzles until the Hulu murder mystery comedy returns — with the intrepid trio played by Martin Short, Steve Martin and Selena Gomez — for an even deadlier fourth season (following that cliffhanger).
Get set for more more mutilated victims left at the bottom of staircases, more clues left behind, more dark and evil killers, and more prime suspects in their own webs of lies and deceit to be played by mega Hollywood stars, all to keep you guessing and engaged from the safety of your living room couch.
The Afterparty (Apple TV+) Tiffany Haddish in The Afterparty
Only Murders in the Building...
Below, The Hollywood Reporter plucks 10 murder mysteries to keep viewers sharp and solving crime puzzles until the Hulu murder mystery comedy returns — with the intrepid trio played by Martin Short, Steve Martin and Selena Gomez — for an even deadlier fourth season (following that cliffhanger).
Get set for more more mutilated victims left at the bottom of staircases, more clues left behind, more dark and evil killers, and more prime suspects in their own webs of lies and deceit to be played by mega Hollywood stars, all to keep you guessing and engaged from the safety of your living room couch.
The Afterparty (Apple TV+) Tiffany Haddish in The Afterparty
Only Murders in the Building...
- 10/16/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Before Meghan Markle married Prince Harry, she played Rachel Zane on the legal drama Suits. The cable TV show aired from 2011 to 2019. Four years after its series finale, Suits became the surprise hit of the summer thanks to its resurgence on the streaming platforms Netflix and Peacock. The show, which began streaming in June 2023, clocked 3 billion viewing minutes in one week between the two platforms. And by July, Suits set a new record as the most-viewed acquired streaming title.
Now many are wondering how much the Duchess of Sussex is banking in residual checks. Here’s more on that and the shoutout Meghan just received from one of her former co-stars.
Meghan Markle as Rachel Zane in Season 1 of ‘Suits’ | Frank Ockenfels/USA/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images Meghan’s co-star gives her a shoutout after ‘Suits’ resurgence on streaming platforms
Patrick J. Adams played Mike Ross, who...
Now many are wondering how much the Duchess of Sussex is banking in residual checks. Here’s more on that and the shoutout Meghan just received from one of her former co-stars.
Meghan Markle as Rachel Zane in Season 1 of ‘Suits’ | Frank Ockenfels/USA/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images Meghan’s co-star gives her a shoutout after ‘Suits’ resurgence on streaming platforms
Patrick J. Adams played Mike Ross, who...
- 9/10/2023
- by Michelle Kapusta
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Editor’s Note: This interview took place prior to the beginning of the Writers Guild of America strike on May 2.
Is Charlie Cale (Natasha Lyonne) a superhero? She’s a human lie detector, that’s reaffirmed again and again over the course of “Poker Face.” The world of the Peacock series is certainly a heightened one, full of murderous actors, murderous racecar drivers, murderous Joseph Gordon-Levitts — all sorts. The show’s tone and, for lack of a better term, physics never stray as far from reality as “Wonder Woman” or “Guardians of the Galaxy,” but thinking about Charlie’s ability through the framework of sci-fi/fantasy genre conventions helped showrunners Lilla and Nora Zuckerman tap into what makes the character tick.
Miles Morales can sling webs all day, but that doesn’t help him solve the dilemma of asking out a cute girl or figuring out a new, more mature relationship with his parents.
Is Charlie Cale (Natasha Lyonne) a superhero? She’s a human lie detector, that’s reaffirmed again and again over the course of “Poker Face.” The world of the Peacock series is certainly a heightened one, full of murderous actors, murderous racecar drivers, murderous Joseph Gordon-Levitts — all sorts. The show’s tone and, for lack of a better term, physics never stray as far from reality as “Wonder Woman” or “Guardians of the Galaxy,” but thinking about Charlie’s ability through the framework of sci-fi/fantasy genre conventions helped showrunners Lilla and Nora Zuckerman tap into what makes the character tick.
Miles Morales can sling webs all day, but that doesn’t help him solve the dilemma of asking out a cute girl or figuring out a new, more mature relationship with his parents.
- 6/21/2023
- by Sarah Shachat
- Indiewire
On Peacock’s murder mystery/comedy hybrid “Poker Face,” not only are the actors, writers and directors pivotal to the success of the show, but the artisans toiling behind the scenes are of course some of the real stars of the show. How do they typically work with other departments to ensure that they’re all serving the story and elevating the actors’ performances in the best possible way? To answer that question and many more, we celebrated the the show’s acclaimed first season with a special 40-minute “making of” roundtable discussion with costume designer Trayce Gigi Field, production designer Judy Rhee, makeup department head Amy L. Forsythe and hair department head Marcel Dagenais. Together they are joined by Gold Derby senior editor Rob Licuria for a fascinating Q&a about their highlights. Watch our exclusive Q&a video above.
See Emmy predictions: Mysterious performances by Judith Light and...
See Emmy predictions: Mysterious performances by Judith Light and...
- 6/16/2023
- by Rob Licuria
- Gold Derby
“Sometimes you meet people and you just have that instant chemistry, and that was what we had,” reveals three-time Tony winner and multiple Emmy nominee Judith Light about her guest role on Peacock’s murder mystery dramedy “Poker Face.” For our recent webchat she adds, “It is a marvelous, incredible creation, both those characters, S. Epatha Merkerson and mine — Joyce and Irene — are amazing.” Watch our exclusive video interview above.
See Emmy predictions: Mysterious performances by Judith Light and Cherry Jones lead ‘Poker Face’ guest actresses
“Poker Face” was created by Oscar-nominated writer/director Rian Johnson, who also serves as co-showrunner alongside producer writer/producer sisters Nora Zuckerman and Lilla Zuckerman. The “case-of-the-week” murder mystery stars Emmy nominee Natasha Lyonne as Charlie Cale, a casino worker on the run from her nefarious bosses. As Charlie tries to stay one step ahead of casino head of security Cliff LeGrand (Emmy nominee...
See Emmy predictions: Mysterious performances by Judith Light and Cherry Jones lead ‘Poker Face’ guest actresses
“Poker Face” was created by Oscar-nominated writer/director Rian Johnson, who also serves as co-showrunner alongside producer writer/producer sisters Nora Zuckerman and Lilla Zuckerman. The “case-of-the-week” murder mystery stars Emmy nominee Natasha Lyonne as Charlie Cale, a casino worker on the run from her nefarious bosses. As Charlie tries to stay one step ahead of casino head of security Cliff LeGrand (Emmy nominee...
- 6/15/2023
- by Rob Licuria
- Gold Derby
I’ve been doing this long enough to remember the days when film folks saw doing TV as a bit of a step down, or a one-time novelty — and even TV folks felt like they were in the minors, waiting for that call to join the movie big leagues. That hasn’t been the case for a while, and I like to needle my film colleagues with the now-established fact that TV is where it’s at. The rise of streaming just cemented that.
It’s still fun, though, to chat with creatives who have spent most of their career in film, and hear about their experiences in working on TV series. Inevitably, they must admit that working in TV was both gratifying — and perhaps the hardest thing they’ve ever done.
“Knives Out” filmmaker Rian Johnson, for example, wasn’t a stranger to TV when he started working on Peacock’s “Poker Face.
It’s still fun, though, to chat with creatives who have spent most of their career in film, and hear about their experiences in working on TV series. Inevitably, they must admit that working in TV was both gratifying — and perhaps the hardest thing they’ve ever done.
“Knives Out” filmmaker Rian Johnson, for example, wasn’t a stranger to TV when he started working on Peacock’s “Poker Face.
- 6/2/2023
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
“In a Rian Johnson show, it’s all about these little breadcrumbs,” reveals editor Glenn Garland about the secret to editing a genre-bending murder mystery like Peacock’s hit new series “Poker Face.” For our recent webchat he explains that while each episode revolves around a mystery to be solved, the show still needs to be grounded by believable performances and storylines, so “that the audience knows where they are, and that they feel like they’re in safe hands every step of the way,” adding that “the key is, if something’s heightened, you still have to believe that the character believes everything that they’re saying, and there’s not a false moment. So with editing, it’s really about calibrating everything as far as, never wanting the audience to go, ‘wait, I’m watching a show.’ You want it to be like ‘I’m living this episode...
- 4/26/2023
- by Rob Licuria
- Gold Derby
“Poker Face” is a throwback in both format and tone — an episodic murder mystery of the week series in an age of serialized storytelling that focuses on overlooked pockets of America as opposed to fantastical realms and post-apocalyptic what-ifs. With the first season over, there won’t be much like it on television for a while — at least until Season 2 premieres.
But that doesn’t mean there wasn’t more like it on television at one point. For the sake of fighting your “Poker Face” withdrawal, the Peacock series’ showrunners Nora and Lilla Zuckerman shared the shows that influenced the series’ take on the howcatchem on a recent episode of IndieWire’s Tooklit podcast.
Listen to our entire interview with Nora and Lilla Zuckerman below. To hear this and more conversations with your favorite TV and film creators, subscribe to the Toolkit podcast via Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, Spotify, or Overcast.
But that doesn’t mean there wasn’t more like it on television at one point. For the sake of fighting your “Poker Face” withdrawal, the Peacock series’ showrunners Nora and Lilla Zuckerman shared the shows that influenced the series’ take on the howcatchem on a recent episode of IndieWire’s Tooklit podcast.
Listen to our entire interview with Nora and Lilla Zuckerman below. To hear this and more conversations with your favorite TV and film creators, subscribe to the Toolkit podcast via Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, Spotify, or Overcast.
- 3/16/2023
- by Sarah Shachat
- Indiewire
Spoiler Alert: This interview contains spoilers from the “Poker Face” Season 1 finale, “The Hook,” now streaming on Peacock.
“Poker Face” revealed more about the personal life of protagonist Charlie Cale (Natasha Lyonne) than viewers learned throughout the first nine episode of Rian Johnson’s Peacock howdunit series, with the introduction of her sister Emily Cale (Clea DuVall) when Charlie needs a place to hide out after she’s accused of another murder. This is when we discover that Charlie has had a rough history with her sister, and hasn’t seen her in so long that she’s never even met her young niece, Shasta.
In a show packed with A-list guest stars, filled wi good friends and longtime collaborators of Johnson and Lyonne, DuVall landed the role of the most significant person to Charlie — a person who despises her sister’s lie-detecting talent because of the effect it had...
“Poker Face” revealed more about the personal life of protagonist Charlie Cale (Natasha Lyonne) than viewers learned throughout the first nine episode of Rian Johnson’s Peacock howdunit series, with the introduction of her sister Emily Cale (Clea DuVall) when Charlie needs a place to hide out after she’s accused of another murder. This is when we discover that Charlie has had a rough history with her sister, and hasn’t seen her in so long that she’s never even met her young niece, Shasta.
In a show packed with A-list guest stars, filled wi good friends and longtime collaborators of Johnson and Lyonne, DuVall landed the role of the most significant person to Charlie — a person who despises her sister’s lie-detecting talent because of the effect it had...
- 3/9/2023
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
[This story contains major spoilers to the season one finale of Poker Face, “The Hook.”]
The hook brings you back.
Going into the finale of Poker Face, showrunners Nora and Lilla Zuckerman had warned The Hollywood Reporter to keep an eye out for all of the “hooks.” And that Easter egg hint panned out with the March 9 season one conclusion to the murder mystery series.
First, the title of the episode is “The Hook.” Then, after Benjamin Bratt’s casino fixer Cliff finally catches Natasha Lyonne’s Charlie Cale — who has been on the run since the premiere and has been making weekly pit-stops to solve murders — he recites to her the lyrics of Blues Traveler’s “Hook.” Viewers will even notice Steven Spielberg’s 1991 classic Hook playing in the background when Charlie reunites with her estranged sister (played by Clea DuVall) after she’s framed for murder in Atlantic City, N.J.
So, what’s with all of the hooks?...
The hook brings you back.
Going into the finale of Poker Face, showrunners Nora and Lilla Zuckerman had warned The Hollywood Reporter to keep an eye out for all of the “hooks.” And that Easter egg hint panned out with the March 9 season one conclusion to the murder mystery series.
First, the title of the episode is “The Hook.” Then, after Benjamin Bratt’s casino fixer Cliff finally catches Natasha Lyonne’s Charlie Cale — who has been on the run since the premiere and has been making weekly pit-stops to solve murders — he recites to her the lyrics of Blues Traveler’s “Hook.” Viewers will even notice Steven Spielberg’s 1991 classic Hook playing in the background when Charlie reunites with her estranged sister (played by Clea DuVall) after she’s framed for murder in Atlantic City, N.J.
So, what’s with all of the hooks?...
- 3/9/2023
- by Jackie Strause
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Spoiler Alert: This interview contains spoilers from the “Poker Face” Season 1 finale, “The Hook,” now streaming on Peacock.
Benjamin Bratt sucked it in like Rin Tin Tin or Anne Boleyn to shoot one standout scene in the Season 1 finale of “Poker Face.” The bit in question featured a poetic recitation of the entire third verse (and one line of the hook) of Blues Traveler’s 1994 earworm “Hook” by Bratt’s character, Cliff Legrand, to Natasha Lyonne’s Charlie Cale while taking her back for judgement by his boss, casino mogul Sterling Frost Sr.
Why does he do this (an act that makes Charlie call him “the fucking worst”)? Only “Poker Face” creator Rian Johnson really knows for sure — but Bratt, Lyonne and “Poker Face” showrunners Nora and Lilla Zuckerman were all on board with the idea once the “Knives Out” and “Glass Onion” filmmaker wrote it into Episode 10, aptly titled “The Hook.
Benjamin Bratt sucked it in like Rin Tin Tin or Anne Boleyn to shoot one standout scene in the Season 1 finale of “Poker Face.” The bit in question featured a poetic recitation of the entire third verse (and one line of the hook) of Blues Traveler’s 1994 earworm “Hook” by Bratt’s character, Cliff Legrand, to Natasha Lyonne’s Charlie Cale while taking her back for judgement by his boss, casino mogul Sterling Frost Sr.
Why does he do this (an act that makes Charlie call him “the fucking worst”)? Only “Poker Face” creator Rian Johnson really knows for sure — but Bratt, Lyonne and “Poker Face” showrunners Nora and Lilla Zuckerman were all on board with the idea once the “Knives Out” and “Glass Onion” filmmaker wrote it into Episode 10, aptly titled “The Hook.
- 3/9/2023
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
This article contains spoilers for "Poker Face."
The penultimate episode of "Poker Face" season 1, "Escape From S*** Mountain," saw our favorite lie-detector Charlie Cale (Natasha Lyonne) avenge three murders and narrowly escape an early grave herself.
This episode is also the third and final episode that creator Rian Johnson personally directed this season. Johnson wears his filmmaking influences on his sleeve, like how "The Last Jedi" includes a casino-set crane shot homaging 1927 silent classic "Wings." Johnson is also the first director to get a "Vertigo" dolly-zoom into a "Star Wars" movie. "Brick" and The Benoit Blanc series are loving homages to mystery fiction of all sorts, and eagle-eyed viewers of "Knives Out" might have noticed a sly reference to Anthony Shaffer's "Sleuth."
Johnson's directing "Escape from S*** Mountain" demonstrates the same overflowing, omnivorous love for cinema that his film work does. That love again manifests in homage, both in...
The penultimate episode of "Poker Face" season 1, "Escape From S*** Mountain," saw our favorite lie-detector Charlie Cale (Natasha Lyonne) avenge three murders and narrowly escape an early grave herself.
This episode is also the third and final episode that creator Rian Johnson personally directed this season. Johnson wears his filmmaking influences on his sleeve, like how "The Last Jedi" includes a casino-set crane shot homaging 1927 silent classic "Wings." Johnson is also the first director to get a "Vertigo" dolly-zoom into a "Star Wars" movie. "Brick" and The Benoit Blanc series are loving homages to mystery fiction of all sorts, and eagle-eyed viewers of "Knives Out" might have noticed a sly reference to Anthony Shaffer's "Sleuth."
Johnson's directing "Escape from S*** Mountain" demonstrates the same overflowing, omnivorous love for cinema that his film work does. That love again manifests in homage, both in...
- 3/7/2023
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
[This story contains spoilers to the penultimate episode of season one of Poker Face, “Escape From Shit Mountain.”]
By the time Poker Face viewers hit play on “Escape From Shit Mountain,” the audience for the Natasha Lyonne-starring murder mystery series knows what to expect: There will be a murder, and Charlie Cale (Lyonne) needs to solve it.
But, what happens when the target is Charlie Cale?
The ninth and penultimate episode in the first season of the hit Peacock series created by Rian Johnson plays with the show’s howcatchem format, bending its own rules the most yet. There have been surprises in previous episodes (“The Future of the Sport” saw zero deaths, while last week’s installment, “The Orpheus Syndrome,” claimed three fatalities). But none have put the show’s protagonist closer to death’s door than “Escape From Shit Mountain.”
“We have always endeavored to stay true to our structure and to our formula, but find new ways to tell a story in there,...
By the time Poker Face viewers hit play on “Escape From Shit Mountain,” the audience for the Natasha Lyonne-starring murder mystery series knows what to expect: There will be a murder, and Charlie Cale (Lyonne) needs to solve it.
But, what happens when the target is Charlie Cale?
The ninth and penultimate episode in the first season of the hit Peacock series created by Rian Johnson plays with the show’s howcatchem format, bending its own rules the most yet. There have been surprises in previous episodes (“The Future of the Sport” saw zero deaths, while last week’s installment, “The Orpheus Syndrome,” claimed three fatalities). But none have put the show’s protagonist closer to death’s door than “Escape From Shit Mountain.”
“We have always endeavored to stay true to our structure and to our formula, but find new ways to tell a story in there,...
- 3/3/2023
- by Jackie Strause
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Peacock has an ace up its sleeve with Rian Johnson‘s Poker Face.
The series jumped to No. 2 on Nielsen’s U.S. streaming originals list for the week of January 30 to February 5 with 641M minutes viewed. That’s up from the 547M viewing minutes it managed in its first week on Peacock, with its four-episode debut.
The No. 1 spot on the streaming originals list once again went to Ginny & Georgia, though it’s worth nothing that the Netflix series had 20 available episodes to help bolster its 900M viewing minutes for the week.
In terms of average audience, Poker Face takes the top spot since the series only had five episodes available at the time.
Poker Face, which hails from MRC and T-Street and stars Natasha Lyonne, scored an early Season 2 renewal in February. New episodes of Season 1 are currently debuting every Thursday through March 9. This week’s episode is directed by Johnson.
The series jumped to No. 2 on Nielsen’s U.S. streaming originals list for the week of January 30 to February 5 with 641M minutes viewed. That’s up from the 547M viewing minutes it managed in its first week on Peacock, with its four-episode debut.
The No. 1 spot on the streaming originals list once again went to Ginny & Georgia, though it’s worth nothing that the Netflix series had 20 available episodes to help bolster its 900M viewing minutes for the week.
In terms of average audience, Poker Face takes the top spot since the series only had five episodes available at the time.
Poker Face, which hails from MRC and T-Street and stars Natasha Lyonne, scored an early Season 2 renewal in February. New episodes of Season 1 are currently debuting every Thursday through March 9. This week’s episode is directed by Johnson.
- 3/2/2023
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
[This story contains major spoilers to the penultimate episode in season one of Poker Face, “Escape From Shit Mountain.”]
After delighting audiences with his unsuspecting cameos, Joseph Gordon-Levitt finally steps back into Rian Johnson’s frame on Poker Face.
Since starring in Johnson’s directorial debut, the 2005 indie movie Brick, the actor has appeared in every movie Johnson has helmed. In addition to his starring role in 2012’s Looper, the Johnson favorite has made harder-to-spot cameos, including his secret role of Slowen-Lo in Star Wars: The Last Jedi and two voice roles in the Knives Out films — including the sound of “the Hourly Dong,” which goes off every hour in the Edward Norton-starring sequel, Glass Onion.
For the penultimate episode of Poker Face‘s first season, Gordon-Levitt was able to take on a starring guest role for the pivotal installment, “Escape From Shit Mountain,” which was written by showrunners Nora and Lilla Zuckerman and directed by Johnson.
“Finally, the schedule worked out,...
After delighting audiences with his unsuspecting cameos, Joseph Gordon-Levitt finally steps back into Rian Johnson’s frame on Poker Face.
Since starring in Johnson’s directorial debut, the 2005 indie movie Brick, the actor has appeared in every movie Johnson has helmed. In addition to his starring role in 2012’s Looper, the Johnson favorite has made harder-to-spot cameos, including his secret role of Slowen-Lo in Star Wars: The Last Jedi and two voice roles in the Knives Out films — including the sound of “the Hourly Dong,” which goes off every hour in the Edward Norton-starring sequel, Glass Onion.
For the penultimate episode of Poker Face‘s first season, Gordon-Levitt was able to take on a starring guest role for the pivotal installment, “Escape From Shit Mountain,” which was written by showrunners Nora and Lilla Zuckerman and directed by Johnson.
“Finally, the schedule worked out,...
- 3/2/2023
- by Jackie Strause
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In the blink of an eye, the so-called “Streaming Wars” went from empowering creators to creating more financial insecurity for them. Streaming services like Netflix and HBO Max were once praised for providing more buyers for quality content, but recent trends have seen them scrapping completed projects and removing their own shows to avoid paying royalties as they all struggle to attain profitability.
The penny-pinching approach now prevalent among streamers has attracted some notable critics, including “Glass Onion” director Rian Johnson. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Johnson called out the practice of streamers pulling films and shows (that they themselves produced) from their libraries.
“It’s been horrifying,” Johnson said. “The fact that it’s becoming common practice is terrible and adds to the awfulness. In the history of the business, there has been a constant evolution of horrible things.”
Still, Johnson advised creators to focus on their work and...
The penny-pinching approach now prevalent among streamers has attracted some notable critics, including “Glass Onion” director Rian Johnson. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Johnson called out the practice of streamers pulling films and shows (that they themselves produced) from their libraries.
“It’s been horrifying,” Johnson said. “The fact that it’s becoming common practice is terrible and adds to the awfulness. In the history of the business, there has been a constant evolution of horrible things.”
Still, Johnson advised creators to focus on their work and...
- 2/25/2023
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
No lie, “Poker Face” will enter the Emmy awards race as a comedy. The show is an hour-long whodunit but also contains plenty of comedic elements, which is why Peacock has decided to enter it in that lane. News comes as awards consultants across town make the final decision on where to place their programs, as the Television Academy officially opens this year’s Emmy submissions starting Feb. 21.
For example, on Friday, Variety exclusively reported that HBO’s “The White Lotus” would submit in the drama space, after the TV Academy ruled that it no longer qualified as a limited series (due to the return of star Jennifer Coolidge)
In the case of “Poker Face,” the decision to enter in comedy comes as the show continues earn strong reviews from critics. “Poker Face” is currently “99% certified fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite its whodunit nature, insiders note that Lyonne is widely...
For example, on Friday, Variety exclusively reported that HBO’s “The White Lotus” would submit in the drama space, after the TV Academy ruled that it no longer qualified as a limited series (due to the return of star Jennifer Coolidge)
In the case of “Poker Face,” the decision to enter in comedy comes as the show continues earn strong reviews from critics. “Poker Face” is currently “99% certified fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite its whodunit nature, insiders note that Lyonne is widely...
- 2/21/2023
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Natasha Lyonne as Charlie Cale in ‘Poker Face’ season 1 episode 5 (Photo by: Phillip Caruso / Peacock)
Peacock’s renewed one of the best new shows of the season, confirming Poker Face will return for season two. The mystery series, which currently sits at 99 fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, follows Charlie Cale (Natasha Lyonne) as she travels around the U.S., taking odd jobs and attempting to keep one step ahead of an angry Vegas casino owner. At each stop, she becomes embroiled in a murder investigation.
The popular dramedy was created by Rian Johnson (Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery), with Johnson writing, directing, and executive producing. Nora Zuckerman and Lilla Zuckerman are the showrunners and also serve as executive producers along with Natasha Lyonne, Nena Rodrigue, Ram Bergman, and Iain B. MacDonald.
“Poker Face is one of those rare, undeniable shows that we all fell in love with from the start,...
Peacock’s renewed one of the best new shows of the season, confirming Poker Face will return for season two. The mystery series, which currently sits at 99 fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, follows Charlie Cale (Natasha Lyonne) as she travels around the U.S., taking odd jobs and attempting to keep one step ahead of an angry Vegas casino owner. At each stop, she becomes embroiled in a murder investigation.
The popular dramedy was created by Rian Johnson (Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery), with Johnson writing, directing, and executive producing. Nora Zuckerman and Lilla Zuckerman are the showrunners and also serve as executive producers along with Natasha Lyonne, Nena Rodrigue, Ram Bergman, and Iain B. MacDonald.
“Poker Face is one of those rare, undeniable shows that we all fell in love with from the start,...
- 2/15/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Peacock is going all in. The streaming service has renewed “Poker Face,” Rian Johnson and Natasha Lyonne’s retro mystery-of-the-week dramedy, for a second season. The pickup comes while Season 1 is still rolling out. It premiered on January 26 and will reach its finale on March 9.
“Poker Face” is inspired by mystery procedurals of the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s like “Murder, She Wrote,” “The Rockford Files,” and especially “Columbo.” It follows Charlie Cale (Lyonne), a woman with a preternatural ability to tell when someone is lying, as she travels around the country getting pulled into mysteries her sense of justice forces her to solve. She’s on the run from casino boss Sterling Frost Sr. (Ron Perlman), whose henchman Cliff LeGrand (Benjamin Bratt) is pursuing her.. The series uses a “howcatchem” format, where the audience sees the crime committed and then watches Charlie use her detective abilities to catch the perp.
“Poker Face” is inspired by mystery procedurals of the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s like “Murder, She Wrote,” “The Rockford Files,” and especially “Columbo.” It follows Charlie Cale (Lyonne), a woman with a preternatural ability to tell when someone is lying, as she travels around the country getting pulled into mysteries her sense of justice forces her to solve. She’s on the run from casino boss Sterling Frost Sr. (Ron Perlman), whose henchman Cliff LeGrand (Benjamin Bratt) is pursuing her.. The series uses a “howcatchem” format, where the audience sees the crime committed and then watches Charlie use her detective abilities to catch the perp.
- 2/15/2023
- by Liam Mathews
- Gold Derby
Natasha Lyonne will be on the road a bit longer. “Poker Face,” the Peacock case-of-the-week series starring the “Russian Doll” actor, has been renewed for Season 2.
The news was announced Wednesday, less than a month after the series premiered its first four episodes on the NBCUniversal streamer to critical acclaim. Season 1 of the series consists of 10 episodes, with the finale set to debut on March 9.
“’Poker Face’ is one of those rare, undeniable shows that we all fell in love with from the start, but the critical acclaim and viewer response has been beyond our wildest dreams,” Susan Rovner, chairman of entertainment content at NBCUniversal television and streaming, said in a statement. “Working alongside the creative genius of Rian Johnson, Natasha Lyonne and Ram Bergman, along with our partners at MRC and T-Street, has been a spectacular ride, and we can’t wait to hit the road for another season...
The news was announced Wednesday, less than a month after the series premiered its first four episodes on the NBCUniversal streamer to critical acclaim. Season 1 of the series consists of 10 episodes, with the finale set to debut on March 9.
“’Poker Face’ is one of those rare, undeniable shows that we all fell in love with from the start, but the critical acclaim and viewer response has been beyond our wildest dreams,” Susan Rovner, chairman of entertainment content at NBCUniversal television and streaming, said in a statement. “Working alongside the creative genius of Rian Johnson, Natasha Lyonne and Ram Bergman, along with our partners at MRC and T-Street, has been a spectacular ride, and we can’t wait to hit the road for another season...
- 2/15/2023
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
No bullshit here: Poker Face is returning for a second season.
The Peacock series created by Rian Johnson and starring Natasha Lyonne has been renewed at the streamer. The renewal comes as the first season of the T-Street and MRC Television series is rolling out, heading toward its March 9 finale. A season two premiere date has yet to be announced.
The murder mystery drama follows Lyonne as Charlie Cale, a Columbo-inspired murder-solving fugitive who, thanks to her special ability of being able to identify when someone is lying, is consistently calling “bullshit” on the homicidal liars she encounters.
The series experimented with the release format by dropping four episodes at once, followed by a weekly Thursday release of its 10-episode first season. Each episode functions as a stand-alone murder mystery — complete with a new location and cast — with Charlie (Lyonne) anchoring the series as it follows her on the...
The Peacock series created by Rian Johnson and starring Natasha Lyonne has been renewed at the streamer. The renewal comes as the first season of the T-Street and MRC Television series is rolling out, heading toward its March 9 finale. A season two premiere date has yet to be announced.
The murder mystery drama follows Lyonne as Charlie Cale, a Columbo-inspired murder-solving fugitive who, thanks to her special ability of being able to identify when someone is lying, is consistently calling “bullshit” on the homicidal liars she encounters.
The series experimented with the release format by dropping four episodes at once, followed by a weekly Thursday release of its 10-episode first season. Each episode functions as a stand-alone murder mystery — complete with a new location and cast — with Charlie (Lyonne) anchoring the series as it follows her on the...
- 2/15/2023
- by Jackie Strause
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Poker Face” will return for Season 2. Rian Johnson’s acclaimed mystery-of-the-week series has been renewed for a second season at Peacock.
“Poker Face,” which marks Rian Johnson and Ram Bergman’s first television series, stars Natasha Lyonne, who also executive produces under her production banner Animal Pictures, as Charlie Cale, whose knack for knowing when someone is lying prompts her to unravel mysterious crimes as she travels cross-country in her Plymouth Barracuda.
“‘Poker Face’ is one of those rare, undeniable shows that we all fell in love with from the start, but the critical acclaim and viewer response has been beyond our wildest dreams,” NBCUniversal Television and Streaming Chairman of Entertainment Content Susan Rovner said. “Working alongside the creative genius of Rian Johnson, Natasha Lyonne and Ram Bergman, along with our partners at MRC and T-Street, has been a spectacular ride, and we can’t wait to hit the road...
“Poker Face,” which marks Rian Johnson and Ram Bergman’s first television series, stars Natasha Lyonne, who also executive produces under her production banner Animal Pictures, as Charlie Cale, whose knack for knowing when someone is lying prompts her to unravel mysterious crimes as she travels cross-country in her Plymouth Barracuda.
“‘Poker Face’ is one of those rare, undeniable shows that we all fell in love with from the start, but the critical acclaim and viewer response has been beyond our wildest dreams,” NBCUniversal Television and Streaming Chairman of Entertainment Content Susan Rovner said. “Working alongside the creative genius of Rian Johnson, Natasha Lyonne and Ram Bergman, along with our partners at MRC and T-Street, has been a spectacular ride, and we can’t wait to hit the road...
- 2/15/2023
- by Loree Seitz
- The Wrap
Peacock is in for another hand of “Poker Face.” The series has been renewed for a second season, NBCUniversal’s streamer announced Wednesday morning.
The first season of “Poker Face” debuted on Jan. 26, earning strong reviews for Natasha Lyonne’s lead performance as sleuth Charlie Cale and creator Rian Johnson’s throwback take on the case-of-the-week mystery format. Variety chief television critic Daniel D’Addario praised the series, saying it “allows an established star the time and space to crack a new sort of case, that of how to evolve a familiar persona and bring fans along for the ride.”
“’Poker Face’ is one of those rare, undeniable shows that we all fell in love with from the start, but the critical acclaim and viewer response has been beyond our wildest dreams,” said Susan Rovner, chairman of entertainment content for television and streaming at NBCUniversal. “Working alongside the creative genius of Rian Johnson,...
The first season of “Poker Face” debuted on Jan. 26, earning strong reviews for Natasha Lyonne’s lead performance as sleuth Charlie Cale and creator Rian Johnson’s throwback take on the case-of-the-week mystery format. Variety chief television critic Daniel D’Addario praised the series, saying it “allows an established star the time and space to crack a new sort of case, that of how to evolve a familiar persona and bring fans along for the ride.”
“’Poker Face’ is one of those rare, undeniable shows that we all fell in love with from the start, but the critical acclaim and viewer response has been beyond our wildest dreams,” said Susan Rovner, chairman of entertainment content for television and streaming at NBCUniversal. “Working alongside the creative genius of Rian Johnson,...
- 2/15/2023
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
No lies detected here. Rian Johnson‘s Poker Face has been renewed for a second season at Peacock.
Season 1 of the case-of-the-week mystery series starring Natasha Lyonne is currently airing on the streamer with new episodes every Thursday through March 9. Next week’s episode, titled “The Orpheus Syndrome,” was co-written and directed by Lyonne.
The 10 episodes follow Lyonne’s Charlie, who has an extraordinary ability to determine when someone is lying. She hits the road with her Plymouth Barracuda and with every stop encounters a new cast of characters and strange crimes she can’t help but solve.
“Poker Face is one of those rare, undeniable shows that we all fell in love with from the start, but the critical acclaim and viewer response has been beyond our wildest dreams,” said Susan Rovner, Chairman, Entertainment Content, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. “Working alongside the creative genius of Rian Johnson, Natasha Lyonne and Ram Bergman,...
Season 1 of the case-of-the-week mystery series starring Natasha Lyonne is currently airing on the streamer with new episodes every Thursday through March 9. Next week’s episode, titled “The Orpheus Syndrome,” was co-written and directed by Lyonne.
The 10 episodes follow Lyonne’s Charlie, who has an extraordinary ability to determine when someone is lying. She hits the road with her Plymouth Barracuda and with every stop encounters a new cast of characters and strange crimes she can’t help but solve.
“Poker Face is one of those rare, undeniable shows that we all fell in love with from the start, but the critical acclaim and viewer response has been beyond our wildest dreams,” said Susan Rovner, Chairman, Entertainment Content, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. “Working alongside the creative genius of Rian Johnson, Natasha Lyonne and Ram Bergman,...
- 2/15/2023
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
On the run from a ruthless Las Vegas casino owner and his fixer, Charlie Cale (Natasha Lyonne) hits the road and winds up everywhere from the New Mexico desert to Kenosha dive bars in “Poker Face,” using her unerring ability to spot a lie to solve the murders she routinely stumbles into. Peacock’s mystery-of-the-week series did take advantage of the New Mexico sun to shoot Episode 2 and some exterior sequences, but ironically once Charlie hits the road, landing in a new two every week, “Poker Face” itself stayed rooted in upstate New York. That left the burden of turning the Hudson Valley into different states with production designer Judy Rhee.
Rhee disguises the series’ home base into convincing facsimiles of the Southwest, the Rockies, the Midwest, and beyond, but she had little time to do it. “It was actually less than two weeks; it was every 10 days that we were shooting [a new episode],” Rhee told IndieWire.
Rhee disguises the series’ home base into convincing facsimiles of the Southwest, the Rockies, the Midwest, and beyond, but she had little time to do it. “It was actually less than two weeks; it was every 10 days that we were shooting [a new episode],” Rhee told IndieWire.
- 2/10/2023
- by Sarah Shachat
- Indiewire
[This story contains spoilers from the sixth episode of Poker Face, “Exit Stage Death.”]
When looking ahead at what was to come on Poker Face, co-showrunners Nora and Lilla Zuckerman had said that an upcoming episode involving a fake play within an episode was their toughest stand-alone murder mystery story to crack.
That episode, titled “Exit Stage Death” and starring Ellen Barkin and Tim Meadows, released Thursday as the sixth installment in the Rian Johnson Peacock series starring Natasha Lyonne. And, as was teased by the Zuckermans, the murder of Jameela Jamil’s character, who plays the onscreen wife to Meadows, involved many moving parts.
The theatrical episode sees former sitcom icons Kathleen (Barkin) and Michael (Meadows) reuniting for a one-night-only stage event, and it involved the carefully plotted murder of Michael’s uber-rich wife Ava (Jamil), who fell to her death through a trap door intended to be Kathleen’s showstopping final act. The parody production, called The Ghosts of Pensacola,...
When looking ahead at what was to come on Poker Face, co-showrunners Nora and Lilla Zuckerman had said that an upcoming episode involving a fake play within an episode was their toughest stand-alone murder mystery story to crack.
That episode, titled “Exit Stage Death” and starring Ellen Barkin and Tim Meadows, released Thursday as the sixth installment in the Rian Johnson Peacock series starring Natasha Lyonne. And, as was teased by the Zuckermans, the murder of Jameela Jamil’s character, who plays the onscreen wife to Meadows, involved many moving parts.
The theatrical episode sees former sitcom icons Kathleen (Barkin) and Michael (Meadows) reuniting for a one-night-only stage event, and it involved the carefully plotted murder of Michael’s uber-rich wife Ava (Jamil), who fell to her death through a trap door intended to be Kathleen’s showstopping final act. The parody production, called The Ghosts of Pensacola,...
- 2/10/2023
- by Jackie Strause
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Charlie Cale is bringing her “bullshit” meter to the Super Bowl.
In a spot that will air during the 2023 Super Bowl, Natasha Lyonne’s character from Peacock’s Poker Face is riffing on some of the ads that precede her big game debut. Designed to make it seem like Charlie is weighing in on the ads in real time, the Poker Face ad, directed by by Dan Opsal Of Hungry Man Productions, partnered with M&Ms and Google Pixel for what is being debuted as a “meta” spin on advertising.
The ad features Charlie in a bar watching the game, along with another patron, who is curious about her special ability to be able to call out when someone isn’t telling the truth. He asks her about a beer ad, along with the Pixel and M&m ads, that will air before the spot during the match-up between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.
In a spot that will air during the 2023 Super Bowl, Natasha Lyonne’s character from Peacock’s Poker Face is riffing on some of the ads that precede her big game debut. Designed to make it seem like Charlie is weighing in on the ads in real time, the Poker Face ad, directed by by Dan Opsal Of Hungry Man Productions, partnered with M&Ms and Google Pixel for what is being debuted as a “meta” spin on advertising.
The ad features Charlie in a bar watching the game, along with another patron, who is curious about her special ability to be able to call out when someone isn’t telling the truth. He asks her about a beer ad, along with the Pixel and M&m ads, that will air before the spot during the match-up between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.
- 2/9/2023
- by Jackie Strause
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Spoiler Alert: This interview contains spoilers from “Poker Face” Episode 5, now streaming on Peacock.
Following last week’s launch of four premise-setting episodes of Rian Johnson and Natasha Lyonne’s “Poker Face,” the new Peacock mystery series went in a drastically different direction for Episode 5, with murderers who don’t seem like the villains — until they do.
Guest-starring Judith Light and S. Epatha Merkerson as Irene Smothers and Joyce Harris, respectively, the episode, titled “Time of the Monkey,” follows the two retirement-home residents and life-long besties with a solid free-spirit streak who become friends with human lie-detector Charlie Cale (Lyonne) while she’s working in their community for her latest on-the-run gig.
“You want her to be friends with these cool women and be ride or die with them — and instead they break her heart. And it’s really hard for her,” co-showrunner Nora Zuckerman told Variety.
Charlie is completely...
Following last week’s launch of four premise-setting episodes of Rian Johnson and Natasha Lyonne’s “Poker Face,” the new Peacock mystery series went in a drastically different direction for Episode 5, with murderers who don’t seem like the villains — until they do.
Guest-starring Judith Light and S. Epatha Merkerson as Irene Smothers and Joyce Harris, respectively, the episode, titled “Time of the Monkey,” follows the two retirement-home residents and life-long besties with a solid free-spirit streak who become friends with human lie-detector Charlie Cale (Lyonne) while she’s working in their community for her latest on-the-run gig.
“You want her to be friends with these cool women and be ride or die with them — and instead they break her heart. And it’s really hard for her,” co-showrunner Nora Zuckerman told Variety.
Charlie is completely...
- 2/2/2023
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
It didn’t take much for Rian Johnson to pitch Natasha Lyonne on the series that would become “Poker Face.” As the writer and director recalls, he said something to the effect of “What about a show in this mode, starring you?” Lyonne was in.
“The show is made for her like a bespoke suit,” Johnson told IndieWire via Zoom. “She’s not just the star of it, she’s a collaborator from the very, very beginning. She also co-wrote and directed one of the episodes and she’s very, very much… she is the show with me. The two of us really built the house together.”
The Peacock series stars Lyonne as Charlie, a woman who innately knows when someone is lying. After a mysterious discovery leads to the death of her best friend (Dascha Polanco) in Las Vegas, Charlie ends up on the run from casino boss Sterling...
“The show is made for her like a bespoke suit,” Johnson told IndieWire via Zoom. “She’s not just the star of it, she’s a collaborator from the very, very beginning. She also co-wrote and directed one of the episodes and she’s very, very much… she is the show with me. The two of us really built the house together.”
The Peacock series stars Lyonne as Charlie, a woman who innately knows when someone is lying. After a mysterious discovery leads to the death of her best friend (Dascha Polanco) in Las Vegas, Charlie ends up on the run from casino boss Sterling...
- 1/26/2023
- by Proma Khosla
- Indiewire
This article contains spoilers for Poker Face episode 1.
Technology, for as great as it can be, has also taken some much-needed mystery out of life. Gone are the days when a joyful barstool argument about the name of a certain actor would extend into the wee hours of the night as a quick trip to IMDb will always swiftly settle the matter.
Perhaps that’s why detective stories, once a mainstay on television, have largely fallen by the wayside in favor of big franchises, bingeable streaming dramas, and easy-going sitcoms. The humble cellphone, though a useful tool, is also a story-killer waiting to happen. That’s why when Poker Face, the Natasha Lyonne-starring series on Peacock about an investigator with a nose for the truth, wanted to bring back a sense of Columbo fun to television, it knew exactly what to do.
“We actually had a joke in the writers room.
Technology, for as great as it can be, has also taken some much-needed mystery out of life. Gone are the days when a joyful barstool argument about the name of a certain actor would extend into the wee hours of the night as a quick trip to IMDb will always swiftly settle the matter.
Perhaps that’s why detective stories, once a mainstay on television, have largely fallen by the wayside in favor of big franchises, bingeable streaming dramas, and easy-going sitcoms. The humble cellphone, though a useful tool, is also a story-killer waiting to happen. That’s why when Poker Face, the Natasha Lyonne-starring series on Peacock about an investigator with a nose for the truth, wanted to bring back a sense of Columbo fun to television, it knew exactly what to do.
“We actually had a joke in the writers room.
- 1/26/2023
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
Let’s put our cards on the table: Almost three years after Peacock launched, the Comcast-owned streamer finally has a legitimate potential breakout show in Natasha Lyonne and Rian Johnson’s Poker Face.
Debuting with four episodes Friday and then dropping the rest of its 10-episode first season weekly, the one-hour drama could prove the dramatic reset the sports-focused Peacock has needed since day one.
Part of that is clearly the combined star power and skills of the Russian Doll star and the Knives Out director, along with a wonderfully villainous Benjamin Bratt and an old-school awards-show phalanx of guest stars. True to the talent on both sides of the camera, Poker Face’s winning hand has a lot to do with how well-crafted and constructed it is.
However, besides a beat-up Plymouth Barracuda, Rockford Files trailer home homages and all, the wider appeal of Poker Face is that...
Debuting with four episodes Friday and then dropping the rest of its 10-episode first season weekly, the one-hour drama could prove the dramatic reset the sports-focused Peacock has needed since day one.
Part of that is clearly the combined star power and skills of the Russian Doll star and the Knives Out director, along with a wonderfully villainous Benjamin Bratt and an old-school awards-show phalanx of guest stars. True to the talent on both sides of the camera, Poker Face’s winning hand has a lot to do with how well-crafted and constructed it is.
However, besides a beat-up Plymouth Barracuda, Rockford Files trailer home homages and all, the wider appeal of Poker Face is that...
- 1/25/2023
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
With a good portion of contemporary television obsessed with reboots, reimaginings, and revivals, it’s somewhat odd that that same amount of energy isn’t necessarily given to series that function more as homages and pastiches that also maintain their own singularity. But as writer-director Rian Johnson proves with his Peacock series “Poker Face,” that is arguably a more refreshing approach to the form — using a familiar structure to create a new, unique story.
Johnson has made perfectly clear just how much “Poker Face” series is an homage to classic procedurals like “Columbo,” “Murder, She Wrote,” and “Magnum P.I.,” specifically telling a new “whydunnit” story with each episode that throws back to the ’70s and ’80s but is set in modern day. And alongside series showrunners Nora and Lilla Zuckerman, Johnson absolutely succeeds, to the point that — early on — it’s sometimes jarring to even see a cellphone or a vape pen in the series.
Johnson has made perfectly clear just how much “Poker Face” series is an homage to classic procedurals like “Columbo,” “Murder, She Wrote,” and “Magnum P.I.,” specifically telling a new “whydunnit” story with each episode that throws back to the ’70s and ’80s but is set in modern day. And alongside series showrunners Nora and Lilla Zuckerman, Johnson absolutely succeeds, to the point that — early on — it’s sometimes jarring to even see a cellphone or a vape pen in the series.
- 1/25/2023
- by LaToya Ferguson
- The Wrap
In 2023 TV terms, it’s hard to say which represents the bigger artistic risk: a half-hour dramedy featuring temporal disruptions, Jewish mysticism and Harry Nilsson, or an hour-long faithful reproduction — right down to the title font — of the sort of character-driven crime procedurals that were popular in the ’70s and ’80s and definitely aren’t in vogue today.
Let’s just say that Natasha Lyonne doesn’t play it safe. Less than a year after launching the surprisingly solid second season of Netflix’s Russian Doll, Lyonne is back on the small screen as star and executive producer of Peacock’s Poker Face, from creator Rian Johnson and showrunners Nora and Lilla Zuckerman.
The format for Poker Face is so apparently strange and off-putting — a show with standalone mysteries… on streaming… in this economy? — that even Peacock doesn’t quite know how to handle it, launching the series with a...
Let’s just say that Natasha Lyonne doesn’t play it safe. Less than a year after launching the surprisingly solid second season of Netflix’s Russian Doll, Lyonne is back on the small screen as star and executive producer of Peacock’s Poker Face, from creator Rian Johnson and showrunners Nora and Lilla Zuckerman.
The format for Poker Face is so apparently strange and off-putting — a show with standalone mysteries… on streaming… in this economy? — that even Peacock doesn’t quite know how to handle it, launching the series with a...
- 1/25/2023
- by Daniel Fienberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
As Rian Johnson has quickly become Hollywood’s go-to mystery mind, the Knives Out and Glass Onion filmmaker is expanding from the “whodunit” to the “howcatchem” with Peacock’s Poker Face.
The 10-episode series stars Natasha Lyonne as Charlie, who has a special ability to determine when someone is lying and uses the skill to solve the strange crimes that come across her path. The show is a return to a mystery-of-the-week format — featuring a mostly new cast and wrapped-up story in each episode — and began with casual conversations between Johnson and Lyonne about how much they missed that era of TV.
“We’d been talking about it but then he actually put pen to paper, which I always think about as just about the most generous and loving act that we can do. It’s really like writing someone a song or something, like, ‘Oh shit, you’re all the way in.
The 10-episode series stars Natasha Lyonne as Charlie, who has a special ability to determine when someone is lying and uses the skill to solve the strange crimes that come across her path. The show is a return to a mystery-of-the-week format — featuring a mostly new cast and wrapped-up story in each episode — and began with casual conversations between Johnson and Lyonne about how much they missed that era of TV.
“We’d been talking about it but then he actually put pen to paper, which I always think about as just about the most generous and loving act that we can do. It’s really like writing someone a song or something, like, ‘Oh shit, you’re all the way in.
- 1/18/2023
- by Kirsten Chuba
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
During the course of reporting a feature on Peacock’s delightful upcoming mystery series Poker Face, we got far more material from creator Rian Johnson and star Natasha Lyonne than could comfortably fit. So as a bonus, we’re giving you some highlights from the rest of our conversations. First up is Johnson, who produced Poker Face Season One — including writing and/or directing multiple episodes — at the same time he was in post-production on Glass Onion.
Below, Johnson talks about why every detective show is secretly a hangout show,...
Below, Johnson talks about why every detective show is secretly a hangout show,...
- 1/17/2023
- by Alan Sepinwall
- Rollingstone.com
Now that Rian Johnson has discovered television, the future of the “Knives Out” franchise is in big trouble.
Ok, so not really. But the red-hot “Glass Onion” writer-director told a gathering of TV critics on Sunday that his experience creating and writing the upcoming Peacock series “Poker Face” was “much more fun” than penning feature-length screenplays, like “Looper,” “Brick,” and presumably the “Star Wars” stuff.
Johnson has directed television before, notably the classic “Ozymandias” episode of “Breaking Bad” Season 5, but he had never created a series before “Poker Face” — so he never really spent time in a writers room. The collaborative experience beat the hell out of the solitude that came with his movie work.
“I honestly had a blast,” Johnson said at NBCUniversal’s Television Critics Association winter press tour day. “Writing in terms of my own features where I just sit in a room and eat horribly and...
Ok, so not really. But the red-hot “Glass Onion” writer-director told a gathering of TV critics on Sunday that his experience creating and writing the upcoming Peacock series “Poker Face” was “much more fun” than penning feature-length screenplays, like “Looper,” “Brick,” and presumably the “Star Wars” stuff.
Johnson has directed television before, notably the classic “Ozymandias” episode of “Breaking Bad” Season 5, but he had never created a series before “Poker Face” — so he never really spent time in a writers room. The collaborative experience beat the hell out of the solitude that came with his movie work.
“I honestly had a blast,” Johnson said at NBCUniversal’s Television Critics Association winter press tour day. “Writing in terms of my own features where I just sit in a room and eat horribly and...
- 1/15/2023
- by Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
Poker Face, Rian Johnson’s drama series starring Natasha Lyonne as a human bullsh*t detector, wasn’t conceived as a limited series and the Knives Out filmmaker said there are “endless possibilities” to continue in success.
Lyonne stars as Charlie, an effortlessly cool, cheap beer drinking woman with a preternatural ability to solve crimes. After a casino boss seeks her out to use her abilities for nefarious purposes, Charlie goes on the run and gets mixed up in more crimes.
Johnson says that it’s a “how to catch ‘em” rather than a whodunnit as the crime is front and center in each episode.
But while there’s one story that arcs through the ten-episode season, one involving Benjamin Bratt’s security expert, it’s ostensibly a procedural.
Lyonne said that she loved characters such as Peter Falk’s Columbo, Elliott Gould’s Philip Marlowe in The Long Goodbye...
Lyonne stars as Charlie, an effortlessly cool, cheap beer drinking woman with a preternatural ability to solve crimes. After a casino boss seeks her out to use her abilities for nefarious purposes, Charlie goes on the run and gets mixed up in more crimes.
Johnson says that it’s a “how to catch ‘em” rather than a whodunnit as the crime is front and center in each episode.
But while there’s one story that arcs through the ten-episode season, one involving Benjamin Bratt’s security expert, it’s ostensibly a procedural.
Lyonne said that she loved characters such as Peter Falk’s Columbo, Elliott Gould’s Philip Marlowe in The Long Goodbye...
- 1/15/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
A new murder-mystery every episode on a weekly basis? What a concept!
Rian Johnson is currently enjoying an impossibly hot hand, turning everything he touches into gold (if you'll excuse the mixed metaphor) between his three-film run that includes "Star Wars: The Last Jedi," 2019's "Knives Out," and the highly-anticipated follow-up "Glass Onion." In all honesty, it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to say that the Daniel Craig-starring Benoit Blanc franchise has singlehandedly invigorated audience interest in murder-mysteries in general. While the rest of the industry is still working on making up for lost time, Johnson continues to spearhead these efforts with yet another story ripped from the classic genre. This time, he's taking his talents from the big screen back to television -- which, lest we forget, is where he found such great success directing two of the most acclaimed episodes of "Breaking Bad."
"Poker Face" was announced to great fanfare,...
Rian Johnson is currently enjoying an impossibly hot hand, turning everything he touches into gold (if you'll excuse the mixed metaphor) between his three-film run that includes "Star Wars: The Last Jedi," 2019's "Knives Out," and the highly-anticipated follow-up "Glass Onion." In all honesty, it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to say that the Daniel Craig-starring Benoit Blanc franchise has singlehandedly invigorated audience interest in murder-mysteries in general. While the rest of the industry is still working on making up for lost time, Johnson continues to spearhead these efforts with yet another story ripped from the classic genre. This time, he's taking his talents from the big screen back to television -- which, lest we forget, is where he found such great success directing two of the most acclaimed episodes of "Breaking Bad."
"Poker Face" was announced to great fanfare,...
- 1/5/2023
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
Rian Johnson is becoming something of a marvel for streaming TV.
His Knives Out followup Glass Onion had a remarkable start this Christmas, and he's ready to take on mysteries in series form.
Peacock released the Official Trailer for Poker Face, which Rian created, writes, directs, and produces.
Rian and series star, Natasha Lyonne, shared their thoughts in a press release about how the series came to be.
Never let it be said that scintillating conversation over dinner can't amount to something much more.
Their shared love of detective shows and what makes them so infinately relatable -- exploring new worlds, incredible guest stars as killers and victims, and the scrappy protaganist you can't wait to see solve the case -- led to Lyonne's character, Charlie, the driving force behind Poker Face.
Viewers take a cross-country trip with Charlie, who can spot a lie from a mile away.
The human...
His Knives Out followup Glass Onion had a remarkable start this Christmas, and he's ready to take on mysteries in series form.
Peacock released the Official Trailer for Poker Face, which Rian created, writes, directs, and produces.
Rian and series star, Natasha Lyonne, shared their thoughts in a press release about how the series came to be.
Never let it be said that scintillating conversation over dinner can't amount to something much more.
Their shared love of detective shows and what makes them so infinately relatable -- exploring new worlds, incredible guest stars as killers and victims, and the scrappy protaganist you can't wait to see solve the case -- led to Lyonne's character, Charlie, the driving force behind Poker Face.
Viewers take a cross-country trip with Charlie, who can spot a lie from a mile away.
The human...
- 1/5/2023
- by Carissa Pavlica
- TVfanatic
Peacock dropped the trailer for “Poker Face” Thursday, introducing Charlie, a woman on the run who has an uncanny ability to tell when people are lying to her and uses that skill to help solve murders and mysteries.
The show, which marks the television debut of “Knives Out” director Rian Johnson, launches Jan. 26 with four episodes. The remaining hourlong segments of the 10-show mystery series will drop on Thursdays.
The trailer teases that the show is “from the mind of” Johnson. “The Last Jedi” filmmaker is also credited as creator, writer and executive producer. He described the show last year as a “case-of-the-week” drama.
Also Read:
25 Most Anticipated TV Shows of 2023
Also listed as an executive producer is Natasha Lyonne, the “Orange is the New Black” veteran who stars in the show as Charlie. In it, she drives her Plymouth Barracuda across the country, where she meets what Peacock presented...
The show, which marks the television debut of “Knives Out” director Rian Johnson, launches Jan. 26 with four episodes. The remaining hourlong segments of the 10-show mystery series will drop on Thursdays.
The trailer teases that the show is “from the mind of” Johnson. “The Last Jedi” filmmaker is also credited as creator, writer and executive producer. He described the show last year as a “case-of-the-week” drama.
Also Read:
25 Most Anticipated TV Shows of 2023
Also listed as an executive producer is Natasha Lyonne, the “Orange is the New Black” veteran who stars in the show as Charlie. In it, she drives her Plymouth Barracuda across the country, where she meets what Peacock presented...
- 1/5/2023
- by Eileen AJ Connelly
- The Wrap
Hot off his Netflix murder mystery hit “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,” Rian Johnson is bringing a fresh set of puzzles to Peacock with “Poker Face,” starring Natasha Lyonne and streaming Jan. 26.
The series includes 10 self-contained mysteries, one for each hour-long episode, as viewers follow Charlie Cale (Lyonne) as she hits the road and solves strange crimes.
Guest stars include Adrien Brody, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Chloë Sevigny, Tim Meadows, Benjamin Bratt, Hong Chau, Ron Perlman, Stephanie Hsu, Lil Rel Howery and Luis Guzmán.
The first four episodes will launch on Jan. 26, followed by new episodes streaming Thursdays on Peacock.
“Never underestimate the power of a good dinner conversation between friends. What started as a discussion over steak frites about detective shows and what made them such a reliable pleasure — the exploration of little worlds within each new setting, the guest stars playing killers and victims, and most importantly, a scrappy...
The series includes 10 self-contained mysteries, one for each hour-long episode, as viewers follow Charlie Cale (Lyonne) as she hits the road and solves strange crimes.
Guest stars include Adrien Brody, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Chloë Sevigny, Tim Meadows, Benjamin Bratt, Hong Chau, Ron Perlman, Stephanie Hsu, Lil Rel Howery and Luis Guzmán.
The first four episodes will launch on Jan. 26, followed by new episodes streaming Thursdays on Peacock.
“Never underestimate the power of a good dinner conversation between friends. What started as a discussion over steak frites about detective shows and what made them such a reliable pleasure — the exploration of little worlds within each new setting, the guest stars playing killers and victims, and most importantly, a scrappy...
- 1/5/2023
- by Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety Film + TV
Natasha Lyonne has an uncanny ability to tell when people are lying in the upcoming Peacock series, Poker Face.
The series hails from Knives Out and The Last Jedi helmer Rian Johnson. Throughout the 10-episode series, Lyonne’s Charlie shows off that preternatural ability by using it to solve crimes.
Among those crimes is a mysterious murder involving a host of characters, including Lil Rel Howery as a town sheriff who insists there was no foul play. In a new trailer released Thursday Lyonne explains “there’s nothing mystical” about her lie detecting abilities, adding: “I can just tell.”
After someone seeks her out to use her abilities (likely for nefarious purposes), Charlie goes on the run — but she continues to solve crimes along the way. The new trailer is linked below.
Other guest stars will include Adrien Brody, Angel Desai, Audrey Corsa, Benjamin Bratt, Brandon Michael Hall, Charles Melton,...
The series hails from Knives Out and The Last Jedi helmer Rian Johnson. Throughout the 10-episode series, Lyonne’s Charlie shows off that preternatural ability by using it to solve crimes.
Among those crimes is a mysterious murder involving a host of characters, including Lil Rel Howery as a town sheriff who insists there was no foul play. In a new trailer released Thursday Lyonne explains “there’s nothing mystical” about her lie detecting abilities, adding: “I can just tell.”
After someone seeks her out to use her abilities (likely for nefarious purposes), Charlie goes on the run — but she continues to solve crimes along the way. The new trailer is linked below.
Other guest stars will include Adrien Brody, Angel Desai, Audrey Corsa, Benjamin Bratt, Brandon Michael Hall, Charles Melton,...
- 1/5/2023
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
Glass Onion Producer Ram Bergman Says There's Nothing Like Rian Johnson's Poker Face On TV Right Now
The runaway success of 2019's "Knives Out" all but singled-handedly ushered in a shiny era of playful, winking murder mysteries and whodunits, from "See How They Run" (read /FIlm's review of the film here) to "Only Murders in the Building" and the sequel "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery." In a way, the first "Knives Out" movie also brought series writer/director Rian Johnson back to the roots of his first feature film: 2005's off-beat hardboiled noir meets Californian teen dramedy "Brick."
Am I saying this was all part of an elaborate plan Johnson's been working on for almost two decades? I'm not not saying that.
If you thought Johnson has satisfied his appetite for stories about eccentric sleuths solving murder-related crimes with his ongoing efforts on the "Knives Out" films, guess again. He's also created the Peacock series "Poker Face," a sort of spiritual successor to the long-running 1970s...
Am I saying this was all part of an elaborate plan Johnson's been working on for almost two decades? I'm not not saying that.
If you thought Johnson has satisfied his appetite for stories about eccentric sleuths solving murder-related crimes with his ongoing efforts on the "Knives Out" films, guess again. He's also created the Peacock series "Poker Face," a sort of spiritual successor to the long-running 1970s...
- 11/18/2022
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
On Wednesday, Peacock released the first official trailer for the upcoming comedy-drama murder mystery series “Poker Face,” which was created by “Glass Onion” writer and director Rian Johnson and is executive produced by star Natasha Lyonne.
The show follows a young woman named Charlie (Lyonne), who has an “extraordinary ability to determine when someone is lying. She hits the road with her Plymouth Barracuda and with every stop encounters a new cast of characters and strange crimes she can’t help but solve.”
You can take a look at the trailer here:
In addition to the teaser for the show, Johnson and Lyonne – both of whom have found success on Netflix with, respectively “Glass Onion” (a hit on the festival circuit and out later this year) and “Russian Doll” – released a statement about the series.
“Never underestimate the power of a good dinner conversation between friends. What started as a...
The show follows a young woman named Charlie (Lyonne), who has an “extraordinary ability to determine when someone is lying. She hits the road with her Plymouth Barracuda and with every stop encounters a new cast of characters and strange crimes she can’t help but solve.”
You can take a look at the trailer here:
In addition to the teaser for the show, Johnson and Lyonne – both of whom have found success on Netflix with, respectively “Glass Onion” (a hit on the festival circuit and out later this year) and “Russian Doll” – released a statement about the series.
“Never underestimate the power of a good dinner conversation between friends. What started as a...
- 10/26/2022
- by Caillou Pettis
- Gold Derby
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