June 2, 2023 • 26 mins
Get ready for an exhilarating episode of Pop Culture Weekly as Kyle McMahon takes you with him to New York City for the Red Carpet premiere of the phenomenal Apple TV+ limited series, The Crowded Room! You won't want to miss his exclusive interviews with the superstar cast, including Henry Eikenberry, Zachary Gallenger and Emmy winner Amanda Seyfried. We dive deep into the heart of this dramatic, twisty psychological thriller set in the late 70s in Manhattan and explore the powerful message the series carries.
But wait, there's more! Kyle also had the pleasure of sitting down with the extraordinary cast of Amazon Prime Video's series With Love to discuss Season 2. Hear from Isis King, Desmond Chia, Constance Marie, Todd Grinnell, Benito Martinez, Mark Indelicato, Vincent Rodriguez III and Emeraude Toubia as they open up about the importance of authentic representation, the refreshing and unique aspects of the series, and how it shatters stereotypes. Discover how art imitates life in this heartwarming show that delves into the complexities of family, love, and life with joy, acceptance, and a healthy dose of reality. So, grab your headphones and let's celebrate together!
Kyle McMahon's Death, Grief & Other Sh*t We Don't Discuss is now streaming: https://www.deathandgrief.show/Chapter-One-The-Diagnosis-AKA-WTF/
---------------
Get all the Pop Culture Weekly podcast info you could want including extra content, uncut interviews, photos, videos & transcripts at: https://podcast.popcultureweekly.com
Watch celebrity interviews at: https://www.facebook.com/realkylemcmahon/videos
or Kyle McMahon YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/officialkylemcmahon
Read the latest at http://www.PopCultureWeekly.com
Follow Kyle on:
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kmacmusic
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/realkylemcmahon
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YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/officialkylemcmahon
Website: http://www.kylemcmahon.me
Pop Culture Weekly twitter: http://www.twitter.com/popculturepodca
But wait, there's more! Kyle also had the pleasure of sitting down with the extraordinary cast of Amazon Prime Video's series With Love to discuss Season 2. Hear from Isis King, Desmond Chia, Constance Marie, Todd Grinnell, Benito Martinez, Mark Indelicato, Vincent Rodriguez III and Emeraude Toubia as they open up about the importance of authentic representation, the refreshing and unique aspects of the series, and how it shatters stereotypes. Discover how art imitates life in this heartwarming show that delves into the complexities of family, love, and life with joy, acceptance, and a healthy dose of reality. So, grab your headphones and let's celebrate together!
Kyle McMahon's Death, Grief & Other Sh*t We Don't Discuss is now streaming: https://www.deathandgrief.show/Chapter-One-The-Diagnosis-AKA-WTF/
---------------
Get all the Pop Culture Weekly podcast info you could want including extra content, uncut interviews, photos, videos & transcripts at: https://podcast.popcultureweekly.com
Watch celebrity interviews at: https://www.facebook.com/realkylemcmahon/videos
or Kyle McMahon YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/officialkylemcmahon
Read the latest at http://www.PopCultureWeekly.com
Follow Kyle on:
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kmacmusic
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/realkylemcmahon
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/kmacmusic
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/officialkylemcmahon
Website: http://www.kylemcmahon.me
Pop Culture Weekly twitter: http://www.twitter.com/popculturepodca
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
In this week's episode of pop CultureWeekly, I am at the red carpet
premiere in New York of the CrowdedRoom, and I talk with the cast
of With Love. Let's go Welcometo pop Culture Weekly with Kyle McMahon from
my Heart Radio, your pop culturenews, views, reviews and celebrity interviews
on all the movies, TV,music and pop culture yu Crebe Weekly.
(00:23):
Here's Kyle McMahon, Nona, Hello, and welcome the pop Culture Weekly with
Kyle McMahon. I of course amKyle McMahon, and we have a packed
show this week. I am herelive in New York for the red carpet
premiere of the brand new Apple TVPlus show The Crowded Room, which is
(00:45):
so good. It stars Amanda Sifredand Tom Holland. And I talk with
the cast on the red carpet andI talk with the cast for sit down
interviews of With Love, which isseason two is coming out exclusively on Prime
Video June second, which is todayor it was June second, depending on
(01:11):
when you're listening to this. Sowe've got a great show lined up for
you. Let's start with the redcarpet interviews. I have a whole host
of talent from the incredible Apple TVPlus series The Crowded Room. When I
tell you how much I love thisshow, I can't really say much about
(01:34):
it because it's so twisty and turnyand just a really really great series.
It's a drama takes place in thelate seventies in Manhattan and a man is
arrested for a crime. I don'treally want to tell you what, but
in any event, it very muchplays out like a play in many ways.
(01:57):
It is really really good, edgeof your seat, dramatic, twisty
like psychological thriller, I guess youcould say. And it stars Tom Holland,
who is incredible in this, AmandaSeyfrid, who is incredible in this.
The whole cast is incredible. Solet's see who shows up on the
(02:17):
red carpet and let's just get rightinto it. Okay, Hey, what's
up. It's Kyle McMahon, iHeartRadio'sPop culture weekly. I am here live
in New York at the Museum ofModern Art for the premiere. The world
premiere of Apple TV Plus is TheCrowded Room. It's executive produced by Tom
(02:40):
Holland. It stars Tom and Amanusseafried and an incredible cast. I did
get to see a number of theepisodes in it is an incredible, incredible
series that you definitely don't want tomiss. So I'm gonna have interviews with
the cast and crew of the CrowdedRoom on Apple TV Plus. All right,
(03:05):
so it looks like I'll be speakingwith Henry. I can Barry first.
Let's see what Henry has to say. So, first of all,
congratulations. Of course I saw theseries. It's absolutely incredible. I haven't
seen it. Oh you haven't seenany one on me there? Yeah?
All right, Well, well Iwas going to ask you, what is
this moment like for you? Youknow, you worked on this project for
(03:25):
a while. You know, itwas what last year up until November or
something, and then now it's here. You're at MoMA, you know,
for the premiere. I've been hereon so many school trips and never would
I think I'd be here for apremiere a show that I'm in. It's
a it's a dream come true.And to work with everyone on this cast,
(03:46):
I'm so grateful. And what doesthe project mean to you? You
know it really I'm trying to bea spoiler free as possible. It's really
hard. I've I've read the wholething. I feel like I can't speak
on it without spoiling That's the lastthing I want to do, exactly right.
Yeah, but so I think,you know what I think. I
think it brings a lot of attentionto mental health and you know, check
(04:10):
in on your peers or just youknow, even if you're not the closest
check in. Awesome. I loveit, man, Enjoy enjoy this.
Thank you, thank you, ThanksHenry Iikenberry. And let's say, next
up on the carpet is Zachary Gallinger. Let's talk to Zachary. All right,
(04:31):
So what's it like. You're hereat the premiere of the Crowded Room
in New York at MoMA. What'sthat moment like for you? Well,
it's an amazing experience to be here. I wasn't expecting all of this to
have and so quick. It wasjust amazing to get this role and to
have this entire experience working with EmmyRosson and plays my mom in the Crowded
Room, and working with the KivaGoldsman forrn Elman Drisco is my director in
(04:55):
multiple episodes. It was just anamazing experience overall. And how about now
now that you're here at the premiere, Like, you know, now that
part of the work is over right, the acting part. Now you're like
it's debuting to the world. Whatdoes that moment feel like for you?
Well, it's fantastic, it's amazing. At the same time, it's sort
of nerve racking. Well, yeah, you're doing a great job, buddy,
(05:18):
and you did a great job inthe series. Thank you, of
course, Zachary Gallander. I seeAmanda Seiford coming up, and who knows,
maybe I'll have a sit down interviewwith her at some point too,
maybe in the next week's episode.You never know. Let's talk with Amanda.
(05:41):
What is this moment like for you? You're here at the premiere in
New York City at MoMA yere agowe were shooting. It feels good.
It's tricky to release, you know, because it's it's some tough subject matter
and it's also as as entertaining asit is and as like twisty as it
is. Um, it's got ait's got a real gut punch of an
(06:03):
important message and just so people getit, I hope people come away with
something more than just entertainment. Um, because we're telling we're telling real stories.
This is not a drill. Yeah, congratulations on this. This is
such a powerful series and uh andI can't wait for the world to see
(06:23):
it. Yeah, Younger's crossed manythank you. I appreciate you. Amanda
Seyfrid. Of course I talked toher, um about her Emmy winning turn
in the Toronto's series The Dropout,and I talked to William H. Macy
and all that. We'll put thelinks in the show notes. Um.
(06:46):
All right, So that is ourred carpet interviews. It's crazy because Tom
Holland was right next to me waiting. He was being interviewed by the wonderful
woman next to me, and thenhe finished with her and I was still
talking to Amanda. So his awesomepublicist was like, you know, obviously
didn't want him standing there at hisown premiere waiting around, you know,
(07:11):
to talk to me. So sohe went in to you know, go
take a seat, and um,and I missed him. I missed Tom
Holland. That's all right. Theseries is amazing, and who knows,
maybe I'll talk to him, youknow, mid season or something. But
in any event, that is thered carpet coverage of Apple TV pluses red
(07:33):
carpet live red carpet coverage at theMuseum of Modern Art, New York City.
Of Apple TV pluses the crowded room. It comes out on June ninth
everywhere, and it is well worthyour time to watch it. So all
right, let's get into my sitdown interviews with the cast of Amazon Prime
(07:56):
Videos series With Love and Two beginsairing everywhere around the world on today on
Today Today, and we're going tostart with Isis King and Todd Grinnelle.
So, first of all, thankyou both for joining me. I really
appreciate it. And congratulations on seasontwo. Thank you, thank you so
(08:20):
much. Thanks of course, ofcourse. So first of all, I
love the series and how it,you know, really deals with family and
love and life in a very frankway. Was that important to you when
you know when taking the role thatit was so authentic, much more so
(08:41):
than I feel like, you knowa lot of media today. Yeah,
I feel like, especially to bea trans person where we don't really get
those opportunities to see love and familyand friendships and career. So to have
the four things, I feel likesomething I've never personally saying for a trans
(09:01):
character. So that was really importantfor me, you know, and a
day and age where trans wikes arebeing strict, I think it's important to
see a trans person we love byall of those compartments and yet to have
that family support, you know,as cool to see a common out story.
But what happens after that, right, what happens as a person progressed
and lives your life? And Ithink that's what we see Soul and their
(09:26):
relationship with Miles, and I thinkit's really beautiful. Ohsome, and how
about for utadd with Miles. Well, I've been lucky enough to know our
showrunner as a dear friend for along time and work with her on one
day at time for years, GloryKeller on Kellt And so going into this,
I knew that all of these storieswe're going to go very deep.
(09:50):
They would be incredibly authentic, they'dbe real, they would be nuanced in
a way that we haven't seen ontelevision before, and that you know,
they would be representation across the wholeshow, um in terms of you know,
the characters, the actors, thewriters, the producers, um.
So that everything was was authentic andconversations would be had that haven't been had
(10:16):
before. And so it was veryeasy for me to know and feel safe
that all that was going to happenand that this was going to be really
groundbreaking and uh and and great.And is that scary for you as an
actor? I mean in um,in this you know, unfortunate climate for
so many people. Um, youknow, with the canceling and all that,
(10:41):
did that ever cross your mind that, oh, this could be scary
as as an actor? I mean, I will just say if if any
of us would be canceled first thestories we're telling on this show, I'm
okay being canceled by the people whowould cancel that. I love that.
And how about for you, sis? I mean, I'm just a trans
(11:05):
person trying to express myself in anartistic way. So you know, it's
it's rare for us and get thistype of opportunity. So I'm just living
in it and I'm so grateful forit, and you're doing an amazing job,
both of you. Finally, iis, you know, do you feel
responsibility because this is really a youknow, groundbreaking role in so many ways.
(11:30):
Does that ever? Are you everlike, uh, you know,
nervous about that, or I thinkbecause of how I came into media fifteen
sixteen years ago, I'm already usedto kind of fill in that weight,
that pressure on. So it's nothingnew, and I always kind of just
do everything knowing that it's someone youngor who who may want to transition,
(11:54):
or even people who may not havemet someone before who was trans they're watching
me. I kind of apply thattoday. I already that's awesome. Thank
you both so much. I can'twait for everybody to see season two and
h and beyond. Thank you,good to see you. Thank you you
as well. Have a great day. Isis and Todd. Season two is
(12:16):
really great. I love how creativethe show is. Like every episode takes
place and on a different holiday,and it all revolves around this family that
very much reflects a lot of familiestoday. So really good show. Let's
keep it going. Mark and Delicadoand Vincent Rodriguez the third. First of
(12:37):
all, thank you both Mark andVincent for speaking with me about with love.
I really appreciate it. Sure andcongratulate, thank you and congratulations on
season two. It really is aspecial show that authentically I think captures family
and life and relationships in a waythat not many other shows do. Is
(13:03):
that part of the appeal for youas actors, you know, doing these
roles. Sure, I mean Ithink that you know, you hear actors
talk about it all the time.It's kind of become like a cliche at
this point of like, I needto make sure that it's authentic, and
I need to be you know,and sometimes it can get a little actory
(13:24):
for me. But but when youwhen you have a jumping off point of
something that feels so real to youthat you can actually and by real,
I mean like relate to where youcan see yourself in the you know,
in this world, in this character, in these relationships. You know,
for me personally as an actor,it's always very nice to have something written
(13:48):
that you're going to work to do, but be able to pull from your
own life and certain experience that you'vehad. And I think that a lot
of the stuff that we deal withon with Love because we have such a
big ensemble last you know, Ithink that everyone viewers and actors alike can
relate to the situation in some way, whether they're you know, on the
(14:09):
other side of it or or youknow, in the situation that their characters
in So yeah, I think thatthe more real it feels when it's jumping
off the page, the more realit's going to feel when we're actually,
you know, making it. Ilove that. And how about for you,
Vincent Well, I think part ofwhat makes this show feel so real
and resonant with the audience that hasfound us is actually goes back to how
(14:33):
Gloria Keller on Kelly, our creator, showrunner, and head writer, incepted
the show. It was during thepandemic. She was turning on the TV
and social media and she saw shesaw nothing but pain and suffering and struggle
with her friends and her family andlike, you know, the people the
(14:54):
community she belongs to, and she'slike, where's the where's the love and
the joy in the romance? Youknow, like that exists too, we
should see something like that. Andthen she got this idea for With Love
and so so With Love really representswhat is already out there in the world,
what is real and true, butnow it's being told like through this
(15:15):
authentic lens, highlighting a Latino familywho does break the stereotypes. And we
do that throughout the show in somany different refreshing ways, and I think
it's a true testament to like howart can come from life like this show
is. It was birthed to impactthe world in a positive way, and
(15:37):
now more than ever, we reallyneed that. So thanks for saying that,
Kyle, that that you recognize itsauthenticity, because we definitely feel that
as a cast, and we definitelyfeel that authenticity with our characters, especially
since Gloria embraces this kind of collaboration, you know, once we're on set,
and that's that's definitely fueled the funand the um and and the magic
(16:03):
that we feel on the show.I love that. Thank you both so
much. I can't wait for everybodyto see season two of With Love.
Thank you, Thanks Mark and Vincent. They have an awesome storyline this season
that you don't want to miss.Next up, the parents, the matriarch
(16:25):
and patriarch of the family, Constance, Marie and Benito Martinez. First of
all, welcome and secondly, congratulationson season two of With Love. I'm
really enjoying this series, and uhand I think it's so authentic and real
in a way that so much othermedia is not today and um so I
(16:48):
think it's a really important series aswell as enjoyable. Thank you. That
was wonderful. Thank you of course, so for you as actors, you
know, I'm sure that that's partof the allure in doing it is having
this series that is so you know, authentic and representative of so many people's
(17:14):
lives out there. That is thattrue for you? Indeed, oh a
thousand percent. One of the greatthings about this is not only is it
written so well, where the conversationsfeel so true and so authentic and connected
that it almost seems like there's noacting required if you are really into the
(17:36):
character that you have. Benito andmyself have had wonderful scenes together, but
it focuses on the full human experienceif it has so many, so much
representation. We have so much diversityagewise, we have diversity, race wise,
we have trans AAPI, Latin Xcommunity, African American, we have
(17:57):
older, we have younger, wehave middle aged. I mean, it's
it's kind of like life, andit's accepting and treats all those different demographics
and humans with respect and with love, and that is my favorite thing about
this show. And with George,we have a blast. I mean,
(18:18):
dude, it's just joke after jokeand laugh after everybody can sing on the
side, every actor can sing,and they all can dance, and she
Conscience never stops dancing. Her andemerand her dance parties off to the side.
Vinnie is like doing Broadway dancing.So off camera we're having a blast
NonStop. But on camera, youknow what's wonderful and just piggyback. What
(18:40):
Conscience was saying is we we don'tshy away from these difficult questions and the
pain that is part of life.But we also, you know, embrace
it with a hug, you know, and with honesty and with hard words
sometimes. But it is based inlove, and it is based in by
me behind. It is based inreality as much as possible. It's a
(19:02):
joy to come to work on thisshow. The words are there, the
writing is there that the directors arethere, the sets there, we all
are dressed in beautiful wardrobe there.Oh yes, the sets are amazing.
So I mean, it's it's it'sjust a winner all the way. And
the product the final show is sodamn good. I mean, I just
(19:23):
I want the whole world to seeit, because the more people to see
the show, the more people willfall in love. With this show.
It is that good. Well,I also have to say that if anybody
wants to see the bad guy andthe mom explore and redefine their sexuality,
we're doing it over here with Love. You never see it anywhere else.
Kim Contrell maybe once a while onSex in the City, but we gott
(19:45):
of here. We're holding it downwith Love absolutely. And I got to
say, you know, speaking allof the talent, that is one cast
party that I would love to attendbecause with all of the talents of all
of you, it's got to bea great time. Um. And and
just you know, I'm almost ata time, but I just wanted to
again, you know, thank youboth. This this series is it's just
(20:08):
done in such a way that youdon't see uh and and family and life
is complicated and um and you know, with Love is not afraid to uh
to go there and explore those complicationsin a in a real way. So
I think that's it's such a hugething. Um. You know that the
show brings to to culture. Holdon, Yeah, that's well said,
(20:32):
man, Thank you. Yeah,and wean the world needs it right now.
I really think we need more joy, more acceptance, and more love
and you have it with love thatI love that. Thank you both so
much. I can't wait for everybodyto see season two and beyond. Yes,
season three. You got to dothis otherwise it doesn't come. Sorry
(20:53):
sorry, yeah, yeah yeah seasonthree and I am by the way,
thank you both so much. Ireally appreciate your time. Constance Marie and
Benito Martinez love love love them.And now m Arold to be a Rome
(21:15):
Flynn and Desmond Chiam who are reallythis series you know, basically revolves around
them, So let's get right intoit. Mrod to be a Rome Flynn
and Desmond Chia. This series isso um unique in my opinion. It's
(21:36):
very authentic and real and uh anddeals with real issues in an authentic way,
which I feel like so much UMmedia doesn't today. Is that part
of the appeal for you as asactors when you are you know, um
looking at a role like this likewow, this is this is happening,
(21:56):
It's what it's what we need.It's to our community, nick Um.
For me, my character more thananything is like it's she's dealing with the
things that I am dealing with asa person with my girlfriends are dealing with
as a person as well as yeahsas them. You know, we're constantly
struggling with finding love, with ourfamily's expectations, with societal expectations that we
(22:17):
kind of forget, and you loseourselves within all that. So it's like,
how do you find your happiness?How do you really take time for
yourself and navigate all the things youwant and find your happy medium? So
to me is like stuff that allwomen go through. And you know,
I love that she's in a waya cocktail of emotions. She's starting from
rock bottom in season two, butmore than anything, I want to see
(22:37):
her journey because I feel so manywomen are going to relate to and that
is what what excites me most aboutmy character. I love that. How
about for you Romm, what wasthe question? Is it the authenticity of
the series that has Oh? Yeah, I mean that's that's what I mean.
(22:59):
I speak for myself, you know, strive for that personally, to
try to find roles that um imitatelife in a way where I feel are
responsible to to portray that, youknow, for the world, and this
show is you know, kind ofthat in a nutshell. Um, the
different characters, different gender is differentrepresentation everything, you know, the way
(23:22):
that this show has been able tokind of put all these things together seamlessly.
Um, it's really a treat forpeople. And you know, I'm
excited for people to see season two. And how about for you, Desmond.
I mean, yeah, I thinkthat's one of the things that we
lose when you when the moment yougo into the concept of like genres right,
like comedy, drama, and itlike real life doesn't happen that way.
(23:44):
And I think, um, Gloriahas a really really good voice as
far as for me, like traumaand drama come with a healthy, healthy
evening of comedy. That that's howThat's how like my family, that's that's
the language you speaking. A lotof my friends we speak, you know,
things that are horrible and terrible andtough funny also at the same time.
And I think that's something that theshow taps into really really really really
(24:07):
well. I mean, these peoplethey joke around, but it's about sometimes
pretty serious like emotional stuff, andit's just how people talk. It's what
emeralds it. It's how people speak. Um. And and that I think
belies that not belizes, but undependsthat sort of reality of the show and
for me, very easy job thewords from the page to say in them.
It's it's it's easy to keep itconsistent and real because of that.
(24:32):
I love that Emerald for you.You know there, do you feel like
as you're reading the script, likeyou're wanting to know what happens you know
on the journey, like you know, now know what happens. I want
to get to do whatever. SeeI mean some really nice fantasies. I
mean I get to make out withboth of these men. So yes,
(24:52):
it's just tell me what why Iget to shoot this? Please? Now
today we know we know there waslike one little, one little sequence with
with with many many people involved thatyou were like, oh, yeah,
we can do this will be funny. I love that. Thank you all
so much for speaking with me.I really appreciate it, and I can't
wait for everybody to see season twoof With Love Ali. Thanks Cayled,
(25:18):
have a great day. I'm aroundroom and Desmond. Great actors, great
cast, great show. I lovehow every episode of the show takes place
on a different holiday. Really creativeshow. You gotta see it Amazon Prime
(25:38):
Video out right now. So thatis our show for this week. Next
week I'll be sitting down with thecast of The Crowded Room having a little
bit more in depth interviews and youknow, yeah, the Crowded Room is
out everywhere on Apple TV plus Juneninth, With Love At Season two is
(26:03):
out right now on as Amazon PrimeVideo. I Love You, I'll see
you next week. We out Thankyou for listening to pop Culture Weekly.
Here all the latest at pop CultureWeekly dot com, Crowded Room and we
(26:25):
love, we love in the CrowdedRoom with the Crowded Room, Love crowding
with Love Room. Yeah,
In this week's episode of pop CultureWeekly, I am at the red carpet
premiere in New York of the CrowdedRoom, and I talk with the cast
of With Love. Let's go Welcometo pop Culture Weekly with Kyle McMahon from
my Heart Radio, your pop culturenews, views, reviews and celebrity interviews
on all the movies, TV,music and pop culture yu Crebe Weekly.
(00:23):
Here's Kyle McMahon, Nona, Hello, and welcome the pop Culture Weekly with
Kyle McMahon. I of course amKyle McMahon, and we have a packed
show this week. I am herelive in New York for the red carpet
premiere of the brand new Apple TVPlus show The Crowded Room, which is
(00:45):
so good. It stars Amanda Sifredand Tom Holland. And I talk with
the cast on the red carpet andI talk with the cast for sit down
interviews of With Love, which isseason two is coming out exclusively on Prime
Video June second, which is todayor it was June second, depending on
(01:11):
when you're listening to this. Sowe've got a great show lined up for
you. Let's start with the redcarpet interviews. I have a whole host
of talent from the incredible Apple TVPlus series The Crowded Room. When I
tell you how much I love thisshow, I can't really say much about
(01:34):
it because it's so twisty and turnyand just a really really great series.
It's a drama takes place in thelate seventies in Manhattan and a man is
arrested for a crime. I don'treally want to tell you what, but
in any event, it very muchplays out like a play in many ways.
(01:57):
It is really really good, edgeof your seat, dramatic, twisty
like psychological thriller, I guess youcould say. And it stars Tom Holland,
who is incredible in this, AmandaSeyfrid, who is incredible in this.
The whole cast is incredible. Solet's see who shows up on the
(02:17):
red carpet and let's just get rightinto it. Okay, Hey, what's
up. It's Kyle McMahon, iHeartRadio'sPop culture weekly. I am here live
in New York at the Museum ofModern Art for the premiere. The world
premiere of Apple TV Plus is TheCrowded Room. It's executive produced by Tom
(02:40):
Holland. It stars Tom and Amanusseafried and an incredible cast. I did
get to see a number of theepisodes in it is an incredible, incredible
series that you definitely don't want tomiss. So I'm gonna have interviews with
the cast and crew of the CrowdedRoom on Apple TV Plus. All right,
(03:05):
so it looks like I'll be speakingwith Henry. I can Barry first.
Let's see what Henry has to say. So, first of all,
congratulations. Of course I saw theseries. It's absolutely incredible. I haven't
seen it. Oh you haven't seenany one on me there? Yeah?
All right, Well, well Iwas going to ask you, what is
this moment like for you? Youknow, you worked on this project for
(03:25):
a while. You know, itwas what last year up until November or
something, and then now it's here. You're at MoMA, you know,
for the premiere. I've been hereon so many school trips and never would
I think I'd be here for apremiere a show that I'm in. It's
a it's a dream come true.And to work with everyone on this cast,
(03:46):
I'm so grateful. And what doesthe project mean to you? You
know it really I'm trying to bea spoiler free as possible. It's really
hard. I've I've read the wholething. I feel like I can't speak
on it without spoiling That's the lastthing I want to do, exactly right.
Yeah, but so I think,you know what I think. I
think it brings a lot of attentionto mental health and you know, check
(04:10):
in on your peers or just youknow, even if you're not the closest
check in. Awesome. I loveit, man, Enjoy enjoy this.
Thank you, thank you, ThanksHenry Iikenberry. And let's say, next
up on the carpet is Zachary Gallinger. Let's talk to Zachary. All right,
(04:31):
So what's it like. You're hereat the premiere of the Crowded Room
in New York at MoMA. What'sthat moment like for you? Well,
it's an amazing experience to be here. I wasn't expecting all of this to
have and so quick. It wasjust amazing to get this role and to
have this entire experience working with EmmyRosson and plays my mom in the Crowded
Room, and working with the KivaGoldsman forrn Elman Drisco is my director in
(04:55):
multiple episodes. It was just anamazing experience overall. And how about now
now that you're here at the premiere, Like, you know, now that
part of the work is over right, the acting part. Now you're like
it's debuting to the world. Whatdoes that moment feel like for you?
Well, it's fantastic, it's amazing. At the same time, it's sort
of nerve racking. Well, yeah, you're doing a great job, buddy,
(05:18):
and you did a great job inthe series. Thank you, of
course, Zachary Gallander. I seeAmanda Seiford coming up, and who knows,
maybe I'll have a sit down interviewwith her at some point too,
maybe in the next week's episode.You never know. Let's talk with Amanda.
(05:41):
What is this moment like for you? You're here at the premiere in
New York City at MoMA yere agowe were shooting. It feels good.
It's tricky to release, you know, because it's it's some tough subject matter
and it's also as as entertaining asit is and as like twisty as it
is. Um, it's got ait's got a real gut punch of an
(06:03):
important message and just so people getit, I hope people come away with
something more than just entertainment. Um, because we're telling we're telling real stories.
This is not a drill. Yeah, congratulations on this. This is
such a powerful series and uh andI can't wait for the world to see
(06:23):
it. Yeah, Younger's crossed manythank you. I appreciate you. Amanda
Seyfrid. Of course I talked toher, um about her Emmy winning turn
in the Toronto's series The Dropout,and I talked to William H. Macy
and all that. We'll put thelinks in the show notes. Um.
(06:46):
All right, So that is ourred carpet interviews. It's crazy because Tom
Holland was right next to me waiting. He was being interviewed by the wonderful
woman next to me, and thenhe finished with her and I was still
talking to Amanda. So his awesomepublicist was like, you know, obviously
didn't want him standing there at hisown premiere waiting around, you know,
(07:11):
to talk to me. So sohe went in to you know, go
take a seat, and um,and I missed him. I missed Tom
Holland. That's all right. Theseries is amazing, and who knows,
maybe I'll talk to him, youknow, mid season or something. But
in any event, that is thered carpet coverage of Apple TV pluses red
(07:33):
carpet live red carpet coverage at theMuseum of Modern Art, New York City.
Of Apple TV pluses the crowded room. It comes out on June ninth
everywhere, and it is well worthyour time to watch it. So all
right, let's get into my sitdown interviews with the cast of Amazon Prime
(07:56):
Videos series With Love and Two beginsairing everywhere around the world on today on
Today Today, and we're going tostart with Isis King and Todd Grinnelle.
So, first of all, thankyou both for joining me. I really
appreciate it. And congratulations on seasontwo. Thank you, thank you so
(08:20):
much. Thanks of course, ofcourse. So first of all, I
love the series and how it,you know, really deals with family and
love and life in a very frankway. Was that important to you when
you know when taking the role thatit was so authentic, much more so
(08:41):
than I feel like, you knowa lot of media today. Yeah,
I feel like, especially to bea trans person where we don't really get
those opportunities to see love and familyand friendships and career. So to have
the four things, I feel likesomething I've never personally saying for a trans
(09:01):
character. So that was really importantfor me, you know, and a
day and age where trans wikes arebeing strict, I think it's important to
see a trans person we love byall of those compartments and yet to have
that family support, you know,as cool to see a common out story.
But what happens after that, right, what happens as a person progressed
and lives your life? And Ithink that's what we see Soul and their
(09:26):
relationship with Miles, and I thinkit's really beautiful. Ohsome, and how
about for utadd with Miles. Well, I've been lucky enough to know our
showrunner as a dear friend for along time and work with her on one
day at time for years, GloryKeller on Kellt And so going into this,
I knew that all of these storieswe're going to go very deep.
(09:50):
They would be incredibly authentic, they'dbe real, they would be nuanced in
a way that we haven't seen ontelevision before, and that you know,
they would be representation across the wholeshow, um in terms of you know,
the characters, the actors, thewriters, the producers, um.
So that everything was was authentic andconversations would be had that haven't been had
(10:16):
before. And so it was veryeasy for me to know and feel safe
that all that was going to happenand that this was going to be really
groundbreaking and uh and and great.And is that scary for you as an
actor? I mean in um,in this you know, unfortunate climate for
so many people. Um, youknow, with the canceling and all that,
(10:41):
did that ever cross your mind that, oh, this could be scary
as as an actor? I mean, I will just say if if any
of us would be canceled first thestories we're telling on this show, I'm
okay being canceled by the people whowould cancel that. I love that.
And how about for you, sis? I mean, I'm just a trans
(11:05):
person trying to express myself in anartistic way. So you know, it's
it's rare for us and get thistype of opportunity. So I'm just living
in it and I'm so grateful forit, and you're doing an amazing job,
both of you. Finally, iis, you know, do you feel
responsibility because this is really a youknow, groundbreaking role in so many ways.
(11:30):
Does that ever? Are you everlike, uh, you know,
nervous about that, or I thinkbecause of how I came into media fifteen
sixteen years ago, I'm already usedto kind of fill in that weight,
that pressure on. So it's nothingnew, and I always kind of just
do everything knowing that it's someone youngor who who may want to transition,
(11:54):
or even people who may not havemet someone before who was trans they're watching
me. I kind of apply thattoday. I already that's awesome. Thank
you both so much. I can'twait for everybody to see season two and
h and beyond. Thank you,good to see you. Thank you you
as well. Have a great day. Isis and Todd. Season two is
(12:16):
really great. I love how creativethe show is. Like every episode takes
place and on a different holiday,and it all revolves around this family that
very much reflects a lot of familiestoday. So really good show. Let's
keep it going. Mark and Delicadoand Vincent Rodriguez the third. First of
(12:37):
all, thank you both Mark andVincent for speaking with me about with love.
I really appreciate it. Sure andcongratulate, thank you and congratulations on
season two. It really is aspecial show that authentically I think captures family
and life and relationships in a waythat not many other shows do. Is
(13:03):
that part of the appeal for youas actors, you know, doing these
roles. Sure, I mean Ithink that you know, you hear actors
talk about it all the time.It's kind of become like a cliche at
this point of like, I needto make sure that it's authentic, and
I need to be you know,and sometimes it can get a little actory
(13:24):
for me. But but when youwhen you have a jumping off point of
something that feels so real to youthat you can actually and by real,
I mean like relate to where youcan see yourself in the you know,
in this world, in this character, in these relationships. You know,
for me personally as an actor,it's always very nice to have something written
(13:48):
that you're going to work to do, but be able to pull from your
own life and certain experience that you'vehad. And I think that a lot
of the stuff that we deal withon with Love because we have such a
big ensemble last you know, Ithink that everyone viewers and actors alike can
relate to the situation in some way, whether they're you know, on the
(14:09):
other side of it or or youknow, in the situation that their characters
in So yeah, I think thatthe more real it feels when it's jumping
off the page, the more realit's going to feel when we're actually,
you know, making it. Ilove that. And how about for you,
Vincent Well, I think part ofwhat makes this show feel so real
and resonant with the audience that hasfound us is actually goes back to how
(14:33):
Gloria Keller on Kelly, our creator, showrunner, and head writer, incepted
the show. It was during thepandemic. She was turning on the TV
and social media and she saw shesaw nothing but pain and suffering and struggle
with her friends and her family andlike, you know, the people the
(14:54):
community she belongs to, and she'slike, where's the where's the love and
the joy in the romance? Youknow, like that exists too, we
should see something like that. Andthen she got this idea for With Love
and so so With Love really representswhat is already out there in the world,
what is real and true, butnow it's being told like through this
(15:15):
authentic lens, highlighting a Latino familywho does break the stereotypes. And we
do that throughout the show in somany different refreshing ways, and I think
it's a true testament to like howart can come from life like this show
is. It was birthed to impactthe world in a positive way, and
(15:37):
now more than ever, we reallyneed that. So thanks for saying that,
Kyle, that that you recognize itsauthenticity, because we definitely feel that
as a cast, and we definitelyfeel that authenticity with our characters, especially
since Gloria embraces this kind of collaboration, you know, once we're on set,
and that's that's definitely fueled the funand the um and and the magic
(16:03):
that we feel on the show.I love that. Thank you both so
much. I can't wait for everybodyto see season two of With Love.
Thank you, Thanks Mark and Vincent. They have an awesome storyline this season
that you don't want to miss.Next up, the parents, the matriarch
(16:25):
and patriarch of the family, Constance, Marie and Benito Martinez. First of
all, welcome and secondly, congratulationson season two of With Love. I'm
really enjoying this series, and uhand I think it's so authentic and real
in a way that so much othermedia is not today and um so I
(16:48):
think it's a really important series aswell as enjoyable. Thank you. That
was wonderful. Thank you of course, so for you as actors, you
know, I'm sure that that's partof the allure in doing it is having
this series that is so you know, authentic and representative of so many people's
(17:14):
lives out there. That is thattrue for you? Indeed, oh a
thousand percent. One of the greatthings about this is not only is it
written so well, where the conversationsfeel so true and so authentic and connected
that it almost seems like there's noacting required if you are really into the
(17:36):
character that you have. Benito andmyself have had wonderful scenes together, but
it focuses on the full human experienceif it has so many, so much
representation. We have so much diversityagewise, we have diversity, race wise,
we have trans AAPI, Latin Xcommunity, African American, we have
(17:57):
older, we have younger, wehave middle aged. I mean, it's
it's kind of like life, andit's accepting and treats all those different demographics
and humans with respect and with love, and that is my favorite thing about
this show. And with George,we have a blast. I mean,
(18:18):
dude, it's just joke after jokeand laugh after everybody can sing on the
side, every actor can sing,and they all can dance, and she
Conscience never stops dancing. Her andemerand her dance parties off to the side.
Vinnie is like doing Broadway dancing.So off camera we're having a blast
NonStop. But on camera, youknow what's wonderful and just piggyback. What
(18:40):
Conscience was saying is we we don'tshy away from these difficult questions and the
pain that is part of life.But we also, you know, embrace
it with a hug, you know, and with honesty and with hard words
sometimes. But it is based inlove, and it is based in by
me behind. It is based inreality as much as possible. It's a
(19:02):
joy to come to work on thisshow. The words are there, the
writing is there that the directors arethere, the sets there, we all
are dressed in beautiful wardrobe there.Oh yes, the sets are amazing.
So I mean, it's it's it'sjust a winner all the way. And
the product the final show is sodamn good. I mean, I just
(19:23):
I want the whole world to seeit, because the more people to see
the show, the more people willfall in love. With this show.
It is that good. Well,I also have to say that if anybody
wants to see the bad guy andthe mom explore and redefine their sexuality,
we're doing it over here with Love. You never see it anywhere else.
Kim Contrell maybe once a while onSex in the City, but we gott
(19:45):
of here. We're holding it downwith Love absolutely. And I got to
say, you know, speaking allof the talent, that is one cast
party that I would love to attendbecause with all of the talents of all
of you, it's got to bea great time. Um. And and
just you know, I'm almost ata time, but I just wanted to
again, you know, thank youboth. This this series is it's just
(20:08):
done in such a way that youdon't see uh and and family and life
is complicated and um and you know, with Love is not afraid to uh
to go there and explore those complicationsin a in a real way. So
I think that's it's such a hugething. Um. You know that the
show brings to to culture. Holdon, Yeah, that's well said,
(20:32):
man, Thank you. Yeah,and wean the world needs it right now.
I really think we need more joy, more acceptance, and more love
and you have it with love thatI love that. Thank you both so
much. I can't wait for everybodyto see season two and beyond. Yes,
season three. You got to dothis otherwise it doesn't come. Sorry
(20:53):
sorry, yeah, yeah yeah seasonthree and I am by the way,
thank you both so much. Ireally appreciate your time. Constance Marie and
Benito Martinez love love love them.And now m Arold to be a Rome
(21:15):
Flynn and Desmond Chiam who are reallythis series you know, basically revolves around
them, So let's get right intoit. Mrod to be a Rome Flynn
and Desmond Chia. This series isso um unique in my opinion. It's
(21:36):
very authentic and real and uh anddeals with real issues in an authentic way,
which I feel like so much UMmedia doesn't today. Is that part
of the appeal for you as asactors when you are you know, um
looking at a role like this likewow, this is this is happening,
(21:56):
It's what it's what we need.It's to our community, nick Um.
For me, my character more thananything is like it's she's dealing with the
things that I am dealing with asa person with my girlfriends are dealing with
as a person as well as yeahsas them. You know, we're constantly
struggling with finding love, with ourfamily's expectations, with societal expectations that we
(22:17):
kind of forget, and you loseourselves within all that. So it's like,
how do you find your happiness?How do you really take time for
yourself and navigate all the things youwant and find your happy medium? So
to me is like stuff that allwomen go through. And you know,
I love that she's in a waya cocktail of emotions. She's starting from
rock bottom in season two, butmore than anything, I want to see
(22:37):
her journey because I feel so manywomen are going to relate to and that
is what what excites me most aboutmy character. I love that. How
about for you Romm, what wasthe question? Is it the authenticity of
the series that has Oh? Yeah, I mean that's that's what I mean.
(22:59):
I speak for myself, you know, strive for that personally, to
try to find roles that um imitatelife in a way where I feel are
responsible to to portray that, youknow, for the world, and this
show is you know, kind ofthat in a nutshell. Um, the
different characters, different gender is differentrepresentation everything, you know, the way
(23:22):
that this show has been able tokind of put all these things together seamlessly.
Um, it's really a treat forpeople. And you know, I'm
excited for people to see season two. And how about for you, Desmond.
I mean, yeah, I thinkthat's one of the things that we
lose when you when the moment yougo into the concept of like genres right,
like comedy, drama, and itlike real life doesn't happen that way.
(23:44):
And I think, um, Gloriahas a really really good voice as
far as for me, like traumaand drama come with a healthy, healthy
evening of comedy. That that's howThat's how like my family, that's that's
the language you speaking. A lotof my friends we speak, you know,
things that are horrible and terrible andtough funny also at the same time.
And I think that's something that theshow taps into really really really really
(24:07):
well. I mean, these peoplethey joke around, but it's about sometimes
pretty serious like emotional stuff, andit's just how people talk. It's what
emeralds it. It's how people speak. Um. And and that I think
belies that not belizes, but undependsthat sort of reality of the show and
for me, very easy job thewords from the page to say in them.
It's it's it's easy to keep itconsistent and real because of that.
(24:32):
I love that Emerald for you.You know there, do you feel like
as you're reading the script, likeyou're wanting to know what happens you know
on the journey, like you know, now know what happens. I want
to get to do whatever. SeeI mean some really nice fantasies. I
mean I get to make out withboth of these men. So yes,
(24:52):
it's just tell me what why Iget to shoot this? Please? Now
today we know we know there waslike one little, one little sequence with
with with many many people involved thatyou were like, oh, yeah,
we can do this will be funny. I love that. Thank you all
so much for speaking with me.I really appreciate it, and I can't
wait for everybody to see season twoof With Love Ali. Thanks Cayled,
(25:18):
have a great day. I'm aroundroom and Desmond. Great actors, great
cast, great show. I lovehow every episode of the show takes place
on a different holiday. Really creativeshow. You gotta see it Amazon Prime
(25:38):
Video out right now. So thatis our show for this week. Next
week I'll be sitting down with thecast of The Crowded Room having a little
bit more in depth interviews and youknow, yeah, the Crowded Room is
out everywhere on Apple TV plus Juneninth, With Love At Season two is
(26:03):
out right now on as Amazon PrimeVideo. I Love You, I'll see
you next week. We out Thankyou for listening to pop Culture Weekly.
Here all the latest at pop CultureWeekly dot com, Crowded Room and we
(26:25):
love, we love in the CrowdedRoom with the Crowded Room, Love crowding
with Love Room. Yeah,
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